Finding Time to Give Back

We climb the ladder, we get promotions, we get laid off, we invest for our futures, we send emails, text messages and efaxes - but yet it seems we have never been more disconnected from each other as a community. In a world that operates at a dizzying speed, how do we find the time and ways to connect with our communities? And, is it worth the hassle? It seems with the pace of life that people are left with little time or energy at the end of the day.

Americans are competitive and this doesn’t stay on the sporting field. Anyone who has worked in an office can tell you how competitive the work world is. There is a frantic pace led by millions of Americans as they try to get the next promotion, buy a bigger house, save for their kids’ college funds and dream about the sports car they want. But, without a sense of connection to something bigger, this frantic pace can feel very hollow.

One of the greatest benefits of volunteering with a community organization is that it offers the ability to connect with others. Connecting with new people and working towards the same end goal of positive impact, can be incredibly rewarding. The feeling volunteers get isn’t a feeling they can get at the office. Being connected and feeling like you are a part of something bigger than yourself is a base emotional need.

Another benefit of volunteering is that you can try something new or get to be a kid again for a little while. Habitat for Humanity will let you help out on a construction site even if you wouldn’t trust yourself with a hammer. The Boy Scouts of America gives you the opportunity to go out on those campouts that you so fondly remember from your childhood.

Giving back can round out a life that would normally be taken up solely by a career. With the way the economy has gone the last couple of years, many people have unfortunately realized that giving 110% at work, just may not matter when corporations are cutting expenses. Volunteering can give a person valuable perspective on life, while also expanding a network that would have previously been career-focused. You don’t want all your eggs in one basket. This goes for your network, as much as it does for your portfolio.