It’s been amazingly dry here lately. Our pastures have become brown and crunchy.
Then yesterday, for the first time in weeks, we had a long, steady rain. And again today, it rained. It was so refreshing!
I started thinking about how sometimes working in fundraising can be like that.
We can have long dry spells, where we’re working as hard as we can, trying everything we can think of, but nothing seems to be happening. When small nonprofit organizations go for long periods of time without income, in can become very stressful.
If you happen to experience these times (and I hope you don’t!), be sure to engage in activities that refresh you. Make sure to schedule yourself some personal time for fun and rejuvenation. Get a massage or go for a walk. Do something you enjoy. It will help you tremendously when it’s time to face the fundraising tasks again.
Personally, I love anything outside – weeding the garden, repairing a fence, or scratching a horse’s itchy neck. There’s something about being outside in nature that feeds me.
I’d love to hear what you do that refreshes you. Click on the comment link and share.
Baking.
When I’m stressed out nothing quite refreshes me like baking bread or a pie or a cake or a batch of cookies. My friends don’t call me June Cleaver for nothing!
Fortunately another great stress reliever is exercise. Give me a good run on the nature trail or 45 minutes in the weight room and I’m set for the day.
A fun post. Thanks Sandy!
Thanks Pamela!
Sandy
Sandy,
Whether there is a dry spell or not, I believe it is a good idea to take time out for yourself to recharge. I make time for walks, photography, reading, and watching movies. People ask me how I get so much done and getting away from the work on a regular basis is one of the ways. Thanks for the reminder.
I think you’re right Roger that getting away from work regularly makes time at work more productive.
Sandy
Sandy, I’m a believer in making sure that we “feed” ourselves with time and support as much as we feed our clients or donors or the community. Thanks for your post!
Great reminder, Sandy. We all need to avoid burnout. I always connect with friends and family -socializing is a great way to recharge.