The Idealist's Survival Kit: 75 Simple Ways to Avoid Burnout

by Alessandra Pigni, Hugo Slim (Foreword)

75 brief self-care reflections that will aid workers, activists, and volunteers prevent burnout, renew their sense of purpose, and achieve fulfillmentHeal from over-exhaustion, prevent burnout, and regain your motivation with these short readings from a psychologist who has spent many years in the field working in conflict and disaster areas. Gathered from Alessandra Pigni’s interaction with humanitarian professionals and backed up by cutting–edge research, these concrete tools offer new perspectives and inspiration to anyone whose work is focused on helping others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2016

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know the difference between "burnout" and "exhaustion"? It's a subtle but important distinction.

I legit have bought ~10 copies of this book over the past year. Even though Alessandra's background is in international aid, the insights and lessons are widely applicable. In fact, comparing the causes, symptoms and defenses chronic burnout across multiple industries helps underscore one of the main points of book: burnout is not about the individual, but systematic problem of professions that attract idealistic do-gooders.

This book was a random pick up from a bookstore, but one that's been really impactful to me and my friends (who in turn, are now buying more copies and recommending it to more friends!) I've since gotten to meet Alessandra, who is wonderful and dedicated to raising awareness and bringing healing to more souls. I hope she succeeds in her efforts.


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Exhaustion vs. Burnout:

The first is when you’ve been working too much, without taking care of *physical* needs like sleeping and eating well. Time off / a vacation can be hugely beneficial to re-charge your batteries.


Burnout on the other hand, is more about HOW you’re working, not just how much. Vacations do not solve the problem, merely provide temporary escape. Developing and healing from burnout is more of an *emotional* issue.

Burnout occurs when you care so much about something, it becomes more important than pretty much everything else, including your own needs… and it’s not sustainable in the long term. However, it’s after being unable to make progress , or when there’s an increasingly widening gap between the expectation (help others!) and reality (say: bureaucracy, lack of support, little or no impact, etc.) you gradually lose meaning and efficacy in the work. It is shockingly widespread in "helper" oriented people and professions.

[Hugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear humanitarians, international aid workers, UN-Rambos, among others - I cannot recommend this book enough.

I will not say that this book "has all the answers", but it definitely "asks the right questions" and provides some clues for those looking to heal themselves from the over-exhaustion of humanitarian work and to prevent burnout - needless to say, both of those are highly linked to maintain (or regain) the motivation that we all had when we started working in this (and "in the") field that might have gotten lost along the way as we encountered the different challenges linked to the job.

The book is also marvelously written and easy to read as it is divided into 75 brief self-care reflections aimed at providing aid workers, activists, and volunteers tips on how to prevent burnout, renew their sense of purpose, and achieve fulfillment.

The author, Alessandra Pigni, is both psychologist and has spent many years in the field working in conflict and disaster areas. She also crafted this book by interacting with humanitarian professionals as well as backing these findings with research and attempts to pin-point concrete tools for those wishing to "change the world". Alessandra also has such a caring style - you can feel her devotion to the subject of "healing humanitarians" in her work.

I highly recommend! Especially for my humanitarian comrades!

[Abbie Skotnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! The reflections contained in this book are profound and important - a must-read for all those working in the humanitarian/development sector.

[Hannah Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. Nothing particularly gripping or insightful--but still positive and helpful tidbits and reflections. Kind of like an expanded fortune cookie collection. The end of each entry includes one or two book recommendations for future reading--so if nothing else it's a booklist of other good things to read. It would be helpful for someone who needs light reading to deal with a hectic lifestyle, who doesn't have the time or stamina to invest in something heavier, but needs a bit of moral support for their daily grind...One criticism I have is that she really doesn't go very in-depth into unpacking burnout as an actual crisis of labor or capitalism or nonprofit industrial complex. She distinguishes burnout from trauma in a way that may be just wholly inaccurate. But she does kind of nudge at the idea that overwork is not healthy or sustainable, albeit kind of shrugging her shoulders at it being inevitable.

[ara kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

(1.78 stars) My therapist recommended this...at times it had me reflecting but tbh it was quite repetitive and could've been condensed to 100 pages. Also yes it def touches the surface on the burnout realm but doesn't do much past that - part of the purpose was to remind the reader to hold onto ur values & ur not alone but the way she explained things sometimes made me feel more overwhelmed and powerless lol

Also towards the end she redeems herself kind of but for much of the book I was thinking wow this is so oh no!!! conflict 'over there' !!!!!! The safety of my home where I am and it's so boring!!! And a tad bit of savior complex.. considering I'm not working in this field I don't know how addiction to the field and intensity / war works (she mentions this a lot and being a bit apathetic) but it just came across very... weird.

Ur western home and all things evil aren't mutually exclusive. It isn't just 'over there' thank you

[Abiyyu Siregar · Rating 4 out of 5]

simply a must-read for aspiring medical care provider and humanitarian aid workers. As a medical student, I can feel the struggle of Pigni. It’s hard to be idealistic in a pragmatic world. Moreover, seeing your dream job to become the helper of those in need, crumbling as the reality of the job is not like what you might imagine.

The tone of this book seems pessimistic. I take it as a wake up call to those who wants to be an aid worker. Spoiler: It is not as noble as it seems. The work environment can be as toxic as working in private companies (sometimes it is even more), no such thing as regular work hours (work essentially 24/7), etc. In spite of that, an idealist can still thrive in this job (just like what Pigni said in this book). Thus. it is important to care for oneself while caring others.

[Brooke Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all about how to avoid and survive burn out in the fields of activism and humanitarianism. As Pigni says, humanitarians and activists see a lot of crap, but often it is the bureaucracy and red tape in their organizations that really bring them down. And I think the same can be said about the education field, and even fields like nursing and social work. These are the workers who put everything on the line to help their students or their patients or their clients, but they rarely take care of themselves. Furthermore, there’s usually not a lot of support in the helping fields, and taking a break or talking about mental health can be seen as a weakness by those in charge and other employees. So, bottom line, don’t be too hard on yourself, and be nice to your fellow workers in the various helping fields.

[Nancy Van Der Velden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a healthcare worker during the last 2 years, I felt like I was on the verge of a burnout. This book offers a lot of insight into what contributes to and how to manage the path towards burnout. This book was a bit repetitive at times, but I guess some of the necessary survival tips really need to be driven home.

I’d say in the end, it did give me what I was looking for when I picked up the book. The 75 chapters were mostly concise and helpful with navigating the feelings and stresses of working in a service job.

[Vikas Goyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for everyone in the humanitarian sector. For newbies, it's a guide to navigate the emotional rollercoaster ahead. For veterans like myself, it's a validation of our struggles and a call to action. We need to prioritize mental well-being, not just for ourselves, but to build a future where idealism and self-care go hand-in-hand. After all, how can we effectively fight for the well-being of others if we're neglecting our own?

Read my full review at https://vpgoyal.blogspot.com/2021/08/...

[Logen Lanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book thinking it'd be a generic read about preventing burnout. Instead, it talked about burnout in the humanitarian sector. Nonetheless, I appreciated the insight into the challenges faced by people who help people. Also, while in different sectors, I could relate to a number of issues that resulted in burnout, and managed to contextualise Alessandra's tips to my situation.

This is a must-read for those within (and thinking about getting into) humanitarianism and activism.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of my research on burnout. It is exactly what it says on the box, and it's really fucking good. Although many of its themes could apply to any industry or line of business, the focus is very tight on NGOs, nonprofits, and small government. So I'd say it's valuable to anyone with a bit of imagination and empathy, but worth its weight in gold for burnt-out do-gooders in those specific job sectors. Feels like the kind of book that's quietly saving lives...

[Ugis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read! The only thing that makes it a bit annoying is the fact that all of the examples come from the "humanitarian help" field. But from the other side the author speaks about the area she knows vey well!

Will open it again from time to time to check in with some of the advice given in few very interestin chapters.

[Erica BB · Rating 5 out of 5]

While written mostly about humanitarian aid workers, there are so many beautiful reflections in this book for idealists/activists/helpers that are both validating and thought-provoking. I plan to pick this up and re-visit the little chapters many times in the future. The cover is not a great reflection of what this book offers.

[Bettina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and moving! The short chapters of this book really resonated with me and provided a space for reflection - though no answers.
A wonderful portrayal of the complexities of mindfulness and political action, honestly looking at our own motivations and maintaining engagement and meaning in our world.

[MR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful insight into the humanitarian sector.
A little repetitive, could have been shorter. It didn't feel like 75 distinct ways to avoid burnout but just 75 short sections on aspects of humanitarian life. Which is fine just not what I was expecting.
A good range of sources, both from people she had met and other quotes.
A subtle Buddhist leaning.

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every humanitarian, emergency and crisis worker, and first responder should pick up this book. I encourage all NGOs, humanitarian agencies, and emergency service agencies to make this book available to their staff.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected at all. I ended up fascinated by tales of humanitarian red tape and organizations behaving badly. Good ideas on keeping the faith even if your war zone isn’t another country and just your kitchen.

[Livia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for aid workers!

[Annie Ingram · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I wish I had only found this book sooner! I have been recommending it to all my colleagues and friends in the sector since finishing it

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book simply every humanitarian worker and/or activist need to read.

[Tamara Suttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the three best books I've ever read on burnout. I've purchased copies to give as gifts and am sure I will do so again.

[Kristina Gonzalez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the anecdotes, but overall, it felt very redundant and at times a bit too pessimistic for this idealist.

[Kazen]

I'm not in a conflict zone but I do work for a medical NPO, so I hoped this book would have some insights for me. Unfortunately it's fully focused on humanitarian aid and not very applicable to my situation. If you are an aid worker, though, I suspect you'll find a friend in Pigni.