Another week begins and finds you staring at “it” again. What’s IT? Your desk. And it’s a mess…again.
I see your desk over there, and you should have seen mine just a few weeks ago. The summer is starting to move to its last days and shifting from vacation brain to work mode can be difficult at times. In fact, it can be downright impossible.
I know. I’ve been there. It doesn’t help when you have a full team and staff waiting for you to give them directives on what to do next. You are looking at that pile on your desk and looking at the emails in your inbox; and, it’s enough to make you just throw your hands up and walk out. No online system is going to “save” you. Let’s be honest. You still write everything down in you planner anyway. So, how can a busy professional like you get organized when you already feel so overwhelmed?
Here are 3 tips for getting organized today before tomorrow shows up to see your desk (and work life) in a mess.
Delegate 3 tasks. Yep! I mean it. Delegation is not just about getting something off your “to-do” list. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to grow your team members’ skills and confidence. It models teamwork, allows for vulnerability, and fosters connection. When done well, it actually encourages your team members to come back for more (yes…more) because they know you are invested in their growth. So think about three things you have on your list this week you can ask a team member to step in and handle. Make sure you’re clear on what success looks like and what challenges they may face so you aren’t asking them to do a task you will ultimately take back.
Create 3 priority stacks for projects. Prioritize your project work. What’s going to move the needle and make progress to your goals? What is important to someone else’s agenda but not to yours? What will involve lots of other people in order to get it done? Make a DO NOW, DO LATER, and DO WITH OTHERS stack for your projects. Step back and see which is the biggest pile and why. Here’s where you need to be brutal. Do you have the right piles? Are you spending too much time on the wrong things?
Close your calendar or planner and move it to the side until you need it. It’s human nature to look at our calendar or planner every minute (especially if you’re like me and you keep all your tasks in one of those places). But it’s also very distracting because it’s often a reminder of what we didn’t get to yet as opposed to what we have accomplished. In other words, it’s a distraction. So put it away until you are finished what’s in front of you (or until you need it).
Are these tips what you need to make this upcoming year spectacular? I’d say it’s a good start! But, I know you need a little more as well. And I’ve got a solution that will help you become a better manager before you drop your first annual appeal letter in the mail!
Before we say goodbye to summer, I’ve teamed up with the good folks at Bloomerang to have one last hurrah — at KISH CAMP!
What is KISH Camp?
This is a virtual management Masterclass I created to help managers looking to grow their skills and lead with confidence. You might be a new manager still trying to figure it out or a seasoned manager dealing with one specific challenge. Maybe you’re struggling with one of the hardest parts of managing people — delegation. Or maybe you need practice on how to have tough conversations.
Together, we will cover the areas I see managers struggling with the most (and believe me, I’ve struggled with these too).
Picture it – Live Sessions, Campfire style learning, a community of like-minded managers, and ME leading the charge all from the comfort of your home or favorite coffee shop!
Kish Camp will give you all the strategies you need to head into the fall with the tools you need to meet and exceed your goals in your management bag.
Here’s what we will cover in Kish Camp that’ll set you up for success!
Delegating to Win | Dealing with Performance | Team Planning + Development | Mastering Meetings Enjoy campfire conversations, SMORES, and getting to know your fellow campers (I mean it’s lonely out here for a manager). And if you’re a fundraiser looking for CFRE credits – you’ll earn 4 credits with KISH CAMP.
You ready for camp? It starts Tuesday 8/28
Grab your Kish Camp Spot here! Use Code: bloomie50 to get $50 off the price of the course!
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