Category: Uncategorized

Colorful desk with open laptop, sticky notes, notebook, and pencils symbolizing productivity and organization
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

How to Get More Done in a Day

Or: How to Stop Being Busy and Start Being Effective I Didn’t Invent These Ideas. I Just Paid Attention. Let’s get one thing straight: I didn’t come up with any of this. What you’re about to read wasn’t born in a brainstorming session, packaged as a productivity course, or whispered by a guru in Bali. I learned these habits by listening to people who’ve actually mastered getting things done — and filtering out the noise. This is not a beautifully structured literary piece. It’s a somewhat disorganized brain dump of what works for me — the systems, rules, and random truths I’ve picked up from experience (and from people much smarter than I am). Treat it like a buffet: take what works, leave what doesn’t, and don’t expect a perfect narrative arc. What matters is whether you walk away with something useful — not whether it wins a writing award. Ideas from: Ben Franklin, who literally scheduled every hour of his day Dan Kennedy, who built an empire on time discipline and ruthless ROI thinking Tony Robbins, who reframed productivity as energy and clarity Zig Ziglar, who made motivation actionable And going even further back, the stoic clarity of Seneca, Epictetus, and Socrates The world has changed. Human nature hasn’t. What worked then, works now. How Do I Get So Much Done in a Day? I hear this more than you’d think. Sometimes I ask myself the same thing. But then, I know plenty folks who get far more done in a day than I do. I need to track them down and learn from them. And no, the answer isn’t a magic formula, morning smoothie, or color-coded calendar. The truth is far less glamorous: I’ve built systems that work, and I follow them religiously. How I Structure My Days for Maximum Output I plan ahead I block out time every Sunday night to plan the week When you know what’s coming, you don’t waste time reacting I get up early “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Ben Franklin said it. He was right. I control email — it doesn’t control me I check email three times a day, not 100 Every email is: Replied to Deleted Or filed as a to-do item If it takes three minutes or less, I do it immediately My inbox rarely holds more than 5 to 15 emails I don’t answer every call Just because the phone rings doesn’t mean I need to answer it. I respond intentionally, not impulsively. I empower my staff They’re smart. They’re capable. I don’t micromanage. I don’t invite distractions. I avoid distractions that wear productivity costumes I’m not hanging out at Starbucks three times a day I don’t take random “catch-up” calls I don’t attend meetings that could’ve been an email And I definitely don’t use social media as if it were a full-time job; in fact, real social media is hard work and a full-time job I limit social media I’m not on LinkedIn, Facebook, or GIFT-PL all day I don’t chase engagement You can’t deposit likes into your checking account—I’m in the business of results, not applause I eat for energy Light lunch Lighter dinner A bloated stomach is the enemy of a productive afternoon I delay gratification Happy hour? Sure — after 8 PM, not at 4:45 Unless I’m with a client or spending time with my wife on our deck My Biggest Productivity Hack: ROI-Driven To-Do Lists Every decision, every task, runs through a simple filter: What’s the return on investment? I manage my time through an evolving three-tiered list: 1. Down the Road Ideas. Future plans. Things worth keeping, but not acting on yet. 2. Proactive and Important Where progress happens. Revenue. Strategy. Deep work. This is where I aim to spend most of my time. 3. Urgent Things that seem critical but usually aren’t. I actively work to minimize this category through better planning and delegation. And when I need clarity? I take what I call a thought break. No phone. No noise. Just me, a notepad, and the outdoors — usually at a local park on Tampa Bay. Still the best place to solve problems. The Real Secret? It’s not about counting hours. It’s about making the hours count. As Jim Rohn said, “Don’t major in minor things.” And as Dan Kennedy wrote, “Motion is not progress.” Final Thought There’s nothing trendy about what I do. But it works. Because those who’ve come before — from ancient philosophers to modern masters — understood one truth: The key to a meaningful life is doing fewer things… better. So next time you wonder how I get so much done? Don’t look at my schedule. Look at my systems, my filters, and how I say no — a lot. And ask yourself: Are you being productive… or just busy? Quick Summary: How I Actually Get Things Done Be ruthlessly intentional with how you spend your time. Here’s what I do (and don’t do): I follow Ben Franklin’s advice: early to bed, early to rise I plan my week on Sunday, not Monday morning in a panic I answer my cell discriminately — not everything is urgent I empower my staff so they don’t have to call, email, or Slack me for every minor detail I check email three times a day, not every five minutes like it’s oxygen Every email is either replied to, deleted, or filed as a to-do. My inbox is usually under 5 emails, never more than 30 If a task takes 3 minutes or less, I do it immediately I delete endless joke chains, “funny” emails, and social fluff (unless I am in a social mood or doing cardio on my Lifecycle) I do not tweet, Facebook, or post on GIFT-PL or LinkedIn like it’s my job — because it isn’t; social media is actually a full-time job I’m not at Starbucks three times a day pretending to work. I like

Read More »
Financial-Advisor-Clients-Donors
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

Estate Plans: What Are Advisors Telling Your Donors?

Now that the SECURE Act is law, donors are (or should be!) reviewing their estate plans, retirement strategies and philanthropic strategies to see if they should make changes. But what advice are they getting from their financial advisors — and how could it affect your charity? Here’s how to be prepared for the new reality.

Read More »
planned gift program
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

Too Much Donor Information

Has something like this ever happened to you? You’re at a development conference, sitting at a table with a stranger. You introduce yourself … and the person takes your friendliness as an invitation to go all in. Next thing you know, they’re telling you about a recent operation (including all the gory details) and finish it off by yanking up their shirt for a grand reveal of a very large incision scar. The same thing can happen when a nonprofit tries to track down donor information – you don’t need to know every little thing! Here’s how to find the sweet spot!

Read More »
death by overwork
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

Death by Overwork

We’ve all known someone who collected stuff in his garage. Always parked his car outside because he had no space. Eventually, he built a second garage for his car. Of course, over time he filled the second garage with more “junk,” too. Work can be like that– you can fill your days with so much busywork that you need to add another hour, then another hour… and so on and so on, until your days are gone!

Read More »
Planned Giving Marketing
Viken Mikaelian

Powerful Legacy Society Names. Five Proven Tips.

So, What’s In a Name? Plenty — especially when it comes to naming your legacy society. Choose the wrong name, and you’ll struggle to attract (let alone keep) members. Choose the right name, and your membership will grow and thrive.

Read More »
People Need People
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

People Need People – That’s How We Make a Difference!

“I wonder how many churches and charitable organizations realize that community is one of the greatest gifts they have to offer … and these things are so valuable that people are willing to make their resources available to sustain them. Fundraising must always aim to create new, lasting relationships.” That’s how we make a difference!

Read More »
How to Write and Design an Effective Planned Giving Ad
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

How to Write and Design Effective Planned Giving Ads

Any fundraiser can raise more and larger gifts by using our proven marketing tools, because they get the point across to your donors without stress or hassle. Use this article to learn how to write effective planned giving ads for your non-profit!

Read More »
Leave CGA Rate News for Wall Street
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

Leave the News on CGA Rates for Wall Street

If you’re advertising that annuity rates are about to go down, you’re essentially shouting “Come and get it before it’s too late!” That makes you sound like you’re Kmart, running a Blue Light Special. Leave the CGA rates (charitable gift annuity rates) to wall street!

Read More »
What Does the Future Hold? A Bold Prediction.
Uncategorized
Viken Mikaelian

What Does the Fundraising Future Hold? A Bold Prediction.

As we settle into another month of staying indoors, a lot of people and so-called experts are making a lot of speculations about what’s next — for public health, for the economy, for our society as a whole. Here’s what we think the fundraising future holds…

Read More »