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September 10, 2015 By Helen Brown Leave a Comment

Creating calm within the storm

This week I’m delighted to feature HBG Senior Researcher Jennifer Turner as guest blogger. I’ve always admired Jen’s ability to be organized and calm in the midst of a flurry of activity. Here she shares some of the secrets she’s discovered…

Traffic calming

Ping! Another email. Pong! An instant message from a coworker asking for advice on evaluating hedge fund compensation. Bzzz. The sound of a new text message. Your 2:00 meeting is running behind and you’ll be late for your 3:30 meeting.

Sound familiar? Given all of these distractions, it’s amazing we ever get anything accomplished in a typical work day. Add to that the endless amount of information that is readily available with just a few taps on the keyboard, and we may find ourselves thinking our projects are never going to feel complete.

As a home-office based worker, I am certainly grateful for the vast amount of resources available on the internet that allow me to work from anywhere and still be available for school pick-ups. I also love that I can verify that final piece of information of an almost-complete profile after the kids have gone to bed from the comfort of my home office. I find myself struggling, sometimes, to maintain some sort of control.

We’re all constantly threatened by the numerous distractions we are regularly faced with as a result of modern technology. But there are solutions available!

HOW TO MANAGE – CREATING CALM

Tony Crabbe offers suggestions on how we can take back control of our lives in a world of “too much” in his book How to Thrive in a World of Too Much Busy (Piatkus, 2014). His advice:

  • Tackle the hardest tasks first, when you are freshest. Set aside the first 30 to 60 minutes of your work day for this task. If possible, do so even before opening your email. If this isn’t possible, then at least turn off your email notifier while you are working on the task.
  • Minimize multi-tasking. Do one thing at a time (when possible), and do so in bigger chunks of time. Constantly switching back and forth between projects makes us less effective, thereby decreasing productivity. It takes time to “gear up” every time a task is revisited. Work on the task in an allotted chunk of time rather than in spurts.
  • Refresh your attention. When you feel yourself start to lose momentum choose easier tasks (such as responding to those emails you had been avoiding earlier in the day). Or select a part of the task that is better suited for your mood and continue to make some sort of progress.
  • Give your mind some down time. We are constantly surrounded by stimulation devices, but if we are always “tuning in” to these devices, we are not giving our minds time to digest and actually learn the new information. Give your brain a break from stimulation. Allow it to reflect and turn new information into your own insight. Some of your most creative ideas may to start take shape.
  • Use tools specifically designed to help you manage time. For example, check out rescuetime.com, a web-based time management and analytics tool that allows users to track how they spend their time on the computer. See for yourself how you spend your time and create goals to help you improve the time you spend on the more productive tasks.

No matter how hard you try to follow these suggestions, there are still going to be times when you feel like you just can’t handle one more task. Maybe next week’s meeting with a prospect has been moved to tomorrow, and the development officer needs the profile by the end of the day today. Or an unexpected gift from a new prospect demands immediate attention in order for the gift to be properly acknowledged. Or (as happened at HBG all last week!!), your favorite resource has technical issues and is unavailable at random and (of course) critically important times.

When faced with these challenges, remain positive.

Walt Disney, the consummate optimist, believed that by taking chances people could accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. But those tasks would never get done if people didn’t BELIEVE it was possible. Lots of people have reasons for not starting a project or for not giving a task the attention it (or the client) is owed. Instead, they make excuses and produce a stockpile of reasons why it can’t be done.

It’s easy to respond to tough challenges with “No, because…”

But what if you try “Yes, if…”?

Harrison “Buzz” Price, a research economist who worked with Disney, recommends that busy people use the response “Yes, if…” to further demands on their time.

In his book Walt’s Revolution! By the Numbers (Ripley Entertainment, Inc., 2003), Price describes the “Yes, if…” method as “the language of an enabler.” While “No, because…” and “Yes, if…” responses both acknowledge difficulty in squeezing in a new task, “Yes, if…” points to what needs to be done to make the request possible.

“Yes, if…” is the approach of a deal maker. It highlights solutions rather than emphasizing the problem, allowing you to get what you need in order to make the deal possible. It makes you a smart negotiator and a solution finder – a successful combination.

Give “Yes, if…” a try. Be an advocate for yourself and take control of the situation by saying what you need for success.

And now that you have that new task ahead of you, don’t forget to silence your cell phone. Turn off your email notifier. Let voice mail answer your desk phone. Take a deep breath. Create a space of calm within the storm.

You’ll do your best work.

 

Filed Under: Career development, Strategic planning Tagged With: creating calm, Harrison Price, managing information overload, Tony Crabbe

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David’s career in prospect research began in 2009, as a graduate research assistant at the Shippensburg University Foundation. In 2011, He became a development researcher for the University of Virginia. In 2015, David became assistant director of prospect research at the University of Baltimore, serving for 3 years. Recently, he was the director of development for Trees Forever. David Joined the Helen Brown Group as a research assistant in January 2020. He earned a B.A. in Theater at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a M.A. in Applied History at Shippensburg University. David is a member of APRA and APRA Great Plains.

Kenny has worked in development since 1999 and has been involved in prospect research since 2002.

Prior to joining The Helen Brown Group, he was the director of donor and prospect research at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay. Kenny is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Tara first began her career in development in 2002 supporting the Major Gifts department at Simmons College, and ultimately went on to serve as Assistant Director of Prospect Research. Since that time, she has also worked as a Senior Research Analyst at MIT, as Associate Director of Prospect Management and Research at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and as Director of Development Research at Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP).

Tara originally joined the Helen Brown Group team in 2007 and served as a Research Associate and ShareTraining coordinator until 2008 – she rejoined the company as a Senior Researcher in 2013 and was promoted to her current role in 2018.

She has been an active volunteer with NEDRA for many years and served on the board of directors from 2010-2016. During her time on the NEDRA board, she served in many different roles, including terms as Vice President, Secretary, Chair of the Website and Technology Committee, Chair of the Volunteer Committee, and as Chair and Editor of NEDRA News. She is currently a member of the NEDRA Bootcamp faculty. In addition, Tara has also been involved as a volunteer with Apra, serving stints on the Membership Committee, Chapters Committee, and Bylaws Task Force.

Angie began her career in development in 1999 at Virginia Tech in Corporate and Foundation Relations and later in prospect research at the University of Connecticut Foundation.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin, her experience includes grants management at the University of South Carolina, program evaluation for South Carolina Research Authority and human resources analysis for Nissan North America.

She returned to development in 2007 and worked in various prospect research positions at Vanderbilt University, including Associate Director. She was named Director for Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s research office in 2015, and joined The Helen Brown Group in 2016.

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Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

In March 2017, Kristina joined the Helen Brown Group as a Research Associate. Before joining HBG, she was the Research Manager at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and an Associate Manager of Prospect Research at City Harvest, a food rescue organization. Kristina started her non-profit career as a legal assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2004.  She is a member of Apra and Apra Greater New York. She was Apra Greater New York’s Director of Programming from June 2014 to May 2016. Kristina graduated from The University of Chicago and the Bard Graduate Center.

Grace began her career in development in 2001 as Executive Assistant to the Chief Development Officer with Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), a Harvard Medical School-affiliated academic medical center.

In 2003, she became a prospect researcher for the BWH principal and major gifts team and spent the next 11 years in various research positions with BWH, culminating as Assistant Director of Prospect Research. She has been affiliated with The Helen Brown Group since January 2014.

Heather began her career in 2002 as a prospect research coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and then moved to Carroll College in 2004.

In 2005, Heather began working on her own as a freelancer and eventually started her own consulting firm, Willis Research Services, in 2007. She joined The Helen Brown Group in 2012.

Heather is a member of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement and the Montana Nonprofit Association.

Jennifer began her career in development at her alma mater, Wheaton College, where she was an administrative assistant for the major gifts department.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in March 2008. She earned a master’s degree in library science from the Southern Connecticut State University in May 2009. Jennifer is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Rick has been a member of the Helen Brown Group team since 2005. Prior to joining HBG, Rick was director of research at St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. Rick has worked in development since 1996, both in prospect research and major gifts fund raising. His experience includes the University of Vermont, Phillips Exeter Academy and St. Paul’s School.

Rick is past president of NEDRA and is a member of and frequent volunteer for APRA.

Josh began his career in development as the Phonathon Coordinator at Keene State College. He then worked at non-profit consulting firm Schultz & Williams in Philadelphia.

He started his research career at the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Assistant in 2005. He then moved over to the Wharton School of Business, where he became the Associate Director, Research and Prospect Management. Josh joined the Helen Brown Group in 2016.

Josh is also a Colorado licensed Realtor and graduate of Lehigh University.

Mandi has worked in prospect research and management since 2006. She began her development career as a research analyst in development research at City of Hope, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Los Angeles. From there, she became the manager of prospect development at Huntington Memorial Hospital, a community hospital in Pasadena, CA. Most recently, she was the associate director of prospect research and management at Occidental College, a private liberal arts college in LA.

Mandi has a BA degree in print journalism from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree of library and information science from UCLA.

She joined the Helen Brown Group in May 2019.

Kelly began her career in development in 2008 as an administrative assistant in Major Gifts at Wheaton College.

In 2010, she became a research analyst at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the Division of Development & Jimmy Fund as part of the prospect identification team. Kelly joined The Helen Brown Group in 2013.

She is a member of APRA and NEDRA.

Jayme began her career in development in 2008 at the Rutgers University Foundation, where she spent the next seven years, first in prospect management and then prospect research. She spent several years at Monmouth University as their senior prospect research analyst, working with the fundraising staff, university president, and top leadership. She has worked as both a volunteer and consultant for non-profits in the areas of research and writing.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Drew University and a master of communication and information sciences from Rutgers University. She is a member of APRA.

Jayme joined The Helen Brown Group in April 2019.

Julie has managed finances for The Helen Brown Group since its founding.

In her spare time, she is an editor for the PBS series Masterpiece at WGBH. Julie was nominated twice for an Emmy award for her work on the PBS show Zoom.

Heather began her career in development in 2001 as a prospect researcher for National Wildlife Federation (NWF). She was with NWF for more than thirteen years, including nearly five years as director of research and analytics. Heather is a former secretary of the board of directors of APRA-Metro DC.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2014.

David began his career in development at The Gunnery school in northwest Connecticut in 2011, where he worked in database management and prospect research. Subsequently, he joined the College of Saint Rose as a development research analyst before leading Albany Medical Center Foundation’s prospect research efforts as Associate Director of Prospect Research. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Siena College and is a member of APRA and CASE.

Michele began her career in development in 2012 when she joined the UC Berkeley corporate and foundation relations team as a development analyst. She spent a year and a half at Cal before returning to UC Davis as a prospect analyst. She was with the prospect management and relations team at UC Davis for almost three years prior to joining the research and relationship management team at George Washington University as a Senior Prospect Analyst in 2016.

Michele received her BA in creative writing from Florida State University and her MA in higher education leadership from CSU Sacramento. She currently resides in Northern Virginia, is a member of Apra International, and serves as the social media chair for Apra Metro DC. Michele joined The Helen Brown Group in July 2018.

Angie has worked in development since 2002, partnering with a wide range of nonprofit institutions. She began her professional career at Vanderbilt University in research and prospect development.

She has also worked with a number of community nonprofits in front-line fundraising, grant-writing, and event management. Angie holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a BS in Journalism from Middle Tennessee State University. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a member of AFP Nashville and APRA MidSouth, where she has been active on the executive team.

She joined The Helen Brown Group in October 2015.

Maureen has been a part of the non-profit world since 1991. She started out in annual giving at Harvard Law School and continued her career as director of annual/special gifts at UC Santa Cruz.

In 1999 she made the switch from front-line fundraising to serve as director of prospect research/management at Bentley University and in 2001 began her role as administrator for the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester. She became part of the HBG team in September of 2011.

Helen has been a development professional since 1987. Her previous experience includes The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Albert Einstein Institution, Boston College, the Harvard School of Public Health and Northeastern University.

Currently she works with a variety of clients to establish, benchmark and re-align research departments; identify major gift prospects; and train researchers and other fundraisers through on-site and web-based training services.Helen is a former member of the board of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) and is past president of the New England Development Research Association (NEDRA). In 2006 she received the NEDRA Ann Castle Award for service to the prospect research community.

Helen is Special Advisor on Fundraising to the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester and is a member of the board of directors of Factary Ltd. (Bristol, UK). She is a member of NEDRA, APRA, the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP), Women In Development, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Researchers in Fundraising (UK).

Helen is a frequent speaker and has led seminars for a number of professional associations, including Action Planning, AFP, APRA, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), NEDRA, RIF, the Planned Giving Council of Central Massachusetts, the Georgia Center on Nonprofits, the International Fundraising Congress and Resource Alliance.

Helen is also co-author (with Jen Filla) of the book, Prospect Research for Fundraisers (Wiley & Sons, 2013).

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