At some point in their term, most fraternity/sorority leaders eventually become overwhelmed. Too many projects. Too many commitments. Too little time. No clear next step. And formerly grand visions that seem much more daunting now that it’s time to do the work. The single most important thing you can do in this moment is plan. Dedicate a significant block of time, and sit down to think through every little detail that needs to happen. David Allen would suggest that once you get everything out of your head and down on paper, your stress level immediately drops.
Give yourself at least one good, full day to do this. Use our Project Planning Resource to guide you in spelling out your vision, purpose, goals, resource needs, action steps, and timeline. Don’t forget to ask two critical questions: What am I forgetting? What could go wrong? When you’re done thinking through all the details, it’s time to get to work!
We spend time teaching this process during each officer training workshop, and chapter/council leaders consistently rate it as one of the most valuable lessons they learn. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do, yet it’s the most frequently overlooked step in leading an organization. Whether you’re planning an event, passing a new bylaw, or instituting a culture change, think through the details, get yourself organized, and set your mind at ease.