Do the Work

I’m a fan of colour field painting; paintings with large fields of colour that are less about gesture and meaning and more about process. [No, you aren’t reading the wrong blog.] As an aspiring colour field painter, I want to learn everything about this style of art. So, a few years ago, a fellow fan of abstract expressionism* suggested we try to figure out what types of contemporary colour field paintings were successful. We wanted to learn more with the hopes of improving our own work.  

To our surprise, the answer was simple. It wasn’t some great technique or colour of paint. It wasn’t the size of the canvas or the name of the gallery. The painters that were getting the shows were the ones that did the work. Yeah, sure, there were some that we liked better, but that was just personal preference. Success, it seemed, came down to one thing: getting the work done. 

This was on my mind today because I had a day where I had to work for volume, not quality. We’ve all had those days. It isn’t so much that you are skipping over doing your best work, but it is more the reality of the amount of work that needs to get done and there isn’t time for picky-picky perfection. That’s my whole week this week. 

I need to be away from the office on Friday and the list of work I need to complete before I leave is a little long. So, I’ve planned out what needs to get done and divided it up over the four days.  

Decisions like this are never really easy. Guilt kicks in and you feel like you are somehow doing a disservice to your employer. Don’t listen to those negative thoughts. That’s just your grade one teacher telling you to go slowly and practice your printing.  

That’s just your grade one teacher telling you to go slowly and practice your printing.  

Well, we’re long past elementary school and the real world sometimes needs you to pick up the pace. I know I’ve got a good head on my shoulders; I know how to think things through, and I remind myself that I wouldn’t have gotten this job if my work was sub-par.  

I CAN produce quality work on a time budget. What’s the alternative? I’m not willing to put in 15-hour days. I have a life outside the office, and my mental health is important. The solution: just get it done. 

Just get it done. 

Yes, of course we all love those quiet lazy days when you can spend hours crafting the perfect document. But non-profits are notoriously busy places; understaffed and stretched thin. Sometimes the best way to do good work is to just get it done. So, be brave. Kick the guilt to the curb. Get the work done, and take Friday off! 

Thanks for reading!

-Christie

*Prefer paintings that [ehm] look like something? That’s OK; we’ll just agree to disagree. 

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Hi, I'm Christie Saas, former board member, current Executive Director, and non-profit volunteer. I remember well, those early years when I lacked the training, the confidence, and the work-life balance to focus on becoming the best non-profit leader I could be.

Fast-forward past many bumps in the road, lessons learned, and you’ll find me still in the trenches, but a little wiser, a little calmer, and a whole lot happier. I love my work and I want to help you love yours too.

I created ChristieSaas.com to give you tools, tips, and templates to remove the mystery of learning to run a small non-profit. If you’re a brand-new non-profit leader, or a little more seasoned, someone who’s looking to make a meaningful contribution and still have time for a full life away from the job, you’re in the right place.

© Christie Saas 2019 All Rights Reserved

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