3 ways association professionals can stress less this holiday season

The holiday season can be stressful. But as an association professional, there are ways you can de-stress and make your workload lighter.

The holidays are often packed with activity. Wrapping up this year. Planning for next year. Fitting in shopping and other holiday hustle and bustle.

But you don’t have to stress out. As an association professional, there are some highly effective things you can do to make your life easier. Let’s look at three ways to take some of the pressure off this holiday season.

Three ways association professionals can stress less this holiday season

1. Lighten the load on your association staff.

One thing that can cause stress in your life is looking ahead to a pile of work waiting for you and your colleagues when you return from the holidays. So, think about how you can lighten the load on you and the rest of your association staff for next year by making changes that simplify and streamline your work. For example:

• Automate manual processes – Manual processes can be time-consuming and time-wasting. By automating some of your association’s processes, you can free up valuable staff time. For example, automate standard email communications, such as membership dues receipts and event registration confirmations. Another example: Offer an option for members to automatically renew membership to save you and your members time and hassle.
• Make it easier to keep your website updated – Keeping your website fresh is critical to making a good impression and staying relevant with potential members and current members. Make it easier to keep your website updated and modern by implementing a user-friendly drag-and-drop website editor that doesn’t require you to have technical skills.
• Consolidate your technology – If you’re using multiple systems and spreadsheets to manage your association’s data and processes, then it’s time to consolidate. Make a plan to move to an all-in-one association management software (AMS) solution so your staff can manage all aspects of membership management more efficiently through one convenient system.

2. Put your online community to work.

Your association’s online community can be a powerhouse for efficiency. You just need to put it to work to lift some of the burden off you and your staff.

For example, use your online community to make member support easier. You can add a frequently asked questions page so that members can find answers and reduce staff time spent answering common questions. You can also set up discussion groups in your community, such as a new member group, and ask involved members to help answer any questions that might be posted by new members.

You can also use your online community to help your board work more efficiently, which can help take work off your plate as well. For example, set up a discussion group where board members can easily connect with each other and share updates and documents. You can also encourage your board to watch what association members are discussing in the online community so they’re more familiar with member needs.

3. Take care of yourself.

Finding ways to make your work life easier will go a long way toward de-compressing this time of year. But don’t forget one of the most important and effective de-stressers: taking care of yourself. Here are a few suggestions:

• Take time for exercise – It might seem tough to find time to exercise this time of year, but even a few minutes can make a big difference. Simply taking a short walk after lunch or work can do a world of good.
• Give your calendar a break – You might receive a lot of invitations this time of year. Just remember that you don’t have to say “yes” to everyone. Giving your calendar some breathing room will help to keep your stress level lower.
• Spend time with your favorite people – Take time to call or meet up with someone whose company you enjoy. Letting off some steam, having a few laughs, and even just talking about mundane things can help you to relax and recharge (and will probably help the other person, too!).