Note: This is adapted from my first book, Grassroots Grants, published in 1996. It still feels timely.

I once wrote on a job application, “I’ve learned to keep my sense of balance and my sense of humor under the usual constraints of not enough time and never enough money.” It’s a clever sentence, but in one sense it’s a lie. 

When I wrote it, I felt overwhelmed by the problems we face. I still do.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Your goal, as a changemaker, is to put that feeling in perspective and enjoy the victories you earn along the way. You need both balance and humor to survive, but mostly you need faith – faith in the power of change and your ability to create change. 

Here are a few suggestions to help you keep the faith and keep doing the work.

Honor your priorities

When I first met my spouse, I told her the two things I couldn’t tolerate were gross injustice and moldy dishes. In the intervening years, not much has changed. I’ve washed a lot of dishes and devoted most of my waking hours to organizing and raising money. Work has been the biggest part of my life because it gives me a sense of community and purpose.

Your priorities may be different. Honor them. 

If you spend time in meetings thinking about your children, go to fewer meetings and enjoy your kids more. If you feel the need to make things grow, like I do, put your hands in the dirt. If your faith is wavering, find quiet time and space to strengthen yourself spiritually. If you’re exhausted, take a nap.

Burnout is caused by people doing what they should instead of what they want. Give your favorite organization(s) whatever time and energy you can – give it wholeheartedly and passionately – then draw the line. In the long run, you will have more time and energy to share. 

Learn how to juggle 

Create your daily to-do list, then deal with the most pressing items first. Spend time each day raising money. Keep track of the bank balance, but don’t be obsessed. Say “thank you” whenever possible, for any reason. When you make a mistake, accept responsibility and solve the problem.

Most of all, keep your wits about you. When in doubt, think.

Don’t be a drudge

Give yourself lots of credit, then take a long break. Hike, swim, sleep, dance, ride a bike, go see a movie, make love with your sweetheart, cook an extravagant meal, stay up all night and read a good book.

Forget about the sorry state of the world for a few hours, and revel in the wondrous state of the world. To quote the late author and troublemaker Edward Abbey,

“Be as I am – a reluctant enthusiast, a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourself and your life for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it.”

Embrace the muddle

People rarely call a doctor when they’re healthy, and nobody looks for a consultant when their nonprofit is running smoothly. I spend a lot of time talking with folks who feel that their organizations are sick, and if makes them feel sick.

The first thing I ask is, “When you walked into the office and flipped the switch, did the lights go on?”

“Sure.”

“Aha! That’s a victory. You found enough money to pay the electric bill. How about the phone?”

“We’re talking, aren’t we?”

“Terrific. Another victory.”

This is a useful strategy for a therapist – my unofficial job title – but it’s probably cost me some consulting work. People don’t want to spend money to learn what they’re doing right; they want me to fix what’s wrong. 

We tend to undervalue what we accomplish just by showing up each day, pushing the work forward, and flying the flag of hope for everyone to see and admire. 

Corporate gurus have a name for this. They call it “muddle-through management,” and it’s gained respect as a legitimate way to run a small business or nonprofit. Muddle-through management might be the best way to save our world, which is a very muddled place. 

My advice: embrace the muddle!

Sorry, nothing’s perfect

In the perfect world, every group would have a comprehensive strategic plan, an ample budget, a hard-working board, and lots of staff. Everyone would be paid a living wage. All problems would have obvious solutions.

Alas, there is no perfect world, except the one we carry inside our hearts. The perfect organization doesn’t exist, except in our fantasies. Every nonprofit – even the most pragmatic, diverse, visionary, well-funded group – has a truckload of troubles.

Don’t assume that your group is the only one that’s broke and disorganized. You’re in excellent company, and you’re doing good work despite all those challenges.

It’s OK to strive for perfection, but don’t let your fantasies or frustrations interfere with that pile on your desk. Keep digging.