Guest Post; Enough Excuses

Enough Excuses: Why We Owe it to Others (and Ourselves) to Volunteer

By: Joy P., who has written at length about online accounting degrees and what it takes to become a phlebotomist.

The holiday season is upon us, and so is the call to give freely to good causes. Whether it’s donating canned goods to your local church or giving $10 to the Salvation Army Santa ringing his bell outside the mall, we’re all a little bit more generous with what we have during this time of the year.
This is also the perfect time of the year to consider giving something else to those in need—your time and effort. Volunteering is a lasting way to make an impact on others, way beyond what an equivalent monetary donation would. If you’re feeling guilty right about now, you’re not alone—we all make excuses to ourselves as to why we can’t volunteer. Consider these ways to break free of those old mantras and really give back in the new year.

• I’m just too busy: Really? Count up the hours you spend eating out at restaurants, watching TV, and surfing the Internet every week. You can’t cut back one hour of that time to put towards a good cause? I think you can--and once you start, you’ll realize that it’s much more rewarding than those other diversions.
• I don’t know where to start: It’s easy: start with what you know and are interested in. Do you love kids? Be a big brother or big sister. Antisocial? Consider writing a column for the local activist newsletter. The number of volunteer opportunities is endless. Just start with something you’re already passionate about.
• I can’t become attached to someone like that: Most people won’t admit it, but one of the scariest things about volunteering is growing to care about another person or a cause in a deep way. While you’re worried about spreading yourself too thin, however, did you ever consider that the person you’re helping will probably give you as much support as you give them? It’s not a one way street—volunteering is fulfilling for everyone involved.
• I don’t have anything to offer: Everyone likes to bring their own insecurities in as an excuse. “I’m just a silly freelance writer,” I say to myself, “what could I ever have to give anyone?” Did you ever stop to consider that the skills you have that you take for granted—being a decent writer, for example—are likely someone else’s dream? Don’t sell yourself short; there’s someone out there who would love to have you teach them what you know.
• I’m no saint—how can I help others?: Some people make the mistake of thinking they have to be a righteous, perfect person to volunteer without being a hypocrite. In some cases, though, a flawed mentor is the best role model of all. I had a writing teacher who admitted to me that she was too scared to write throughout her twenties, though she now has a successful book and fellowship at a great university. Being honest and sharing your true self is potentially one of the best things you can do to inspire someone else.
• I can’t make a regular time commitment: Do you think you’re the only person in the world who has trouble upholding your weekly duties? You’re not alone, my friend, and there’s no reason why that should stop you from volunteering. Many volunteer opportunities are intermittent or low commitment; there’s no guilt if you miss a time, but you’re still free to show up if you can. From a monthly church clean up to helping with a food bank, check out a “training wheels” volunteer opportunity where you can help out, but not feel burdened by it.