How can you maintain motivation in a social impact career?
Learn from the community’s knowledge. Experts are adding insights into this AI-powered collaborative article, and you could too.
This is a new type of article that we started with the help of AI, and experts are taking it forward by sharing their thoughts directly into each section.
If you’d like to contribute, request an invite by liking or reacting to this article. Learn more
— The LinkedIn Team
Working in a social impact career can be rewarding, challenging, and meaningful. But it can also be stressful, demanding, and exhausting. How can you maintain your motivation and avoid burnout in a field that requires constant dedication, passion, and resilience? Here are some tips to help you stay inspired, energized, and focused on your mission.
One of the most important factors for motivation is alignment between your personal values and your professional goals. When you work for a cause that resonates with your core beliefs, you feel more fulfilled, engaged, and committed. To align your values, you need to identify what matters most to you, what drives you, and what makes you happy. Then, you need to find a role, an organization, or a project that matches your values and allows you to express them through your work.
-
Emily L. Pasnak-Lapchick
Certified Life and Career Coach | Nonprofit and Social Impact Consultant | Supporting you with transitions, addressing burnout, program design, facilitation, & more
One of the most effective ways to identify your values is reflecting on moments throughout your life when you've felt fulfilled, happy, proud, and, purposeful. What are the common elements between those moments? What factors contributed to the feelings of fulfillment, pride, etc.? Who were you with and what role were you playing? Once you've reflected on that, think about which values feel core to who you are and what you care most about, and which might be based on the expectations others have of you. Use your values as a foundation to make choices about the roles you play, your goals, and how you integrate your work and your life to sustain yourself.
-
Taylor Knickel, LSW, SSW
Helping clients build thriving communities through strategy and relationships.
Aligning personal and professional values requires self-awareness and accountability. In my opinion, true social impact (re: systems change) requires the full person and cannot be compartmentalized into "on the clock and off the clock." If we seek to impact the greater community (re: change systems to center communities) we must also practice this change work in our individual lives, families, relationships, neighborhoods, etc. Our values must permeate throughout.
Another key factor for motivation is setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. SMART goals help you clarify your vision, track your progress, celebrate your achievements, and adjust your strategies. They also help you avoid frustration, confusion, and procrastination. To set SMART goals, you need to break down your big vision into smaller, manageable steps, and assign them deadlines, indicators, and rewards. Then, you need to review your goals regularly, and celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.
-
Giovana M.
"International Development | M&E | People Ops | Fundraising | Organizational Development | Nonprofit | +12 years experience | Impact-driven professional
Sustaining motivation in a social impact career and setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals go hand in hand. To stay motivated, it's crucial to keep your passion for the cause alive by continually connecting with the underlying values and purpose that drive your work. SMART goals provide a clear path to maintain this motivation. They help you define precisely what you want to achieve, how to measure your progress, and when to reach your objectives. By setting these goals, you can break down your mission into manageable steps, which not only maintains motivation but also ensures that your efforts are effective and impactful in the long run.
A third factor for motivation is seeking feedback and support from others. Feedback helps you improve your skills, learn from your mistakes, and recognize your strengths. Support helps you cope with stress, overcome challenges, and share your joys. To seek feedback and support, you need to build relationships with people who share your vision, values, and goals. They can be mentors, peers, partners, or friends. You also need to be open to giving and receiving constructive criticism, praise, and advice.
-
Craig Zelizer
Connector, Innovator, Professor, Changemaker, & Social Entrepreneur. Exploring the Future of Work, a More Equitable World + Angel Investing 4 Impact (maxed out on LI connections, please follow)
Being in the company of fellow change agents is essential to get support and insights on the often long hard slog of making change.
-
Giovana M.
"International Development | M&E | People Ops | Fundraising | Organizational Development | Nonprofit | +12 years experience | Impact-driven professional
To maintain motivation in a social impact career, seeking feedback and support is essential. Engaging with feedback and support can help you stay inspired and enhance your impact. Actively seek input from colleagues, mentors, and the communities you serve to gain fresh perspectives on your work. Constructive feedback can provide insights and suggestions for improvement, reinforcing your commitment to making a difference. Additionally, building a robust support network within the social impact sector can provide emotional sustenance and offer resources when challenges arise. Collaborating with like-minded individuals can remind you that you're not alone in your mission and that together, you can achieve more.
A fourth factor for motivation is balancing your workload and your well-being. Working in a social impact career can be demanding and draining. You may face high expectations, limited resources, complex problems, and emotional distress. To balance your workload, you need to prioritize your tasks, delegate when possible, and say no when necessary. To balance your well-being, you need to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. You can do this by getting enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition, practicing mindfulness and relaxation, and pursuing hobbies and interests outside of work.
-
Mike Rios
Head of Digital X @ UNDP | Digital Detox Coach | Unreasonable Mentor
If you find yourself becoming overly critical, cynic, or negative in the social impact space ... take a break. Turn off your phone. Exercise. Get some sleep. Get in nature. Be with friends. Often a loss of motivation is a loss of healthy behaviors. As they say in the airplane, in case of emergencies, put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then help others.
-
Craig Zelizer
Connector, Innovator, Professor, Changemaker, & Social Entrepreneur. Exploring the Future of Work, a More Equitable World + Angel Investing 4 Impact (maxed out on LI connections, please follow)
I'm a staunch proponent of taking deliberate pauses. Introspection and rest aren't just pit stops; they're critical . It's in these moments of stillness that we often find our greatest clarity and strength to persevere.
A fifth factor for motivation is renewing your purpose and reconnecting with your passion. Working in a social impact career can be rewarding and meaningful, but it can also be challenging and discouraging. You may face setbacks, failures, or conflicts that make you question your impact or your direction. To renew your purpose, you need to remind yourself of why you chose this career, what you hope to achieve, and how you make a difference. You can do this by revisiting your mission statement, reflecting on your successes and learnings, and celebrating your milestones and stories.
-
Giovana M.
"International Development | M&E | People Ops | Fundraising | Organizational Development | Nonprofit | +12 years experience | Impact-driven professional
To renew your sense of purpose and maintain motivation, periodically revisit the core reasons that first inspired you to make a difference. Reconnect with the positive changes you've achieved and engage with the communities you aim to serve, witnessing firsthand the impact of your work. Stay open to learning and innovation, set new, values-aligned goals, and collaborate with like-minded organizations. Celebrate your achievements, practice self-care, and seek inspiration from notable figures in the social sector. Regularly reassess your career path and goals to ensure they still resonate with your values and passion. By following these strategies you can renew your purpose and continue to create meaningful change in your social impact career
-
Mike Rios
Head of Digital X @ UNDP | Digital Detox Coach | Unreasonable Mentor
Make a list of what type of work energizes you vs. what drains your energy. I'm not talking about thematic - i.e. children's education - but rather the day-to-day work (aligning stakeholders, facilitating workshops, etc). If you are losing your motivation, chances are you are doing too many things that bring you down. You want to be net positive. How can you do more of the things that energize you?
(edited)
A sixth factor for motivation is keeping learning and growing as a professional and as a person. Working in a social impact career can be stimulating and inspiring, but it can also be repetitive and boring. You may feel stagnant, stuck, or unchallenged in your role or your field. To keep learning and growing, you need to seek new opportunities, experiences, and perspectives that expand your knowledge, skills, and horizons. You can do this by taking courses, attending events, reading books, joining networks, or exploring new fields or sectors.
-
Divya Sharma
WRI India | Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Design Thinking, Human Insights, Social, Economic & Environmental Impact | MITx MicroMasters® | PGDM(C)-MICA
It helps to learn and grow beyond your specialization. Explore new domains, build new networks, read new books, find new role models, strategize to acquire a diverse, complementary skillset. In the world of complex, multidisciplinary social challenges, relying on knowledge and experience in a single domain can be limiting or even counterproductive, and can rob us of all motivation!
(edited) -
Mike Rios
Head of Digital X @ UNDP | Digital Detox Coach | Unreasonable Mentor
Sometimes we lose motivation when we feel stuck. Best antidote? Do something new! Get away from the computer. Get physical. Join a dance class. Go to the gym with a buddy. LEARN PIANO! Become your best version of yourself outside of work and you may find more motivation in your work life too.
(edited)
-
Mike Rios
Head of Digital X @ UNDP | Digital Detox Coach | Unreasonable Mentor
Don't be too serious. Loosen your grip a little bit. Be more playful, be more compassionate. Celebrate the little wins. With the right daily habits, the climb up the mountain can be more enjoyable, even with all the setbacks.
-
Temiloluwa L.
International Lawyer | Sustainable Development | Policy | Climate Change | Environmental Sustainability | Social/Economic Impact | Human Rights/Security | Governance | SDGs | ESG | Views are mine
Remember why you started! Social impact is about creating lasting, sustainable value for others. Remaining conscious of the fact that you're involved in something much bigger than you will keep you on track!