Thriving communities start with flourishing leaders
A tool for finding balance and joy in your community
I have a feeling you've experienced it too – that feeling when you're giving so much of yourself to your community that you end up feeling drained and depleted. The dreaded burnout, or maybe what I like to call "drainout." As community leaders, we put in countless hours to support our members, and it takes a toll.
But here's the good news: setting clear boundaries and building a strong community culture can mitigate this feeling. Clarifying the behaviors we want in our community and praising positive actions creates a healthier and more positive environment for everyone.
But beyond that, it’s vitally important to take care of yourself. You set the tone for your members, so steering clear of exhaustion is key if you want to create a thriving community.
As you pour out for others, you must, in equal measure, restore your energy. Here's a simple tool that will help you strike that perfect balance. It's called the Fillers & Drainers list.
I learned this strategy from one of my clients and Hive members, Dr. Lynyetta Willis. She’s a psychologist, parenting coach, and founder of the Triggered to Transformed community. She guides couples and parents to deal with their internal triggers, helping them lead from a place of calm and joy.
Rather than rushing off to tackle your endless to-do's, what if you slowed down for just a minute. Download the Fillers & Drainers list and allow yourself space to pause. This exercise is all about proactively maintaining your well-being while giving your best to your members.
Start by identifying your fillers – the activities that bring you joy and renew your spirit. These are your energy boosters! Whether something small like a scented candle on your desk or something bigger like a relaxing vacation, investing in yourself will allow you to show up for your community with generosity and empathy. Set a timer for 5 minutes and jot down all the things that make you smile. Go!
Next, acknowledge your drainers – the tasks that leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Look carefully at them. Yours will be different from mine. They may even change from week to week or day to to day. Get them out and onto paper.
Now with both lists side by side, you have a simple tool to create a better balance for yourself.
How might you set boundaries, delegate, or even skip certain drainers altogether? I get it. We can’t possibly avoid them all. The secret is to offset their impact with our fillers. It's okay to start small, but each day needs to include something from your fillers list. Bonus points if you can sprinkle in a few!
Remember, building a life full of drainers is not the way to run a thriving community. You can create a community that supports your members while preserving your own joy and well-being.
Your members will appreciate a flourishing leader!
Sending you joy,
PS. Finding balance is crucial, and I'm here to help you achieve it. Yesterday I had a conversation with members in The Hive about the importance of subtraction and why sometimes the best solution is to cut something out.
Today we're meeting to map out our Quarter 2 strategies. There's one last day to join us for the spring or you can always schedule a call to talk to me one-on-one. I'd be delighted to help you brainstorm strategies to make your community thrive while ensuring you have time for yourself.
Let's get you back to a life you love!
Ready to build a thriving community without feeling lost, overwhelmed, or alone? The Hive is a space where community founders support one another as they build and scale profitable communities.