Earlier this summer I shared Why It’s So Hard to Work During the Summer, but since everyone knows that Labor Day means summertime is over (at least here in the US), it’s time to buckle down again.
You’ve got annual reports to create, year-end fundraising campaigns to perfect, and the 101 other things nonprofit communicators are asked to do.
But it’s a fine line between being motivated and burning out so let’s look at some tips to help you keep that balance:
Look at Your Work in a Different Way
Instead of thinking of your lead newsletter article as a burden, think of how it will educate, motivate, or challenge your supporters. Or you can think of it as an important part of your professional development. You are enhancing your writing and marketing skills.
Prioritize Your To-Do List
If your to-do list is overwhelming, narrow it down to the three tasks you HAVE to do today. Then go back and add your other tasks as you go.
Break Your Work Into Smaller Steps
Anything you are working on starts with one smaller step. Don’t worry about the end result and just start with step one.
Just Get Started Already
Sometimes you are just not going to want to do something no matter how much you try to motivate yourself. This is when you just have to start working (as I mentioned above, breaking the work into smaller steps should help). It maybe time to take a deep breath and dive in.
Get Hyped
Got a song that gets you pumped? Or maybe a motivational speaker or article can help spark that work? Find it and use it!
Reward Yourself
Create some motivation by giving yourself a treat when you complete a task. Chocolate, time on TikTok, a walk – whatever you think of as a treat can work.
Celebrate Your Wins
Keep a daily “Small Wins Diary,” regularly talk about small wins with others (we have a space in our Community devoted to this), and refocus your thoughts away from frustrating “how” questions to the more fulfilling “why” questions related to why you do your work.
