Stop Dreading Mondays: How Fundraisers Can Start the Week Right

I clearly remember walking into the development office, dreading opening up the CRM to start my fundraising week. 

Sometimes It was because I'd worked all day Saturday, and worried part of Sunday about the work that was waiting for me on Monday. Other times because there was a seemingly endless list of calls to make, meetings to secure and gifts to close.  

It doesn't have to be that way!

Every Monday morning can feel like a fresh start rather than a daunting task — it all depends on how you wrap up the previous week. If you find yourself dreading reviewing your major gift portfolio, then it might be time to rethink your Friday routine. Here’s how I began to ensure a smoother transition from one busy week to the next, keeping my energy positive and my mind clear, ready to help donors change the world.

End on a High Note

It’s so easy to rush through your last work day of the week, working to the last minute before you dash out the door. Whether you’re eager to pick up your child, meet friends, or simply relax with your dog, the key is in those final 45 minutes of your Friday.

Tidy Up: A clean desk does wonders for your mental state — and even offer a feeling of relief when you sit down again after the weekend. Take the time to organize your workspace, clearing out any clutter and setting yourself up for a calm return.

Reflect and Write: Reflect on the week — what goals did you meet, and what tasks are rolling over into next week? Make a list. This isn’t just busywork; it's about setting your priorities and acknowledging what you accomplished, which can be especially important if you are working solo or have an especially unsupportive team.

Detach with Peace: Understand that there’s never enough time to complete everything in the nonprofit world. Allow yourself to step into the weekend knowing that some tasks can wait. This break is crucial for mental rejuvenation. 

Create a Shutdown Ritual: I was intrigued by the computer shutdown ritual that Cal Newport, Ph.D. uses (which you can learn about at the end of a terrific "Deep Work" podcast on Hidden Brain, which I wrote about previously.)

Welcome Monday with Open Arms

Here's where a little planning on Friday pays off. Walking into a tidy office with a clear plan allows you to start your week on a proactive note, rather than reactive stance.

Brain Dump: First thing Monday, do as a friend of mine has taught me: sit down and jot down everything on your mind. This might include new ideas from the weekend or reminders of tasks from the list you made on Friday. This process helps clear your mind of any lingering thoughts and helps surface additional ideas, reminders and inspirations.

Prioritize: Review the list you made on Friday. Now that you have a fresh perspective, decide what needs immediate attention and what can be deferred. Review any urgent emails that have arrived and determine if they are important and urgent. Combine this with your brain dump results for a comprehensive view of your week ahead. 

Use Time Blocking: Don't let your schedule get nibbled away! Time for Deep Work on projects or tasks that require uninterrupted time deserve to have a 1-2 hour block of time from your calendar when needed. As a major gift officer, I suggest 40% of your time be dedicated to donor-facing work, and time blocking three 1-hour time blocks for thank you calls to donors, follow-ups or for discovery  and qualification calls can be key to building donor relationships. 

Use Your Tools: Embrace technology to keep you organized. I often use dictation to transfer my brain dump notes into a digital task manager like ChatGPT, which helps synthesize and organize them into actionable items.

The Joy of Mondays

Imagine coming to work, sitting at a clean desk, lists at the ready, feeling empowered to tackle the week — this can be your Monday! It's about ending well to begin even better. Our work can be joyful AND never-ending, so set yourself up for additional success, whether you're working from home or working from work.

Next Monday, as you sip your morning coffee and review your tasks, remember that you’re not just catching up; you're setting the stage to help your donors make a difference.