How to Level Up Your Super Awesomeness™

Today, I read an article on The Creative Independent titled “How to Think Differently About Doing Good as a Creative Person” by artist and technologist Omayeli Arenyeka.

Initially when Arenyeka introduced the term “Creative Savior Complex,” I thought of an over-worked/underpaid artist who sacrifices their own mental health and physical well-being in order to meet the demands of an ultimately abusive gig employer who pressures them into doing more for less because “it’s for a good cause” or “it’s fun; why do you need to be paid for it?” or “think of the exposure!” These scenarios are unfortunate (and common), as detailed here, here, here, and here.

The article was ACTUALLY about the opposite issue—creative people with means who want to “do good,” but who may ultimately do harm, regardless of their intentions. This “Creative Savior Complex” is adapted from the well-documented “White Savior Complex” (read more about that here, here, and satirically here), and has the same basic foundations of a superiority complex, selfishness, and lack of consent. (Check out Arenyeka’s slideshow presentation here.)

I was inspired by the article to share some thoughts on how to be a more effective Super Awesome Person™. Although the foundation of Super Awesomeness™ is simple (kindness, compassion, etc.), trying to do good in the real world can be complicated. No matter how well-meaning you are, if you rush in to “help” with your own needs centered and without due diligence, you can end up wasting time and money and have nothing to show for it.

• 

• 

Give the Help That is Actually Needed

• FINANCIAL DONATIONS. What most non-profits and community-based organizations need is money. Financial donations are the most direct way to help an established organization serve their clients because it can be used wherever and however it is needed. If you are able, consider making small monthly donations instead of an equivalent one-time donation. The money an organization receives monthly is more useful for preparing budgets as it is consistent and predictable.
• GIFTS IN KIND. If you are donating goods, make sure what you want to give is currently needed. Organizations often change their requests baed on the needs of their clients. Try not to get discouraged if your items are unwanted, as there may be alternative organizations that are interested. When my go-to textile recycler stopped accepting linens, I found another recycler that still wanted them, and when Goodwill stopped accepting book donations, I started donating to Little Free Libraries and community book fairs.
• VOLUNTEERING. Being an effective volunteer is about more than just showing up. Treat it like a great-paying job. Show up on time, work hard, and be respectful and reliable. If it is a long-term gig, don’t sign up unless you can give as much time as is needed. The work you are doing is important and deserves your full commitment.

Do the Research

• KNOW WHAT’S ALREADY OUT THERE. Doing research is particularly important to make sure your time, money, and energy isn’t wasted. If you want to help out in your community, research what organizations already exist and if they are truly effective. You don’t have to single-handedly tackle an issue on your own. Join an established group, reach out to friends and neighbors with the same goals, and find out what has already been done—and what work still needs doing.
• DONATE RESPONSIBLY. You should be especially discerning before making a financial donation. Charity Navigator is a great resource for finding well-reviewed 501(c)(3)s that are transparent with their finances and direct a substantial portion of their revenue to the services they provide (as opposed to administrative costs). Just because an organization is well-known doesn’t mean it is doing better work than similar charities without the name-recognition.
• EXERCISE DUE DILIGENCE. For organizations that aren’t 501(c)(3)s, it can be tough to discern their effectiveness, especially if they don’t share financial information. When considering an organization, visit their website, sign up for their mailing list, and keep tabs on the work they do and if it seems effective. Be extra cautious when donating through links or fundraisers that aren’t directly tied to the organization’s website. Millions were raised on behalf of the Black Lives Matter movement which went instead to an unaffiliated charity called The Black Lives Matter Foundation. (Donate to the BLM movement here.)

Listen to the Experts

• DON’T HAVE A SAVIOR COMPLEX. If you are a new supporter to a cause, you should listen to the leaders before you act. This is especially important if you are joining a racial justice or social justice movement and you are not part of the community that is most affected. You may be well-meaning, and you may be passionate, but you are not an expert, and you are at risk of making things harder for the people who have been doing the work for the longest. This ties in with both the “White Savior Complex” and the need for due diligence (see above). Fortunately, when it comes to the racial justice movement, there are *tons* of resources for allies who want to help, and I’ve shared many of them here: Fighters for Racial Justice.

Practice Self-Care

• RECOGNIZE YOUR LIMITS. People who fixate on caring for others sometimes forget to care for themselves. As much as you may want to help every person and fix every problem, overextending yourself can take a toll on your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We all have our limits, and recognizing those limits can make us more effective in the help we give and the super awesome work that we *can* achieve.
• BUILD ON SMALL ACHIEVEMENTS. You don’t need to volunteer for every organization or attend every protest to effect positive change. Focus on one cause that is especially important to you, and do the research. Start small with your efforts—set up ONE monthly donation; sign up for ONE volunteer gig—until you are sure your efforts are sustainable. Consistency is important, and even small efforts can make a huge impact when done repeatedly and with gusto.

Good luck on your Super Awesome People™ journey! The world needs you!