Mastering Your Priorities: How Nonprofit Leaders Can Achieve Big Goals
As a nonprofit leader, I know how easy it is to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands on your time. It often feels like there’s never enough time to focus on what really matters. But over the years, I’ve learned that achieving your biggest goals doesn’t come from working harder — it comes from working smarter. It’s about shifting your priorities, focusing on what truly moves the needle, and letting go of what doesn’t.
In this article, I’ll share how you can make intentional changes to your daily decisions, break free from cycles of busywork, and stay focused on the high-impact tasks that drive real progress.
Why Leaders Struggle to Reach Their Goals
At the beginning of the year, we all set big goals — increase fundraising, expand programs, or strengthen our impact. But soon enough, we find ourselves buried in the daily grind. The emails, meetings, and unexpected emergencies take over, leaving little time for the strategic work we set out to do. Sound familiar?
The truth is, most nonprofit leaders aren’t failing because they lack ambition. They’re struggling because they’re spending too much time on low-reward tasks and not enough time on the high-reward activities that lead to real change.
The Priority Matrix: How to Evaluate Your Tasks
To get back on track, I recommend using a simple matrix that evaluates your tasks based on two factors:
Reward: How much impact will this task have on your goals?
Urgency: How soon does it need to be completed?
Here’s how I break it down:
High Reward, High Urgency: These tasks are both impactful and time-sensitive. Think of major gift solicitations or preparing for a board meeting. These need your immediate attention.
High Reward, Low Urgency: This is where your long-term strategic work lives — donor cultivation, program development, or leadership growth. These tasks drive significant progress and deserve your regular focus.
Low Reward, High Urgency: Administrative tasks and minor issues often fall into this category. While they may seem pressing, they don’t contribute much to your big-picture goals. Delegate these whenever possible.
Low Reward, Low Urgency: If it’s not impactful and not urgent, it’s time to let it go. Freeing yourself from these tasks will open up space for what really matters.
My Top Strategies for Prioritizing Like a Leader
1. Future First
Each day, I make sure to spend time on my high-reward, low-urgency tasks. These are the activities that will bring the biggest return in the long run. If I wait until they become urgent, I’ve already lost valuable time.
2. Track Your Time
I often recommend leaders track how they’re spending their time for one week. It’s eye-opening to see how much time gets eaten up by low-reward activities. Once you see the patterns, you can intentionally shift your focus.
3. Celebrate Your Wins
We don’t celebrate enough. When you make progress — whether it’s launching a campaign or securing a major gift — take a moment to acknowledge it. Celebrating creates momentum and reminds you why you’re doing this work.
4. Delegate Strategically
If a task doesn’t require your expertise, delegate it. Your time as a leader is valuable, and your focus should be on high-level priorities. Trust your team to take ownership of lower-reward tasks.
5. Set Boundaries
One of the most powerful things I’ve learned is how to say no. Every yes to a low-reward task is a no to something that could move your organization forward. Protect your time by politely declining requests that don’t align with your goals.
A Real-Life Example
I once worked with a nonprofit leader who felt like she was constantly putting out fires. After applying this framework, she set office hours for non-urgent staff questions, delegated routine tasks, and reserved uninterrupted time for donor cultivation. Within months, she reported feeling more energized and achieved record-breaking fundraising results.
Take Action Today
Shifting your priorities isn’t about making drastic changes overnight. Start small. Choose one high-reward task that you’ve been putting off and commit to tackling it today. Then, apply the matrix to your to-do list and see where you can make adjustments.
If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, I invite you to explore my Influence Coaching Program. Together, we’ll identify your biggest priorities, eliminate what’s holding you back, and build a plan for achieving your most ambitious goals.
Let’s connect and get started. Your goals are within reach, and I’m here to help you achieve them.