WHY EUSTRESSIN'?: NEILS RIBEIRO-YEMOFIO
I am the only child, and throughout my life, I have been fortunate to gain people that are really like my siblings. Neils is definitely one of those people. Since 2005, he has been a major influence on my life and not only is he a great friend and influence, he is also a member of the Eustress board!
Neils is currently the Managing Director of Recruitment and Admissions for City Year and recently launched his own company, Heroes for Hire!
HEY NEILS, WHY EUSTRESSIN’?
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING/ HOW LONG?
I am the Managing Director of Recruitment and Admissions for City Year and I recently launched Heroes For Hire Consulting Services, LLC.
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUR PROFESSION?
As a manager of people, you have to make sure that you are constantly checking in on their well-being; especially in the service world where you do so much to meet other’s need, you can put yourself in the back-burner. I would be a hypocrite to the people I lead if I didn’t make sure I did my due-diligence on my own health since I want them to do the same for theirs.
WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES DO YOU ENCOUNTER SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR JOB THAT HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?
STRESS! The nonprofit landscape is full of high risk/high demand interactions on a daily basis. The rewards are great since the impact is all around helping people, but the anxiety around needing to perform on a high stage causes high levels of stress.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN TAKING ON DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES?
I realized the importance of understanding and maintaining a good pulse on my mental health after realizing that when referring an employee to go to a counselor, I myself had never gone, and could not tell them how it would go. Knowing the importance of counseling, I thought it was something important for me to experience.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE THOSE STRESSORS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
It’s a part of the job, so you have to be able to manage it and let it be a natural part of life. I make sure I eat healthy, exercise regularly, and spend my free time with my friends and family; all things that help me manage my stress.
HOW DOES BEING MENTALLY HEALTHY HELP IN YOUR FIELD OF WORK OR ON THE JOB?
If you can’t take care of yourself, how can you help others? Even more, how can others trust that you can help them? It’s vital that nonprofit leaders show a level of ground-ness and well-being so the community can entrust their services.
WHAT DOES EUSTRESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AT WORK? AT HOME/AWAY FROM WORK?
My eustress is volunteer management. When you have more volunteers than you have slots for service projects, that can be stressful, but that is the best kind of stress! Having so many people want to make a difference is a welcomed stress any nonprofit leader would love to have.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD TELL SOMEONE JUST STARTING IN YOUR PROFESSION OR A YOUNG PERSON WHO ASPIRES TO BE THE PROFESSIONAL THAT YOU ARE?
Work/life balance is real, no matter what anyone tells you. Make sure to turn work off when the workday is over – read, watch your favorite show, cook, workout, SOMETHING. Make sure you find your ‘escape’ so you can have peace of mind from a long day.
HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTACT YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Instagram:
Neils_RY
Heroes4HireLLC
Website:
Heroes For Hire
