Apra-IL recognizes and acknowledges the heaviness and anxiety that many are experiencing due to the pandemic, and is starting this new series entitled, The Prospect Development Professional’s Haven, as a calming and reflective safe space. We are providing a space for you to anonymously share questions and reflections during these difficult times, pertaining to your work and role because many can relate. In times like this, you have to know that you are never alone.

Disclaimer: The Apra-IL writer is not a licensed therapist or counselor, therefore, please seek professional guidance beyond this series.

Now more than ever, we need community.

As we gear up for the first ever virtual Apra conference (August 24 – 27, 2020), we can all agree that our new normal has been difficult. And if you have been dealing with everything alone, then consider this the time for community. We could rely on our own understanding of our industry; we could easily ignore the emails and posts on social media by others in prospect development; and we could silently experience the stress and anxiety of furloughs, job loss, and increased work and meetings. We could also choose an alternative, and remember what it means to belong in a safe space, a safe world, or at least a safe world of data experts with similar skills and interests.

Remember that you have a community, bigger and stronger as a whole, that can support you, individually. 

We are all experiencing similar ramifications of this pandemic and economic depression, to some degree. The effects transcend race, gender, age, and ethnicity, and the prospect development community knows this all too well as fundraising has been difficult and many experts are unemployed. We understand.

For many, reality set in once motivation drew low in April, forecasts for the extent of the pandemic twisted and bent mental aptitudes each day as things become more and more uncertain. We were experiencing the same emotions.

My question to you reader is how have you been dealing with admitting what you’re experiencing? 

Exhaustion is real. We understand.

Your community has remained right here.

Many have found ways to keep learning, to keep asking questions, to share their experiences; and most importantly there has been an increase in normalizing the betterment of mental health by talking about it, sharing stories of good and bad work experiences, seeking therapy, and ways to better oneself physically, mentally and emotionally.  

If there has ever been a takeaway that needs to be pronounced, it is that you are not alone. Reach out to one another, and remember your community.

Thank you for allowing these valid feelings and experiences to be shared within The Prospect Development Professional’s Haven.

If you want to share a question or reflection at The Prospect Development Professional’s Haven, please email us at apraillinois@gmail.com