{"id":1636,"date":"2024-12-07T06:50:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-07T05:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dev.nancybonamy.com\/range-ta-cape-et-prends-soin-de-tes-super-pouvoirs-dhumanitaire\/"},"modified":"2024-12-07T06:50:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-07T05:50:39","slug":"prends-soin-super-pouvoirs-humanitaire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nancybonamy.com\/en\/taking-care-of-humanitarian-superpowers\/","title":{"rendered":"Put your cape away and take care of your humanitarian superpowers!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, I'm tackling a subject that I find particularly complex in the humanitarian sector.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking care of yourself and not burning out. <\/strong> And that's despite the pressure and high expectations placed on the shoulders of humanitarian workers! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you work in the humanitarian sector and wonder why it's so difficult to take care of yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I'll give you some food for thought by explaining what the Superhero Syndrome<\/strong> is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you'd rather listen to my video on Youtube, it's over here (in French with English subtitles): Put away your cape and take care of your humanitarian superpowers<\/a>.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aid worker is perceived as a superhero.<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you like it or not, as a humanitarian, you've probably already realized that you're often perceived<\/strong> by those around you as a superhero<\/strong>... a modern-day savior! And this applies to both your personal and professional environment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's an ambivalent label! <\/strong>On the one hand, you're admired for your humanitarian commitment; on the other, your professional and personal entourage puts a lot of pressure on you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me explain what I mean by that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A superhero's cape heavy with responsibility.<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This superhero cape is very heavy to wear, because it implies a great deal of responsibilities. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You're seen as strong and courageous!<\/strong> They think you don't need anyone<\/strong> and that you can overcome any challenge.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You're perceived as ultra-committed, never tired, always available, <\/strong> able to react immediately and efficiently to any emergency. You're always on call, because we know you'll be there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Careful, you too probably think <\/strong> that your humanitarian engagement means that it's your responsibility <\/strong> to play this superhero role! Even if it means sacrificing your personal life <\/strong> on the altar of your professional commitment!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A superhero costume that's hard to take off.<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The truth<\/strong> is, once you've got that suit on, it's hard to get out of it <\/strong> or put it away for a few hours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And why is that? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because your employer, your colleagues, your manager, your entourage, your family, your friends: everyone expects <\/strong> you to always keep that superhero costume on. <\/strong> You're supposed to be always available and ready to give a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There's no rest for you, and you're not really allowed to feel tired! <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A superhero role cultivated in the humanitarian sector.<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You should know that it's more difficult <\/strong> to get rid of the superhero label when you're working in the humanitarian field. <\/strong> Why is that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because in the humanitarian field, it's the norm to meet a lot of superheroes! <\/strong> It's a very common profile in NGOs and humanitarian organizations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, you've probably already realized that in the humanitarian sector, this superhero behavior is often cultivated and encouraged. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under a variety of sometimes questionable pretexts such as \"It's not just a job, it's a commitment!\" Or \u201cYour humanitarian organization is like a family! Or \u201cThe people you serve are particularly vulnerable and their needs are much bigger than yours\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This posture is known as superhero syndrome.<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As already mentioned, you're expected to work hard, a lot and without complaining, to be on all fronts, always fit and efficient!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which is why<\/strong> you never really dare to take off that costume: you don't want to reveal the person hiding underneath, you don't dare to be yourself, you don't want to share your vulnerabilities or mention your needs and desires!\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you recognize yourself in this posture? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I'm talking about what's known as the superhero syndrome.<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This syndrome is partly due to your personality<\/strong> : you're a generous person, who wants to help, please and have a positive impact on your work and others. But that's not all! Also, and above all, because this posture is cultivated in the organization<\/strong> where you work, and this profile is very common in the humanitarian field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Superheroes' enemies aren't villains!<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a superhero, <\/strong> you run the risk of forgetting yourself along the way! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the way, if you look closely, what do all superheroes have in common?<\/strong>\u00a0 I mean, of course, apart from their capes and superpowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite their exploits and unfailing commitment, these superheroes often find themselves very much on their own when it comes to taking care of themselves! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, guess who are \u00a0the people most at risk of burnout?<\/strong>\u00a0 It's not ordinary people! On the contrary, it's those famous superheroes, those humanitarian workers who are ultra-committed, hard-working, serious, efficient and essential to their employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you're dealing with this superhero syndrome, you're probably carrying on your shoulders responsibilities that aren't your own.<\/strong> On the one hand, because of the pressure of your environment, and on the other, surely driven by your need to help, please and be recognized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A superhero also needs to take care of himself. <\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you understood, always playing the role of superhero is unsustainable. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every hero needs to put away his cape from time to time and take time out to rest! <\/strong> Resting doesn't mean doing nothing. In any case, \u201cdoing nothing\u201d is not in the vocabulary of superheroes, let alone humanitarians!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resting means to take care of yourself <\/strong>. How do you do that? By identifying how to limit your energy leaks and recharge your batteries! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clearly, even if you're a superhero, you still need fuel and energy. Just like everyone else... and like your cell phone, your computer and the Land Cruiser you're taking into the field!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To supply yourself efficiently, <\/strong> you need to identify: What exactly are YOUR <\/strong> energy needs? Which sources of energy suit YOU best? <\/strong> Because every superhero works differently. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you agree with me when I say that your superhero cape prevents you from taking care of your humanitarian superpowers?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you too feel the weight of this superhero role,<\/strong> which puts a lot of pressure on you and exhausts you considerably?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you help this superhero take care of himself or herself?<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To take care of yourself, it's imperative that you understand how to take off that superhero cape when it's relevant and necessary. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this, on the one hand, you first need to tame the superhero in you. <\/strong> On the other hand, you'll also need to understand how to limit external pressures, <\/strong> those from your professional and personal environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the work I offer in my\u00a0\u201cBye Burnout\u201d<\/a><\/a> program, which enables you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n