I want to continue this week to talk about coping with stress at nonprofits.

There are few things more stressful than having a dozen to-dos on your desk, and three staff members outside your door looking for answers to their urgent questions.

It’s essential to set priorities and to focus on what is most important. One of the practices I’ve always advocated for is the “Rule of Three” —identify and focus on just three priorities.

I’m convinced that “priority management” is more powerful than “time management.” Make sure that all of your activities, each day, are moving you past short-term priorities and toward longer-term goals. You’ll gain a feeling of control when you move away from being constantly in reactive mode. Don’t let the urgent rob time from more important long-term priorities.

Review your best ideas at least weekly, prioritize them, and think about when they can become actionable. Never treat long-term goals as something you plan to “get to” in a year.

Start each working day with priority management.

  • Do you keep lists to help organize your top priorities?

  • How can you align your short-term priorities with your long-term goals?