One of the things that Shantele Marcum has learned in life is the joy of volunteering. While volunteering is often done to help other people, it can also benefit the volunteer. Through it, she has learned how to connect with other people while improving her mental and physical strength. Below, she shares how volunteering can help you.
Benefits Your Body And Mind
Volunteering can benefit both your mental and physical health. For instance, it can help combat depression. One of the causes of depression is self-isolation. Volunteering allows you to interact with people, hence reducing loneliness. Besides that, volunteering can also help boost your self-confidence. This is something that Shantele Marcum experienced while volunteering with the American Lung Association. She says there is a sense of pride and identity that comes with helping others, which can boost your self-esteem.
Connects You To People
When you volunteer, you get connected with people in your society and make it a better area. Even when it is a smaller task, you can make a difference in the lives of people, organizations, and animals. It is a two-way street. You are helping other people and benefiting yourself at the same time. While volunteering her time helping the elderly, Shantele Marcum has not only connected with other volunteers but with the elderly community too. Being able to make new friends and expand your network can help boost your social skills.
Developing Your Skills
Through volunteering, you can develop skills you did not know you had. Some of those skills include:
- Problem solving and adaptability
- Time management
- Communicating with stakeholders and clients
- Leadership
- Ability to work in a team
- Sales skills
You can transfer these skills to the workplace and become a better boss or employee. If you have just finished school and you want to build your professional profile, you can do this through volunteering. It allows you to handle tasks that you might not be qualified for. For instance, you may help with managing a project or a fund drive, hence learning some skills along the way.
Get You Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Staying in your comfort zone can hold you back in many ways and make you miss out on opportunities. Through volunteering, you can leave your comfort zone and interact with people you do not know. Also, if you are faced with certain issues while volunteering, you may be forced to exercise critical thinking skills. This helps you in self-development.
Shantele Marcum Has Learned Invaluable Lessons Through Volunteering
One of the lessons that Shantele has learned through volunteering is that even small changes can have a huge impact. She saw this while donating Christmas gifts and money to Joseph’s home homeless shelter in Cleveland, Ohio. Seeing a smile on the people you help makes you realize just how much they value your time and assistance. In volunteering, you will also learn that everyone has their own story, hence deserving respect, love, and appreciation.
The joy you can bring to other people is one of the reasons you should join Shantelle Marcum in volunteering. You will be making a difference in the world.