Feeling Like Your Tech is Holding Back Your Nonprofit Work? (The Guerilla Approach to Optimizing Your Org)
Do you ever feel like your nonprofit efforts aren't as impactful as they could be? You might suspect that the tools your organization is (or isn’t!) using are part of the problem. Perhaps you've become the accidental "tech" person, but you don't feel qualified or influential enough to make significant changes. So, what’s the next step?
Here’s where I’d start (Hint: It’s not with the tech!).
The Guerrilla Approach to Optimizing a Nonprofit
Begin by making your own work more effective. When you become more efficient, your colleagues will notice and want to join in. Here are some practical steps to get you started:
⭐ Read "Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg
Understanding how to hack your brain is almost guaranteed to show you that building good routines can make a big difference on your day. And, spoiler, you’ll find out that: It’s not about “trying harder.” Tools are useless without good habits and routines. “Tiny Habits” is a great place to start. It provides insights into how small changes can lead to significant improvements in your productivity.
⭐ Schedule Some Nature Time Each Week
Even if it’s just a little, getting outside is crucial no matter how busy you are. Nature boosts your brain with positive chemicals and feels like a treat. Reward yourself for starting. This small habit can refresh your mind and improve your overall effectiveness. Your team will be inspired too!
⭐ Develop a Deep Work Routine
Start with a summary of Cal Newport’s "Deep Work." Aim small: 50 minutes per week, split into two pomodoros. Eliminate distractions and give yourself time to think, write, and review this question: What’s hindering your effectiveness? (focus on the area’s that you can influence like your inbox, your task list, your work rhythms, or lack of…).
This habit will snowball over time. You might need an accountability partner—meet weekly, chat briefly, then turn off your cameras and/or mics (if remote) and dive into 50 minutes of focused work.
Your weekly review will provide insights. Identify your biggest distractions, time-wasters, inefficient tasks, and areas for improvement. Keep a list and prioritize changes based on ease of implementation.
Enhancing Your Workflows with Simple Power-Ups
Once you’ve established good habits, you can start enhancing your workflows with simple power-ups that don’t require team involvement. Think AI tools, browser extensions, and methods like PARA and CODE to help you organize.
AI Tools to Boost Efficiency
Monica.AI: This tool can be embedded in your workflow, help you think through a problem more effectively, write more powerfully, summarise succinctly or just give you feedback.
Fathom: Use this for call note-taking and send instant summaries straight after a meeting.
Organizational Methods
PARA by Tiago Forte: A framework for organizing your knowledge more effectively, whether folders, notes, bookmarks and more!
CODE Method: Another system by Tiago Forte that helps you adjust your frame of mind when you capture, organise and work on your knowledge.
Productivity Enhancers
Calendly: A calendar booking tool to reduce email back and forth.
Inbox settings: Break out promotions and updates to help you reduce your inbox overload quicker and get a plugin to quickly convert emails to tasks.
Task Systems: Make sure you can see and prioritise your tasks so they’re not stuck in your head.
Checker Plus: A Chrome extension to remind you about your next appointment, which you can dismiss until a certain amount of minutes before your call so you don’t miss it!
Daily planning: Look in to Cal Newport’s time blocking method to help you use your day more effectively.
Inspire Your Team
As your colleagues see your increased effectiveness, they’ll want to join in.
By starting with these simple, everyday changes, you can lead by example and gradually transform your nonprofit’s effectiveness and impact.
Remember, the key is to start small, develop good habits, and use tools to enhance—not replace—your effectiveness.