I have a problem.

My family and friends have held multiple interventions over the years but still I’m stuck in my ways.

I crochet too much.

It all started when I was ten. My grandmother is one of the most talented crocheters in the world, and after my mom and aunts refused to learn how to crochet, my grandma set her sights on me. And I’ll admit I was only too happy to learn.

It started small enough. A scarf here, a lap blanket there. But as I grew, so did my projects. I started making huge blankets like my grandma did. There was only one problem. It turns out I get distracted very easily. One second, I’m making a mosaic blanket, the next I’ve switched to a rustic throw. Right now, as I write this blog, I have two different blankets and a scarf all in progress. And, as you can guess, none of them are even close to being finished.

I always start each project with the best of intentions. I tell myself that this one isn’t going to end up in my ever-growing pile of abandoned, uncompleted projects. And yet it always ends the same. I start to get bored, I find a new shiny thing, and I forget about my last project. You just can’t do three projects at the same time well. Something always gives.

Many United Ways suffer from the same struggle as me. They are trying to do too much at once.

One could argue that education, income, and health are all important and need to be done. And I would argue that both my queen-sized comforter and my comfy winter throw are important and need to be done. That doesn’t change the fact that they aren’t getting done efficiently.

Trying to do too much is just as bad as doing nothing. Because every time you add a new task, you get bogged down a little further. Your time gets stretched a little thinner. And when you only have a couple of hours for each task, they never get done.

It is time for United Ways to decide what is worth their time and get rid of what doesn’t make the cut. It’s time for an issue focus.

With an issue focus, you are able to focus your energy on making measurable impact on a single issue. Progress towards ending a local issue such as poverty or children not entering kindergarten ready to learn will be clear to your donors and community. You will be able to diversify your revenue, convene the community around your issue, and become relevant again.

I haven’t full figured out my project mayhem but I’m starting. I’ve decided to leave that scarf I was working on in the dust. That was the easy decision though. I still have to wrestle with the question of which blanket I truly want done first. And United Ways need to wrestle with what issue they want done first too.

If you would like more information about an issue focus, you can watch our free webinar here or you can contact us here.