Creating Our Future with Organizations by Design

  “I will prioritize my physical and mental health  as I work to build a better world.” This statement is more than a mantra—it’s a vital reminder for every change maker who feels the weight of the world on their shoulders. We step into this work driven by a deep desire to create justice, equity, and opportunity for all. But often, in the rush to transform the world around us, we neglect the world within us. The truth is simple but often overlooked:  you cannot pour from an empty cup.  When your mind is clouded by exhaustion, your body drained of energy, and your spirit dimmed by neglect, your ability to create change is diminished. The best work comes from the best version of yourself, and that requires nurturing the very vessel through which your impact flows—you. Why Prioritizing Yourself Isn’t Selfish In the nonprofit and activist worlds, there’s a pervasive culture of martyrdom. Sacrificing sleep, skipping meals, and burning the midnight oil are often seen as ba...

  In general, a decision that stems from any emotion is usually not as sound as one that is based on fact and reason, and perhaps most importantly, your values. Have you had that feeling? The pressure is on. Friends and family are waiting. The bills are mounting. Your self-judgement grows. You finally chose - the car, the apartment, the job. But instead of relief, you feel queasy, uneasy. Thinking it is "only nerves", you move ahead ... but the feeling doesn't go away, instead it intensifies and begins to affect other parts of your life. Can you name that feeling? Fear . When fear begins to control your decision-making abilities, you may notice that not only is your work off-kilter, but your personal life is as well. This occurs when your fear of the future you've chosen becomes so debilitating that you're not able to focus on anything else, even when you try. This is true when you make career decisions out of fear. Sure, the pressures may be mounting to make a c...