Goals

In an organization I was involved in I had to get and organize volunteers.  I would watch them.  Not for performance once I knew they were the right person for the job, but for their attitude.
It mattered big time to me that volunteers did not burn out.  So many have a great attitude and want to do all they can to help.  But everyone has a limit.  There inevitably comes a time when moving on seems attractive.  This is especially the case for those over committed.
It is so easy in my enthusiasm to volunteer for heaps.  I went to something run by the council recently and it was eye opening to see what is happening.  Volunteers are in decline, but workloads are increasing.  It seems more than ever there are regulations to comply to.  More is being done by less.
That to me is a recipe for disaster.  I have seen so often people start in a blaze of glory only to burn out and throw it all in.  For me, that means often the last state of the organization is worse than the start.
What I find bad as well is that too often people volunteer without really knowing what they are volunteering for.  Often there is more work involved than was realized.  It has always been important to me that if someone volunteered, they knew what they were volunteering for.
I find that sometimes less is better.  I am a write it down person.  I remember doing lists.  Drawing columns and keeping a record of how I was going.  Things I wanted to do and things I wanted to avoid.  The thing is, it never lasted.  Enthusiasm was not enough.
Things changed though.  I realized that a little is better than nothing.  I really feel for those who set unrealistic goals.   To me they are often setting themselves up for a fall.  The motive is not questioned, but the way of achieving the aspiration is.
What I have done is instead of aiming for five tens is to start by aiming for one.  If I go for five from the start, I am likely to fail and abandon them all.  One I can do.  Besides achieving something achievable is a good feeling.  I like to reward myself.
Like so much it is a building up to process.  I see it too often in volunteers.  They volunteer for everything and end up doing nothing.  A bit is helpful.  Nothing is not helpful.  It is better to have a lot doing a little than a little doing a lot.
People often cite not being able to get volunteers.  I have trouble relating to that.  Announcements do not work but personal invitations do.  Most people want to help.  They are just waiting to be asked personally.  Better still when people just step up.
But something starting well does not mean it will end well. I have found that, and I have seen too many volunteers including myself, crash and burn.  I want to be in it for the long hall rather than to be a one hit wonder.