--- title: "Time Management for Fundraisers: How to Focus on What Really Matters" description: Struggling to juggle meetings, donor calls, and grant reports? Learn how fundraisers can focus on revenue-generating activities, schedule... image: https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_313728234.jpg --- [![AmPhil Logo](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/AmPhilizedTrendBiz/images/amphil-logo.png)](https://amphil.com) - [Services](https://amphil.com/services) - [Strategic Planning](https://amphil.com/services/strategic-development-planning/) - [Major Gifts](https://amphil.com/services/majorgifts-accelerator/) - [Direct Mail](https://amphil.com/services/direct-response/) - [Digital Fundraising](https://amphil.com/services/direct-response/) - [Capital Campaigns](https://amphil.com/services/capital-campaigns/) - [Data & Tech Support](https://amphil.com/services/data-technology/) - [Creative Studio](https://amphil.com/services/creative-studio/) - [Talent & Recruiting](https://amphil.com/services/talent-solutions/) - [Donor Advisory](https://amphil.com/services/donoradvisory-services/) - [Planned Giving](https://amphil.com/services/planned-giving/) - [Sectors](https://amphil.com/sectors) - [Faith](https://amphil.com/sectors/faith/) - [Education](https://amphil.com/sectors/education/) - [Policy & Advocacy](https://amphil.com/sectors/policy-advocacy-ideas/) - [Human Services](https://amphil.com/sectors/health-and-human-services/) - [Arts & Culture](https://amphil.com/sectors/arts-culture/) - [Careers](https://amphil.com/careers) - [Events](https://amphil.com/events) - [Master Class](https://centerforcivilsociety.org/master-classes/) - [Conference](https://conference.centerforcivilsociety.com/2024) - [Scotch Talks](https://amphil.com/events/category/scotch-talks/) - [About](https://amphil.com/about-us/) - [About Us](https://amphil.com/about-us/) - [Leadership](https://amphil.com/leadership/) - [Philosophy](https://amphil.com/our-philosophy/) - [Blog](https://info.amphil.com/blog) - [Contact](https://amphil.com/contact-us/) - [Subscribe](https://amphil.com/subscribe/) - [Contact Us](https://amphil.com/contact-us/) Fundraising ## Time Management for Fundraisers: How to Focus on What Really Matters ![Nonprofit fundraiser managing his time and checking his watch while writing a donor letter.](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_313728234.jpg) You probably know this feeling as a fundraiser. It’s Tuesday morning. You’ve got meeting notes to type up and follow-up letters to send. You’re approving copy, calling donors to schedule upcoming meetings, reviewing internal memos, and updating the budget. You’re finalizing a grant report. You’re sending two new foundation memos. And that’s just the work stuff. Add in sports practice, Bible study, family dinner, and date night… you’re juggling so many different demands, and they’re not even all related to fundraising. No wonder it feels overwhelming! If you’re going to be successful as a fundraiser, you need to practice excellent time management. And the very first step is to focus on revenue-generating activities. Here are two practical tips to help you do that. ## 1. Schedule Your Big Rocks First You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating: schedule your big rocks first. For fundraisers, those “big rocks” are revenue-generating activities. When you plan your calendar, put them in first. If you start with the small, less important things, you’re not going to have space for the big rock. But if you start with the big rock, you can fit the small things around it later. If you want a visual example of this principle, Stephen Covey’s classic [“big rocks” illustration](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHR4RpxD6m0) is worth watching. ## 2. Eat the Frog You’ve probably heard the phrase: eat the frog first. That means tackling the task you really don’t wanna do and oftentimes, it’s one of your big rocks. Do that thing first in your day. Get it out of the way. If you eat the frog first, you’re gonna make sure you actually do it instead of putting it off and derailing the rest of your day. Even better, you avoid framing your whole day with a sense of dread for that one thing you’ve been avoiding. For a deeper dive, check out Brian Tracy’s classic book*[Eat That Frog!](https://www.briantracy.com/blog/time-management/the-truth-about-frogs/?srsltid=AfmBOopaM8eL2xOL4e98AGxKBAY51RGjCfQKFAdqvomnzDcKaIrc3h-l)*. ## The Bottom Line for Fundraisers Fundraising will always come with competing demands. But if you can: 1) Schedule your big rocks first, and 2) Eat the frog early in your day, you’ll stay focused on what matters most: building the relationships and securing the gifts that fuel your mission. ## Want More on Fundraising and Time Management? At AmPhil, we know how difficult it is for [development professionals](https://amphil.com/services/) to manage the competing demands on their time while staying focused on major gifts. That’s why we host programs and events like the [Major Gifts Fundraising Seminar](https://centerforcivilsociety.org/events/), where you’ll learn how to prioritize the activities that make the biggest difference for your nonprofit. For more practical resources, check out our articles on [fundraising strategy](https://info.amphil.com/blog/major-gift-fundraising-an-insiders-guide-to-major-donor-strategy-launching-engaging-and-improving) and [listening to your donors](https://info.amphil.com/blog/responsive-fundraising-strategies-for-listening-to-your-donors).   [![ipad and iphone displaying Amphil's ](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/mockup-of-an-iphone-and-ipad-mini-in-frontal-view-portrait-position-over-a-png-background-a11897%20(2).png)](https://info.amphil.com/majorgifts-ebook) [Download the guide](https://info.amphil.com/majorgifts-ebook) ###### Tags: [Fundraising](https://info.amphil.com/blog/tag/fundraising) [Major Gifts](https://info.amphil.com/blog/tag/major-gifts) [Fundraising Strategies](https://info.amphil.com/blog/tag/fundraising-strategies) [Time Management](https://info.amphil.com/blog/tag/time-management) ### Previous / Next Post [![Woman sitting on the ground in cozy socks, writing in a notebook during the holiday season](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_418722944.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-write-a-successful-year-end-appeal) [How to Write a Year-End Fundraising Appeal That Inspires Donors](https://info.amphil.com/blog/how-to-write-a-successful-year-end-appeal) [![Nonprofit leader discussing year-end fundraising strategy with fundraiser at a table.](https://info.amphil.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_467982351.jpg)](https://info.amphil.com/blog/year-end-fundraising-tips-every-nonprofit-leader-should-know) [Year-End Fundraising Tips Every Nonprofit Leader Should Know](https://info.amphil.com/blog/year-end-fundraising-tips-every-nonprofit-leader-should-know) ### Interested in our services? 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