This blog post discusses 3 questions to ask yourself when you are pressed for time.

I remember being an overwhelmed executive director and getting an email about a time management course that I wanted to take.

And then I realized I didn’t have time for a time management course.

The irony made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Sound familiar?

As a new nonprofit executive director, you may feel you are juggling 100 balls at once. But instead of focusing on keeping all those balls in the air, sometimes it’s best to focus on which ones to DROP for better time management.

Here are 3 questions to ask yourself when you feel overwhelmed:

1. Does this task really need to be done?

Do we even need to do this? Why are we doing this? Is it really necessary or are we just following tradition? What is the benefit of completing this task?

2. Who owns this task?

Is this my job or is it my job to make sure this gets done? If you’re not sure, check all the job descriptions you have, including your own, board members, and staff. And just because the ED has done this task in the past doesn’t mean you have to continue.

3. If this isn’t my job, why am I doing it?

Do you believe the old saying, “If you want something done right you have to do it yourself?” Or do you need to feel indispensable?

Indispensable managers can be harmful. Remember, it’s your job to make sure your organization can run smoothly without you. It’s like being a good parent: you prepare your child to move away and live on their own.

I highly recommend “The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey” by Ken Blanchard. The book teaches us to concentrate on the most vital aspects of management rather than working efficiently to do things that we shouldn’t be doing.

The story revolves around a new manager (let’s call him Steve) who laments that things used to be a lot easier before he was promoted. Before his promotion, his performance depended strictly on his own efforts. In those days, the longer and harder he worked. the more he got done.

But as a manager, all he does is shuffle papers without ever making any progress on the real work that he needs to get done. He does more but accomplishes less. He unconsciously allows his staff members to transfer their responsibilities onto him because he is afraid to let them fail.

Steve eventually learns that the more he takes care of things for other people, the more dependent they become. In the process, their self-esteem and confidence are eroded which makes them even more dependent. It is important to allow your employees to grow by giving them opportunities to fail.

Summary: So, remember these 3 questions when you’re pressed for time:

1. Does this really need to be done?
2. Whose job is it?
3. If it isn’t my job, why am I doing it?

And Remember: You’re not alone. You can do this!