17 Ideas for Your “Winter Arc”

A roadmap to ending the year well at your nonprofit

As we move into the final stretch of the year, I’m reminded of my first fall at BDI… Our team gathered around the conference table, juggling year-end projects and sharing stories about our most rewarding (and most challenging!) moments.

We all agreed on one thing: The year-end season can be both exhilarating and exhausting.

Nonprofit teams everywhere are feeling the pressure – caring for your donors and volunteers, coordinating events and making that last big push for holiday donations. It’s a demanding period that can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to finish strong and set the stage for a successful new year.

We know firsthand how hectic this time can be. That’s why we asked some of BDI’s leaders to share their best advice on navigating these final months and avoiding burnout in the workplace! We hope these insights will help your nonprofit end the year well with confidence and a sense of accomplishment. 

Thank Your Team!

“As you wrap up the year and wish your team Merry Christmas, don’t forget to thank them! 

Year-end is challenging, and taking the time to show your appreciation can go a long way. I recently read that 81% of employees say they are motivated to work harder when their boss shows appreciation for their work. 

You can share appreciation for your team by hosting a casual team lunch, sending personalized thank you notes to your key staff members or by giving public affirmation to a job well-done. 

By ending the new year with a culture of gratitude and celebration for each other’s hard work, you’re setting a tone that will motivate and energize your team for the new year.” 

– Katrina Williams, Senior Marketing Manager

Be Intentional About Your Daily Routine

“Don’t forget to take care of yourself this holiday season. Lower productivity, emotional and physical exhaustion, lack of concentration, negativity and a decline in health are all signs of exhaustion at work. But now is the time to finish strong! 

Here are a few ideas to incorporate into the final days and weeks of your routine:

1. Go to bed

Taking care of your basic health, which includes getting enough sleep every night, will help you maintain consistently high energy levels.

2. Prioritize your lists

Make a shorter list of the things that you absolutely must wrap up by the end of the month and make these items your top priority.

3. Delegate if your load gets too heavy

Knowing when to delegate tasks to other staff members is one of the most valuable leadership skills you can learn. Coming together as a team not only gets the job done, it solidifies your department relationships.

4. Avoid meeting overload

Don’t schedule unnecessary meetings between now and the end of the year. Instead, set aside time to tackle your immediate workload. 

5. Take some time to declutter

If your workspace is cluttered with 11 months’ worth of “stuff,” it is time to clean it up! The process of organizing your professional life can be cathartic and can help improve your mental clarity.” 

– Shellie Speer-Burnett, Senior Vice President, BDI Academy

Assess Your Leadership Style and Character

“If you’re leading a team at your nonprofit, it’s valuable to take time as you approach year-end to assess your leadership style and character, and identify any areas or goals for growth in the year ahead.

Here are 6 principles I reflect on at the end of a year to ensure my character and leadership goals are aligned. These are from one of my favorite leadership books, Integrity, by Dr. Henry Cloud.

Ask yourself, do you have…

1. The ability to connect authentically (which leads to trust).

2. The ability to be oriented toward the truth (which leads to finding and operating in reality).

3. The ability to work in a way that gets results and finishes well (which leads to reaching goals, profits or fulfilling your mission).

4. The ability to embrace, engage and deal with the negative (which leads to increase).

5. The ability to be oriented toward growth (which leads to increase).

6. The ability to be transcendent (which leads to understanding the big picture and oneself).”

– Nicole Ige-Hutto, Senior Director Digital Strategy

Combat Burnout

“Burnout results from ongoing stress at work, which can spill over into your personal life – this is not what you want or need during the holidays! 

A few tips to combat burnout: 

1. Eat healthy, balanced meals to replenish your energy.

2. Release the emotions from your body by writing them down and processing them. Journaling is great to clear the mind! 

3. Concentrate on tasks that are within your control (because we know not everything is).

4. Set boundaries for yourself to protect your own free time (example: don’t check your email at night!).
5. Remember, your energy is important to nurture so you can be more generous with those around you.”

– Chelsea Campbell, People and Culture Lead, Employee Experience

In other industries, the end of year may be a time to kick your feet up and coast through the holidays… Not for BDI, and not for our nonprofit client partners! It’s a season where we double down on reaching for and achieving our goals. 

But even in the midst of the hard work we’re doing together, we hope these ideas inspire you with ways you can balance productivity with presence… and experience peace and contentment amidst the many projects.

As always, our team is here to lighten your nonprofit’s load in any way we can!