Tristan Blythe: Managing priorities is ever harder in difficult times

01 Feb 2023 Voices

By fizkes / Adobe

There are always lots of competing priorities in life. Sometimes it is all too easy to become distracted by something important but maybe not crucial. Indeed, sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference in the heat of the moment.

Making the right decisions becomes even more important in difficult economic times, such as we currently find ourselves in. With costs increasing and energy bills set to rise in a few months as government support reduces it can be tempting to try to reduce expenditure and to focus on keeping the everyday tasks going.

Two of the topics which we examine in this issue are easy to overlook but need to remain high on your priority list.

Firstly, there is our cover theme of net zero. The climate crisis is something that effects all of humanity and it can sometimes seem that compared to the size of the problem, our efforts are small and unlikely to make a difference.

While the scale of the problem is certainly daunting, I believe that charities can and will play an important part in reaching the goal of net zero. The road ahead will be tricky to navigate but every step taken on it is a positive one.

Whether you have started progressing to net zero or are wondering where to start, this issue has some useful tips and experiences from others in the sector that hopefully will inspire and aid you with your net zero plans.

Secondly, we have our annual feature on IT and digital issues. As is argued elsewhere in this issue, attempting to cut costs by slashing IT budgets can be a false saving. Strong IT and digital services can bring benefits to your organisation and help you to serve your beneficiaries more effectively.

Both of these topics are areas where the sector can gain from working together and sharing ideas and best practice. Of course, these aren’t the only areas that this can be said about – and working together on a range of areas is a real strength of the sector.

On a personal level, the priorities may be different but it is also important to take time to work out what really matters. As just one individual, it can seem even more daunting to try and make a change on the major issues facing society. But again, every step is a step in the right direction and individuals can amplify this impact by coming together in groups and communities. After all, isn’t that what charities are all about? 

Tristan Blythe is editor of Charity Finance

Charity Finance is packed with practical articles and analysis of the latest financial trends, as well as in-depth briefings on technical and legal changes, and benchmarking surveys to help busy finance teams get value for money. Find more information here and subscribe today!

 

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