Here's how you can juggle short-term deadlines and long-term goals in a philanthropy-focused career.

I believe that to avoid complete burn out when working with projects desperately seeking your support and at the same time trying to stay on top of your strategy regular meetings with the team to review priorities is paramount. I have never been a great list maker as I find that lists restrict me. Flexibility even when prioritising is essential. It is important to revisit why and how we set our priorities and always assess them in accordance with our long-term strategy. It is important to remembers that as philanthropists, we are in this work to support and enable projects in the field and sometimes the unexpected happens and we must be ready to react in a compassionate and non-judgemental way.

Prioritization requires good communication and collaboration across verticals as well as from leadership. Without it, you're working in a vaccum/silo and might be missing what's urgent versus important or that can be delayed.

It really helps to make decisions based on #data and robust insights as opposed to (internal/historic) presumptions. That's why working with data supplied by companies like MiExact (Smee and Ford) is important in the UK, not only for #Legacy messages but to inform short, medium and long term marketing and engagement priorities. It's been a gamechanger for our consultancy and is highly recommended. Know your audience's propensity and don't base activities on assumptions as opposed to fact based information.

Prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact. Delegate responsibilities whenever possible, and ensure that daily actions align with your broader objectives. Always keep your mission clearly in sight!

1. Identify and Categorize Tasks: Begin by listing all tasks and categorizing them using the Eisenhower Matrix. Determine which tasks fall under "urgent and important" and "important but not urgent," as these will be your primary focus areas. 2. Prioritize and Schedule: Allocate specific time blocks in your schedule for tasks that are both urgent and important to ensure they are addressed promptly. For tasks that are important but not urgent, set aside regular intervals for steady progress. 3. Delegate and Defer: Delegate tasks that are urgent but not important to trusted team members or external resources. For tasks that are neither urgent nor important, consider postponing them or eliminating them altogether.

In reality you manage activities, not time. Commitment to goals in line with your values are the North star, if you would, to accomplishing your long term objectives.

1. Divide Large Projects into Manageable Tasks: Break down major projects into smaller, actionable tasks, each with its own specific deadline. This approach helps to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensures steady progress towards goals. 2. Utilize Organizational Tools: Employ calendars and to-do lists to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and priorities. Allocate dedicated time slots for both reactive tasks (e.g., responding to emails) and proactive tasks (e.g., planning future events). 3. Include Buffers and Breaks: Schedule buffer times to handle unexpected tasks that may arise, preventing disruptions to your planned schedule. Additionally, incorporate regular breaks to recharge, which helps maintain overall productivity and focus.

Productivity and time management is always about self management . Take the time to attain clarity and understand what is most important to you . This will help you focus on certain actions and saying “no” to others. Managing time is also about managing your energy level . The higher, sustainable energy you have, the better your focus and productivity you have .

1. Break Down Goals into Milestones: Begin by mapping out your long-term philanthropic goals, then break them into smaller, achievable milestones. Ensure each milestone has a clear timeline and specific criteria for success. 2. Review and Adjust Regularly: Periodically assess your progress towards each milestone, making necessary adjustments to strategies and resources to stay on track and overcome any obstacles. 3. Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate each milestone reached to motivate your team and maintain momentum. This acknowledgment provides a sense of accomplishment and keeps everyone focused on advancing towards the long-term goals.

Without a doubt, Flexibility is the KEY- by embracing flexibility & adaptability in your philanthropy-focused career, you can effectively navigate uncertainties, capitalize on opportunities, and drive meaningful social impact in a dynamic and evolving landscape. Keep an open mind and be willing to consider alternative perspectives and solutions. Stay informed about emerging trends, best practices, and new developments in philanthropy and related fields. This knowledge equips you to adapt strategies and initiatives in response to evolving circumstances. You must improve your ability to make decisions quickly and decisively when faced with unexpected developments, thereby addressing immediate needs.

1. Regularly Review and Update Plans: Periodically assess your philanthropic strategies to ensure they stay relevant and aligned with your long-term goals. Be ready to adjust based on stakeholder feedback and emerging challenges or opportunities. 2. Develop Contingency Plans: Create detailed contingency plans for various scenarios and ensure your team is familiar with them. Conduct regular drills to stay prepared for sudden changes, enabling a swift response to emergencies. 3. Stay Informed and Network: Monitor industry trends and build strong networks with other philanthropic organizations. Staying informed and connected provides valuable insights and opportunities, helping you adapt quickly to new challenges and opportunities.

1. Identify and Connect with Partners: Seek out organizations and individuals aligned with your vision. Establish partnerships to discuss collaborative efforts and explore joint initiatives. 2. Define Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly outline each member's tasks and deadlines in a detailed plan. This ensures efficient coverage and prevents overlaps. 3. Maintain Regular Communication: Implement a communication strategy with regular meetings, updates, and feedback sessions. Use collaborative tools to keep everyone informed and aligned with the shared mission.

Learn to ask for help! In nonprofits and fundraising there will be no work done alone or in a vaccuum. Have the courage and humility to ask for help when you need it. Board members, colleagues, donors and personal family and friends have all helped me at some point. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

We need to have the wisdom on when to delegate and to whom so that the best mind in the team is put to work and get the best result. Be involved as a team member and be available to pitch in when needed. The shepherd is always at the front leading their flock to better field!

First, you need to define your macro strategy, then set your goals so that they are the path to follow when you reach them. With references to deadlines, you are responsible for creating them with your indicators, the more comprehensive and reliable they will be, the more accurate they will be. In the case of philanthropy, your projects, deadlines and goals must have an available and calculated budget from the beginning.