Humor us with this metaphor: if your mind is a small, green sprout—barely peeking through the ground in which it was planted—volunteering is the sunshine, water and nourishing nutrients your brain needs in order to thrive.
It’s a known fact that the benefits of dedicating yourself to a meaningful cause go beyond self-empowerment. As it turns out, volunteering can benefit your professional psyche in many ways.
For Career Development Month, Tabitha has the details on how your selfless acts of kindness don’t just better the lives of those you serve, but they benefit yours, too.
Volunteering utilizes—and validates—your strengths.
Have a particularly niche talent that you don’t get to use in everyday life? Want to further develop a skill you would like to implement—or perhaps already use—at work? Volunteering is a purposeful way to put those to use for the good of others. Since everyone’s interests and skill sets are different, there’s bound to be a perfect volunteer gig out there for anyone and everyone.
A prominent part of volunteering is the positive mood boost that comes along with it. It’s likely that you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment—as well as an increase in self-esteem, pride and belonging—when you witness the impact you’re making. This may translate into your professional life as self-assuredness, confident communication and improvements in problem solving.
Trying something new is a little less scary with friends.
One thing you’ll learn when you begin volunteering is how quickly you’ll form Connections with others. This isn’t limited to those you’re helping—it includes fellow volunteers who are applying their own time and energy to the cause.
If you happen to stumble along the way, no problem! They’re alongside you for support, conversation and guidance as your combined efforts better the lives of others.
Whether you start by volunteering once a week or you make it an all-in Commitment, you can dip your toes into different pools of opportunity—for example: an organization you’re curious about, a local community or networking group you’re interested in joining, or even a workplace you’d like to work at.
Anyone and everyone has the ability to do something great.
Another awesome thing about volunteering is how accessible it is. Commitments of time and energy are totally up to the volunteer’s discretion. Someone with limited mobility can perform altruistic activities at home, or even over the phone.
Older adults can feel fulfilled by staying active and making social connections outside of their usual circle. Youth can gain new perspectives and understanding of the world around them.
Whether you volunteer because you love it or you’re simply choosing to do so because it looks good on a resume, putting others first can be life-alteringly positive for your mind and soul. If you feel so inspired, Tabitha offers ways for individuals, groups or corporations to get involved and improve the lives of Nebraska seniors. Learn more and get started at Tabitha.org/Volunteer.
Who knew that volunteerism nurtures your growth so deeply? As a volunteer, your impact extends far deeper than the surface—it opens doors, strengthens critical resources and tends to the community you live in and love. Go make a difference today!
For answers to all your aging questions, start with Tabitha. Contact a Tabitha Care Expert today.