.png)
“There are so many things I could and should be doing for my organisation and I’m only one person. How do I manage everything without losing it?!”
The headlines
You probably set up your organisation because you believe passionately in what you’re trying to do. This makes it more than a standard 9-5 job: it can often take over your brain. And that’s before you add in the fact that you’re probably doing 15 jobs in one and wearing ALL the hats. It’s part of the chaos- and the joy- of running a small organisation. But as someone who’s been there and got the worked-until-I-made-myself-ill T-shirt, here are a few things I have since implemented to make sure both me and the organisations I ran came out in good shape.
Five Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Running an Organisation
Own Your Leadership Imposter syndrome affects so many people- and if they say it doesn’t they’re probably lying. Being clear about what your organisation stands for and why it exists can help keep the focus on more important things than the voices in your head that say you shouldn’t be doing this. It doesn’t have to be anything swanky- just scribble something down about why you started this whole thing and stick it to your computer or put it on the wall. Add positive feedback from people you’ve supported through your organisation and make it a wall of awesomeness.
Do less but better While it’s tempting to want your organisation to do a bit of everything, having a specific focus can actually strengthen your impact and make your workload easier to manage. Identifying your organisation’s niche allows you to build a strong reputation in a particular area and become the go-to resource for that specialty. This doesn’t mean you can’t explore other opportunities, but having a clear focus helps others understand what you’re about and why they should engage with your organisation. Being clear about what you do and don’t offer also makes it easier and quicker to say no to approaches about projects or support that aren’t right for you. Define your purpose, clear some of the noise and focus only on the work that needs doing.
Build partnerships Organisations thrive through relationships. Building and nurturing a strong network makes you feel less like you’re tackling everything alone; you can share some of the responsibility for making change happen. This doesn’t mean you have to be constantly networking at events; find ways to connect that suit your style. Whether it’s through attending relevant industry events, or maintaining an active online presence, make sure you find your crew. Map out your existing connections and identify areas where you can strengthen or expand your reach.
Get Organised It’s so easy to fall into a pattern of saying “after this week/ this project/ this bit of work things will calm down a bit”. Realistically it’s never going to calm down enough for you to tick off everything on your to do list. You have to make space for the important things. Things I have found useful include:
- Not opening my emails until I’ve completed the tasks I want to get done that day - Trusting my gut: if you get sinking feeling when you’re asked to be part of something, walk away - Blocking out time in my calendar for things that are important but not urgent. Otherwise they never happen. Don’t open your emails. Run away, hide in the woods, tell people you’re away that day. Whatever it takes to protect that space - Flexing your ‘no’ muscle. Be really conscious about saying yes or no to meetings or attending events. It’s so easy for your entire life to be taken up with things like taking part in consultations, speaking at careers events, going to planning meetings for other people’s projects or launches for other people’s work. If there’s a reason to go, other than they’ve asked and you’re being nice then fine but if you have a week rammed with meetings, just say no to some things and make yourself some space - Resist the urge to swoop in and save the day by overworking. Other people’s bad planning is not your emergency!
Prioritise your wellbeing and set boundaries Running an organisation can lead to overwork and burnout if you’re not careful. It’s crucial to set boundaries and ensure that your passion for your work doesn’t come at the expense of your health. That might be removing notifications from your ‘phone, reducing your programme for a set time or having an annual ‘closed’ period so you can take time off without guilt. Find your support system, whether it’s within your organisation or through external networks. Talking to someone who knows nothing about your work and doesn’t give a hoot about the not-for-profit sector can be really helpful for perspective. A particular event might feel like life or death but most people will go about their lives never knowing if it was a massive flop or you smashed it out of the park. Your work matters, but so do you.
What Next?
Pick one small action inspired by the list above and do it now. Cancel a meeting, contact a friend who does a similar role or close down your emails for a bit. Whatever works for you.
If you feel overwhelmed by the day to day of your organisation and want some support, check out my Sticky-note Strategy programme.
Designed for people running a small organisation, we can make your work easier to manage, fund and sustain through creative, visual activities and lots of sticky-notes. It will help you make the time for the big picture important stuff that you never quite get round to- with cheerleading all the way to make sure it happens. There’s more info here.