nonprofit productivity: how to get sh*t done while wearing many hats
TRANSCRIPT
Nonprofit ProductivityHow to Get Sh*t Done
While Wearing Many Hats
See3 works with nonprofits and social causes, activating people to change the world. We develop strategies and create media to deliver on goals like fundraising, advocacy, awareness, recruitment and more.
Our clients include:
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I’m Bridgett, Director of Content Marketing at See3.
This means I manage (and regularly create content for) our blog, email, social media, webinars, and white papers - developing content that speaks to the needs of our target audience (you!) and drives them to action.
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In addition to my title, I’m also a...
Internship Coordinator
Sales AssociateGoogle Analytics
Expert
Strategy Consultant
Website ManagerDesigner
...and the list goes on...
Community Manager
Project Manager
Sound familiar?
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How can I measure the impact I make, when I need to be making an impact in so many
places?
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How can I consistently organize my time so that I am prioritizing the things that are really
important?
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What does “productivity” mean?
Productivity is more than the number of things you cross off your to-do list.
(You already know this, but it’s important to remind yourself.)
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Productivity gives you the power to clarify and prioritize what needs to be done so you can feel awesome
about the work you do and make time for important things like rest and play.
Yup, that’s right, important things like rest and play.
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Because otherwise...
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A better definition of productivity
“It’s about getting the most important, impactful things done efficiently, and to a high degree of quality, without getting hung up on perfection.”
- Joelle Steineger
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By Joelle Steiniger, via PickCrew Blog
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Somebody smart once said:
“...lots of people are feeling stuck because they are overwhelmed (but excited) by all they have to do on their growing to-do list.
...it all comes down to having clarity about your core goal for how you want to spend your time and live your life … anything that doesn’t support that vision, needs to be reduced, automated or eliminated.”
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That smart person? It’s this guy:
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Some other smart things Stephen told me
1. Challenge yourself to eliminate at least one item on your to-do list without actually doing it. You’re a do-gooder. You get excited about a lot of things. But sometimes, you need to be honest about what’s possible.
2. Create a “Maybe List” - ideas are cool, but they’re not always immediately actionable.
3. Stack tasks. When you do like things at the same time, you get them done faster. And your to-do list looks less daunting.
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Here’s another smart guy:
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The 5 Steps to Getting Things Done 1. Capture - collect what has your attention
2. Clarify - process what it means
3. Organize - put it where it belongs
4. Reflect - review frequently
5. Engage - simply do
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Why “Clarify” is so important
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The Two Minute Rule/O.H.I.O.
If it can be done in two minutes or less, do it now; only handle it once.
OR
If you’re feeling stuck, just say you’ll do something for two minutes.
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Theory in Practice
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How I Use My Colorful To Do List1. I make my list the Friday before. Mondays are worse when you don’t know
what kind of week you’re stepping into.
2. I try to avoid scheduling tasks for Friday - some things won’t get done when I hope they will, and I need a catch up day.
3. I organize tasks by day and label days with the same color.
4. When a task is done, I change it’s day label to gold (which feels like a grown-up version of getting a gold star - and it’s awesome.)
5. I add new to-dos throughout the week, and move stuff over to the “Next Week” list as needed.
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Here’s a smart lady:
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Time Blocking2
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Kate’s Tips for Time Blocking● When it is time to work on something focus on just that task. No email. No
social media.
● Schedule your tasks when you are best equipped to complete them.
● Pack in more than you think you will get done.
● Break things into pieces - 15 or 30 minute chunks.
● Put your personal stuff in there too! You have one life so combining your work and your personal items into one view just makes sense so that you aren’t forgetting to make time for things like eating and taking care of yourself.
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To Sum Things Up● We all wear a lot of hats, and we could probably all be better about making
time for rest and play
● Productivity is a way of thinking about how your work adds value to the world, and clarifying what work should be prioritized so you can do that
● There are a lot of smart people who talk about how to do this: Joelle Steiniger, Stephan Warley, David Allen, Kate Matsudaira
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