“Stressed spelled backwards is desserts.”

That catchy little upsale slogan was on a dessert menu at a restaurant I visited over the weekend.  I instantly identified with it as this is by far the busiest time of the year for most of the staff here at United Way of the Greater Triangle.  When the economy tightens, nonprofits are forced to do far more with far less to meet the community needs.  This means nonprofit staffers often take on two, three, or more roles within their organization to keep the services running, the support in place, and the clients getting what they need.

Telling a nonprofit worker how to avoid stress is sort of like trying to teach your refrigerator how to play basketball – its an impossible task.  We’re all stressed, almost all of the time.  The unrealistic deadlines, the underfunded programs, the lack of staff, the constant fundraising, and the burning desire to change the world (or at least the Triangle) can be a breakdown or burnout waiting to happen. Continue reading →