Tips: How to balance a professional and personal life as a community specialist
Here are some summary tips for balancing your professional and personal life as a community specialist
1. Be clear about your remit
Create clear boundaries in your community, not just for you, but for your members. You don't always have to be 'on', and if you are then that needs fixing either at an organisation level or within yourself. Community Managers/Moderators are just like everyone else, they have 'life' to deal with and can feel burned out, unwell, stressed as much as anyone, if not more (especially in communities of circumstance).
2. Connect with others for peer support
Whether that's people in your organisation or communities of community managers like Community Pros of London, Community Pros of L.A or Guild’s Community Collective, take the opportunity to connect with others who share your challenges and your love of community. Sharing is cathartic. Empathy and peer support can give you the perspective and encouragement we all need from time to time.
3. Watch out for your triggers and have ways of stepping back and handling difficult issues
Things can happen in your community that can trigger very emotional responses. There will be both highs and lows. But recognise the situations and triggers that take the most out of you personally and get your heckles up. Try to model these in calm times - not only how to handle them, but consider how they make you feel. Consider the value of pausing when bad things happen, and the importance of (sometimes literally) stepping away from things.
4. Take breaks and re-energise
Not taking holiday and working crazy overtime is the recipe for burn out. A burned out community manager is not what any community wants or needs. Do what re-energises you. I’m highly extrovert, so for me it's being with friends and family, singing in a choir and performing, for others it might be a contemplative walk or quiet time out with a great book.
5. Journal the good stuff
If you're having a bad day or dealing with a tough issue in your community, then a few moments of reflection can help. Stop. Look back at your community and what you have personally achieved. Allow yourself a smile. I have printed out comments from various community members over many years that buoy me when I'm feeling tired or struggling with something.
Got any more tips you would like to to add?
Further reading
I’m creating a community glossary and will be explaining some key concepts in community strategy, community building and community management.
Here are some connected articles that you may find helpful:
What is Community Led Growth - is it the same as Community Based Marketing (CBM)?
The Definitive Community Glossary - A - Z
What is Minimal Viable Community (MVC)?
What is Community Market Fit?
What are the 5 Ps and 1 C of community?
What are rituals in community building and why are they so important?
What is Broken Windows Theory and does it apply to Community Management?
What is Community Manager Appreciation Day (CMAD)?
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Photo copyright Michelle Goodall
