Killing the Infinite To-Do List

First, I’m trying to write this one quickly because I got married last Saturday and I’ve felt guilty for doing even the slightest bit of work this week! Sorry in advance for the spelling/grammar errors.

I want to discuss a piece of paper that has sat on my desk since about October. I call it my “Infinite To-Do list”. Sure, I have other similar pieces of paper on my desk. These other to-do lists usually last about a day before I kill them off or, if I procrastinate, sometimes they stick around for the week. But this one, it’s different. This list contains everything that I don’t know how or when to do, but think are important for Urbantastic if not essential. It is a list of everything that my duties require of me that I don’t feel I’m apt to do. I either don’t have the available time or skill. It’s humbling and frustrating.

But here is my observation. I’m not alone, particularly in this field of non-profit work. In the last few months I’ve managed to sit near a fair share of director’s desks and talk about micro-volunteering. I explain to them that there’s a new way to engage with the volunteers they have and the new ones they want. All that’s required of them is to inform (social media) and involve (micro-volunteering). I often use phrases like “consult the crowd” to describe the power behind this idea. I make it clear that there are skilled and talented people out there ready and waiting to help out. All that is required is that you think of things for them to do. That however, is when the gears grind and the car stalls.

“What should I get them to do?” they ask.

I say, dust off your to-do lists and ask. It’s a very liberating experience. We recently realized as a non-profit with a budding posse of supporters, why not we also engage in micro-volunteering? (novel idea eh?) It’s been a fantastic experience already. Thanks to micro-volunteer Devlon Duthie for offering to photograph us!

I leave these five points of borrowed wisdom.

1) Complaining about the to-do list doesn’t get it done (ever).
2) No one knows you need help until you ask.
3) People love helping non-profits in need.
4) You probably weren’t going to get that task done this year anyway.
5) That task engages a supporter in a brand-new way.

Remember that last part, I think it’s one of those killing two birds with one stone scenarios.

Benjamin