Summer is nearly over and now is the perfect time to set yourself up for a great rest of the year. Whether it's finally taking some time off so you are refreshed or taking full advantage of the slower pace to get ready for the upcoming busy season, August is a great time to focus on what matters for you. Here are four tips to make sure you take advantage of this time.

Steward

Why not surprise your top five volunteers with a "thank you" note as simple as "As we head into the fall, I was thinking about how much time you generously donate to [charity]. Thank you for your hard work." Even better, do the same for your top five donors!

Our sector is notorious for not thanking people and what a nice surprise for your most important supporters.

Take at least one day off for yourself

In our sector, we often spend too much time working too long so give yourself permission to unplug for a day. There is something especially blissful about a day off in the middle of the week. Take at least one day to recharge your own batteries (this may mean doing the laundry to get caught up if you want).

Do one thing you hate for one day

Do you have an inbox so full you keep running into size limits? Take one day—just one day—and get that problem under control. In November, you will thank yourself for this.

Try one new thing

Brainstorm one experiment—one new thing—to try in your team/work area/organization. Whether it is A/B testing your eBlasts, a new format for your annual report, or something really off the charts, think of something new to pilot before the end of the year. We are in a time of massive change so if you don't get creative, you will fall behind. This is your chance to innovate.

Ann Rosenfield is the former Editor of Hilborn Charity eNews and a working fundraiser. She is really good at this list - except the part about managing her inbox. She is awful at that.

Cover photo by Sander Dalhuisen on Unsplash