Ops Insights #037 When Everything is a Priority

February 16, 2024 | Read Time: 2 minutes | Written by Jenny Kleintop

When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.

These were the words spoken as the ops team member and I were talking about all the projects on the list to tackle for the leader and team.

So much to do, so little time.

Here's how we did not approach it:

⛔ Add it to the long-growing list and call it a day.

⛔ Ignore the urgency the leader added to these projects.

⛔ Let ourselves become overwhelmed.

Here's what we did do:

✅ Acknowledge the priority overload.

✅ Bring the list to the leader and ask if certain ones could be extended.

✅ Devised the plan to divide and conquer, and went to town.

This allowed us to re-prioritize the priorities.

Learning to re-prioritize is a skill that can be learned. With more practice, you will get better at it. And you will get better at asking for what you need. It’s all a normal part of growing and evolving as a leader yourself.

When you feel like you are on priority overload, try 1 or all 3 ✅ to get yourself back on track.

Take Action

Look at your “priority list” and take these three steps:

➡ Put the list in the order you believe is the priority. For help on how to do this, use the matrix below. Using this matrix, put every item you have on the to-do list in this matrix based on donor centricity (left) and effort & time (bottom). Donor centricity means it will have a positive outcome on either attracting new donors or retaining the donors you have.

➡ Take the list to your fundraising leader and review it together.

➡ At the meeting, talk through the priorities. When you need help, ask for what you need. Do you need more time? Do you need to remove or delegate some projects? How about some additional resources? Whatever you need, make the ask.

You’ve got this!

From the matrix above, re-order your priority list. Then, review it with your leader to ensure you are on the same page. Ask your leader to help chime in on the right side of the matrix.


Whenever you're ready, there are two other ways to get help:

  1. Weekly Insights​: Receive these Insights directly in your inbox each week to learn, grow, and accelerate your expertise of philanthropy operations, prospecting, and data. Add your email here.

  2. Hands-On Support: Get personalized assistance when you need it the most through fractional support. View here.

Previous
Previous

Ops Insights #038 Prospect Strategy vs. Portfolio Review Sessions

Next
Next

Ops Insights #036 Debrief from Nonprofits Leaders Summit