If you are new to the Passionate Giving blog, back in late December I wrote a series on New Year’s Resolutions.  One of the resolutions was to make sure that in 2012 you are working from a strategic plan.
Well…how’s it going?
We are now nearing the end of the 1^st Quarter of 2012.  It’s a good time to review what you have accomplished, see how are you doing compared with your plan and consider what adjustments you may need to make with your strategies to meet your goals.
Come on, open that plan up again.  Now, I’m assuming you are also checking your revenue goals on a monthly basis compared to your cash-flowed goals.  This is important not only for you to check your own progress, but for those who are managing you as well.
Whether we like it or not, it keeps us accountable.
So as the first quarter of 2012 closes, it’s good to take a deeper dive into your plan and check the following:

1. How does your overall revenue to date look vs. forecast?
2. What is your Individual revenue by donor vs. goal?
3. How many significant touches, i.e., phone calls, face to face visits?
4. What is the quantity of your proposals presented to donors?
5. How many YMAD (you made a difference) touchpoints compared to your plan?
6. Any significant changes to the composition of your caseload? (deaths, job losses, lottery winners)
7. Do you have the tools to do your job well?
8. Are you filling your heart up with the emotions and feelings for your cause?
9. Do you need administrative support?
10. How’s your mental and emotional health?  Are you stressed?  Do you have balance?

These are all important things to check and review at the end of this first quarter. You can get so caught up in the momentum of work and life that you don’t often take stock of where you are and where you want to be.
The advantage of doing this now is that you still have three quarters of the year ahead of you.  That’s plenty of time to make adjustments and achieve your revenue goals.
If you’re down in revenue, you can change your plan.  If you’re up in revenue…well, now it’s time to really go for it and try to surpass those goals.
And, if you’re able, it would be good to check in with your colleagues and see how you are performing against their goals – not out of competition, but to get a barometer of the market and overall donor performance.
Richard and I really believe in creating a good plan and then stopping from time to time to reflect on that plan.  In fact, we’re taking some time right now to take stock and adjust.  It’s just a good thing to do.
Here’s a suggestion.  In the next couple of weeks, carve out one day away from your desk, take your strategic plan with you and go through an honest evaluation of where you are.  Check all those things I mentioned above.  Take some industry reading with you …like all those Passionate Giving blogs you’ve been meaning to catch up on!J  Journal about how you’re feeling about your work.
Then, write down those things you need to change and recommit to doing them.  After all that, put your feet up, enjoy your favorite beverage and relax.
Welcome to the Second Quarter!!
Jeff