When EVERYTHING is a priority, what comes first?

Running a nonprofit means wearing a lot of hats.  On some days, the hardest question is also the simplest: What should I be working on right now?

The phone rings.  The doorbell rings.  You stop to talk with someone from the community, and suddenly 45 minutes are gone.  The conversation may have mattered, but the work you planned to finish is still sitting on your desk.

Outreach and relationships are part of the job.  Still, the executive director does not have to answer every call or every knock at the door.  If you have staff or volunteers, consider what they can take on.  If you are the organization’s only employee, I know that is easier said than done. Every interruption lands with you.

That is when a conversation with your board can help.  Sit down together and ask: What matters most between now and our next board meeting?  Are we focused on seeking donations, getting compliance work in order, or moving a program forward?  There may be 30 things on your list.  Which seven really need to get done first?

I developed a simple priorities sheet to help executive directors and boards answer those questions together. Together, you can use it to identify the most important work for the next several weeks, set realistic deadlines, and name what can wait.  When something new comes up, you have a shared list to help decide whether it belongs at the top.

Nobody wants to be micromanaged by their board. Board members don't want to be in the weeds, or in the way.   You still need room to lead and decide how the work gets done.  However,  when you and your board agree on the priorities, you can spend less time guessing what they expect and more time moving the organization forward.

How to make the priorities conversation useful:

Before your next board meeting, write down everything competing for your time.  Ask the board to help you identify the seven items that matter most before you meet again.  For each one, agree on what “done” looks like and a realistic deadline.  Then identify what can wait or be handled by someone else.  The board helps set direction; the executive director decides how to carry out the work.

I have created a digital download that will help you get your priorities in order, and ensure that you are working on what matters most! Get it Here.