What do you do if your nonprofit team is overwhelmed with deadlines and projects?

I(f everything is a priority, then nothing is a priority, so always try to pull back to a core question: what will happen if this isn't done? Understand what is mission critical, what is nice to have, and what is a distraction. It is also easy to be swept along on someone else's agenda - So clarify whose agenda you are following?

As the team leader, it’s your job to make the hard choices, determining what can be deferred, paused, or cut without harming essential operations to create some breathing room for your team. Look for things that can be moved to different times or schedules, or things that can be paused until a later date, understanding that these decisions may not please everyone. Communicate transparently with your team to ensure they understand the reasons behind these decisions and to maintain their trust and morale. By making these adjustments, you can help your team focus on their most critical tasks and reduce unnecessary stress.

If your nonprofit team is overwhelmed with deadlines and projects, prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact on the mission. Delegate responsibilities effectively, leveraging team strengths. Communicate openly about workload concerns and seek realistic solutions, such as adjusting timelines or redistributing tasks. Encourage breaks and offer support to prevent burnout. Implement efficient project management strategies, like using tools for task tracking and scheduling. Foster a collaborative environment where team members can share resources and support each other. Lastly, review processes for efficiency and identify areas for improvement to better manage future workloads.

I wholeheartedly support the idea of taking breaks and stepping away from the computer to reset. More organizations should cultivate a culture where there are weekly activities for employees, snack/coffee areas, and weekly lunches. Taking breaks provides time for employees to rest their minds and think about things other than work. It also allows them to mingle with their coworkers and participate in company events. Mental Refreshment Stress Reduction Enhanced Social Interaction Increased Productivity By fostering a culture that values and encourages breaks, organizations can support their employee's well-being and, in turn, benefit from a more productive and motivated workforce.

Invite your team to assess what's going on and bring back recommendations. Often, they see steps that can be eliminated or goals that need to be redefined. In an early post, I went to my boss feeling overwhelmed. She asked me to come back with a list of the tasks-prioritize. I made the list and saw the answer--without any need for her input.

That sounds like a recipe for burnout. Consolidate and collaborate. The people and the mission suffer when resources are spread too thin. This sounds like the perfect situation to stop for a moment and have a strategy session. Once a good stopping point is reached, take some time to reassess strategic filters so it won't keep happening.

I like Elise's recommendation to have a strategy session. Also, I would investigate why people feel overwhelmed. For example, is there a poor alignment of expectations about board membership? Is there a poor distribution of tasks among members? Are some tasks better handled by outsourcing them to a professional? Are your board members committed to follow-through and hands-on work?

Many times...Boards are motivated by Hearts and Feelings for their Audiences...Budget...Goals and Financial support is Not in their comfort zone...

If your nonprofit team is overwhelmed with deadlines and projects, take proactive steps to alleviate pressure. Start by prioritizing tasks and projects based on urgency and impact. Consider delegating responsibilities to distribute the workload more evenly among team members. Communicate openly with your team about workload concerns and explore ways to streamline processes or adjust timelines where possible. Encourage breaks and self-care to prevent burnout, and consider seeking additional temporary help or volunteers if feasible. Regularly review and adjust priorities as needed to maintain productivity and morale.