One thing we cannot buy with money is time. Many nonprofit professionals are working full-time, running another business, or facing a time conflict. These hurdles can limit them from giving their nonprofit a traditional 40-hour workweek.
When I initially started my nonprofit organization, L.O.V.E. Our Youth, Inc. (L.O.V.E.), there was a period where I was working and going to school full-time on top of all my other responsibilities. My nonprofit is my passion and purpose so letting go of it was not an option. I had to get creative and here are some ways I made it work:
Time Management
Nights and weekends were my prime time. This was the time I used to plan and organize projects for L.O.V.E. Although I had less than 10 hours a week to work on projects consistently, I was able to maximize those hours to help in the organization’s growth.
Scheduling Time
Just as I would have a schedule for work and school, I created a schedule for working on my nonprofit projects. In addition, I would utilize various time management techniques to help me get 20 hour results in less than 10. One of my favorite techniques is the Pomodoro method. To learn more about this technique in this blog post by Chris Winfield, How to Get 40 Hours of Work Done in 16.7
Giving & Socializing
Most of the time hanging with my friends and family involved us working on a project for L.O.V.E. It was a great way to get my loved ones connected to our cause and still work toward growing the organization.
Don’t Do it Alone
Imagine if you had three other people committing 10 hours a week to your organization. That’s 40 hours a week dedicated to growing your mission!
With all of these tactics in place, I saw my visions for L.O.V.E come to life. This process can be overwhelming; so if you find yourself feeling this way remember to take it one step at a time and don’t do it alone. I am always here to help you reach your nonprofit goals! If you’re interested, feel free to read about my services under the ‘Services’ section of my website! I would love the opportunity to join you on your nonprofit journey!
