This time of year is an invigorating season of growth and renewal. Spring cleaning isn’t just for physical dwellings. Chances are most of us could benefit from dedicating some time to sprucing up our work as well. Explore the six ideas below to help keep your organization thriving.
1. Self-care.
[A pair of hands gently cups a yellow wildflower. – Photo by Lina Trochez]
First and foremost, recognize that spring activity typically emerges after a period of dormancy and relaxation. Many for-impact organizations have barely had a chance to catch their breath in the past two years. Remember to prioritize well-being for yourself and others, while setting realistic expectations and creating rewarding opportunities.
2. Tidy up your donor database and mailing lists.
[A group gathers around a computer discussing what is on the screen. – Photo by Mimi Thian]
This is easiest to tackle in regular intervals, doing small portions at a time. Ideally, this will reduce accidental blunders and cut back on time-consuming manual corrections in the future.
3. Organize your photos and videos.
[A photo album is open displaying curated photographs. – Photo by Laura Fuhrman]
These can take up oodles of space and can sometimes feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack while blindfolded. Keep only the good ones and organize them in a way that makes it user-friendly for all members of the team that will be seeking them throughout the year.
4. Weed through your files.
[Multiple stacks of documents and folders sit together in an office. – Photo by Wesley Tingey]
This can apply to both physical and digital files. The purging of irrelevant and outdated files will create more space and cut down on the time it takes to find the proper files when you need them.
5. Revisit your goals or strategic plan.
[A presenter discusses the information on the wall with a group of people. – Photo by Jason Goodman]
Let’s face it, many of us are no longer sure what the situation may be several years down the road. Allow yourself and your team grace and creativity as you create and work toward short and long-term goals. Provide the space and flexibility to revise objectives as needed.
6. Cultivate donors with meaningful touchpoints.
[Two people connecting through a conversation. – Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com]
It could be a personalized email, mailing a quick thank you note, a brief phone call to just check in, or sharing a relevant news article. Thoughtful communication reminds your donors how integral they are to your organization. We could all benefit from an extra ounce of unexpected kindness.