Two Things You Need to Do Today
Although no one knows exactly what the world will look like six months from now, we know that the work of United Ways to deal with the fallout of the Coronavirus crisis won’t end when the stay-at-home orders do.
The challenges that existed in your community before the current crisis– hunger, homelessness, ALICE families – have only been exacerbated by the economic fallout of restricted travel and employer furloughs. I know that for many this has led to an exhausting blur of conference calls and Zoom meetings with local leaders as communities work to address the growing list of community needs.
The stress of this crisis has taken a toll on us all, but it has been particularly impactful for those who spend most of their days fixated on helping others impacted. The need for rest and perspective cannot be overstated for anyone working on the frontline of the swell in demand for social services.
For those of you who have been marching the beat of the “one day at a time” mantra, I want to ask you to do two things: one for yourself, and one for your United Way.
1. For Yourself: Take a Moment and Relax
When the world is hectic and you are running from fighting one fire to the next, it can be difficult to find the mental space to address your own needs and concerns. It’s important to take time for yourself to rest and reset. Though you may be busy, consider setting aside 10 minutes in your day to practice taking deep, calming breathes. If you are lucky enough to have 20 or 30 minutes to yourself, spend some time outside. Whether you’re walking or just sitting in the sun, give yourself the space to recharge. You may spend your days busy saving the world, but even superheroes need to carve out time for themselves to rest and recoup.
2. For Your United Way: Look Ahead
In the same way that meeting the immediate needs of your community can exhaust your mental energy, crises also have the ability to keep your United Way from looking to the future. When you are rushing about to fix the immediate problems of today, it can be difficult to remember to stop and look at where your United Way is going in the long-term. In a few months, the immediate effects of this crisis will pass, but it is likely that the crisis will have lingering effects. What those effects will be are impossible for anyone to say for certain. However, it’s important to consider what the effects may be before your United Way will need to deal with them.
For example, if this crisis negatively impacts your upcoming campaign season, will your United Way be prepared? The future is uncertain, but if you intentionally set aside time to consider what the future may hold, your United Way will be infinitely better prepared to tackle whatever comes your way.
Ultimately, the two things I’ve asked you to do are requests for mindfulness: to remember to care for yourself and to take the time to consider what comes next for your United Way. Although I know you have plenty on your plate right now, remembering to practice mindfulness is critical to both your wellbeing and the long-term success of your United Way.