What is the hardest part of any job working for a social service non-profit organization?
The list is long and varied. And the list always involves issues like not enough funds, never enough time, too many fires that need putting out, and the frustration of dealing with all the minutiae and tiny details of every day.
But consider this… Dealing with all those details and minutiae are not always that hard. In fact, working on the little things can be comforting in their own way. They might even be considered… easy. Putting out small fires in a non-profit agency is standard but it can distract you from your goals.
If you are the executive director of a social services organization or head up your department, you need to consider what is the most difficult thing you have to do every week, every month, every quarter, and every year.
Whatever is the most difficult aspect of a non-profit career – raising money, overseeing the agency mission, creating and managing the budget – is what most people will avoid actually working on. Because it’s hard to do! If you are the fundraiser for the operation, stopping to help your IT person figure out why the network is down is a reprieve from actually finding donors and bringing in the money…
Focus on what is the hardest and you will do the most good. Focus on what is difficult and you will be rewarded. Do what you’re best at, what you probably hired for, and you will succeed. By not micromanaging case managers or by hiring a talented individual to handle that IT problem, your agency will hit its goals and perhaps go from being re-active to pro-active.
It doesn’t mean that there won’t be emergencies or that you won’t be pulled away from the “Big Picture” – it happens in every organization – but it is important to figure out what is the hardest part of your job. Once you know what is hardest, what you have the MOST talent for, and then you focus on it… you will be fulfilled.
Actually determining what is the most difficult is not an easy thing to do either. Or, it’s easy but you might not want to admit what it is. Because then you have to do it.
If your job were easy… someone else would probably be doing it.
About Vertex Systems, Inc.
Vertex Systems is a leading provider of software and support solutions for social service nonprofits that serve people with disabilities. Vertex Systems software helps human service agencies be more efficient and effective, provide quality information for better decision-making, and stay compliant with regulators and accrediting bodies. For 30 years, Vertex Systems has offered field-proven solutions that provide accurate electronic documentation solutions to help streamline the processes at over 450 agencies.
We offer case management, attendance, financial management, manufacturing management, service billing, and client payroll management software systems. Vertex Systems also provides an enterprise solution that connects all the modules together to improve teamwork, increase accuracy, and reduce steps to save time and save money for agencies that serve those with disabilities.
Visit Vertex Systems software for more information about our state-of-the-art solutions for agencies that serve persons with disabilities and barriers to employment.
