Running a Nonprofit and Dodging Distractions

Some days, my to-do list feels like a battle plan. Between managing the clinic build-out, planning fundraising campaigns, and making sure we’re moving forward with our mission, I barely have time to take a breath. But somehow, the world always finds a way to throw in a few extra distractions.

Some days, my to-do list feels like a battle plan.

Take today, for example. I started the morning with high hopes—answering emails, finalizing details for our Valentine's Day matching campaign, and checking on the status of our septic system plans. Everything was moving along… until I got caught in the black hole of background noise.

Who’s intimidating witnesses?

I had a podcast playing while I worked, and suddenly, my brain short-circuited. "But the government argued there was evidence that Combs was trying to influence, maybe intimidate, witnesses, even from behind bars." Wait—what? Who’s intimidating witnesses? I had no idea what was going on, but apparently, I was now invested. The podcast host didn’t miss a beat, rolling straight into an ad: "Hey, so I want to quickly thank Upside for sponsoring this episode of Sidebars."

At this point, I had two choices:

The A HOPE Spay & Neuter Clinic on Pine Blossom Rd in Milton, Florida

At this point, I had two choices:

1. Keep listening to the legal drama unfold.

2. Refocus on why I actually pressed play—to have some background noise while I worked.

And that reality was that the septic system isn’t going to fund itself

Admittedly, it took a few more minutes (and a quick Google search) before I snapped back to reality. And that reality was that the septic system isn’t going to fund itself, our clinic needs to open, and I have way too much to do to be getting sidetracked by true crime sidebars.

it’s all part of the mission

So, with a deep breath, I hit pause. Back to work. Emails, campaign updates, checking in on our Hope’s Heroes donors—it’s all part of the mission. And unlike certain podcast characters, I don’t need a legal defense team, just a few more hours in the day.