To-Do Lists

Making lists is a great way to keep yourself organized and less stressed. They help remind you what you need to do and when, and you can also even prioritize the things you need to get done.

-When making a list keep in mind the most important from the least important.
-Make separate lists for people you need to call, things you need to email, things you need to buy, and things you need to do.
-Another way to organize lists is by the day of the week so you know things are being completed in the best order.
-Checking off things when they get done is also important so you don't get confused.

Organization

A simple part of being a good leader is to practice good organization. It not only increases productivity but can help to minimize stress.

Some ways to stay organized are:

-Label everything! It's a lot easier to find things when they go missing, especially more important items or documents.
-Always put things away. Messes can be avoided when you do.
-Make a to-do list. This helps you to understand what needs to happen and when.
-Keep supplies up to date. When you don't have all of the things you need to complete tasks, it wastes time.
-Use a planner to keep track of important dates!

Stress Busters

Being a leader can get stressful! Here are some tips on how to manage it.

1. Remember to breathe! Remaining calm and relaxed is a much better way to deal with situations rather than being tense or anxiety-ridden.

2. Be healthy! When you eat right, exercise right, and sleep right your daily life seems much less stressful and healthier!

3. Don't forget to reward yourself. Whether it's taking a relaxing shower or watching your favorite show on television, there are endless small ways to give back to yourself after a hectic day.

Managing stress can be difficult, but it's better to learn to control it and not let it control you!

Having fun with some sisters!

Making Time for Yourself

Sometimes it's very easy to get so caught up in what you're doing, you forget to make time for the other things in your life. It's important not to neglect yourself because if you do, you'll likely get burnt out.

Performance in your role will probably be even better when you're able to exercise good time management including the time for yourself.

Ways that you can do this is to:

1. Delegate! Make sure you aren't the only one doing everything that needs to get done.

2. Let go! Others will learn through practice. Don't let them completely fail but remember that sometimes you're just a guide.

3. Make lists for people so they know exactly what you expect. Also make lists for yourself, with things that you would like to accomplish in the present and in the future.

Remember that being a leader shouldn't be the only thing you are. It should just make you a better version of yourself.

This is a photo taken before formal, which was definitely a fun night without responsibilities!

Time Management

One of the hardest parts of being a leader is having good time management. The stress from being so active and responsible for the well being of an organization is sometimes much greater than the people who are regular members realize.

In college, we're all here for school before anything else and it's hard to remember to put assignments above the organization that can become such a huge part of your life. Both classes and other organization members expect your all and it's up to you to put balance in that.

To do this, I recommend completely forgetting about the word structure. Things happen and it's ok to let them happen. We're only here once so if you feel like spending a night at an event run by your organization rather than working on a paper that's due in less than two days, go for it. There is no way you can plan everything.

Just always have in your head that everything will get done somehow. And guess what? It will.

It's hard to get everything done, but when you're determined, you're bound to be successful. Above all just do your best.

Attitudes

Everyone has emotions. Sometimes we let them get the best of ourselves, but as a leader you learn to control that part of yourself. You can't be the one to break down because you are the picture of strength and perseverance to the other people in your organization.

Attitude is another important aspect of a good leader. You must be encouraging without being easy, tough without being bossy, supportive without being overwhelming, helpful without taking to much on, and so on. 

It's hard to find a balance and to always be the backbone of others but it's also extremely rewarding when done right. At the end of a stressful day when you feel like everything is going wrong, there's nothing better than to have the respect and support of the members in your organization. Stay strong and positive!

It's important to be happy!

Advertising

Advertising and marketing your organization in a positive manner is very important because it gains positive attitudes towards it.

When you are trying to run things effectively without a good number of people to carry out all of the necessary jobs and tasks, it becomes very difficult and nearly impossible.

Membership is crucial to the health of a club or organization and advertising can help heal yours when it's hurting.

Here are some ways to advertise:

1. Online--create a website! Almost everyone goes online these days and uses sites to do a once over check on things. You could even create a blog. Social media pages like Facebook and Twitter are also extremely important to keep up to date and can let tons of people know about the same thing all at once.

2. Posters--hang them everywhere! Having a great logo or slogan that makes your organization more recognizable to all is really helpful. Have someone good at graphic design help you, but just remember sometimes the more simple rather than overwhelming ideas work just as well.

3. Hold an event! What better way to gain more advertising and membership than showing people what you're all about?

Here is a recent poster made by my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.