Life can be messy and nonprofit life is no exception. As 2023 nears the rearview mirror, now is as good a time as any to take a moment, reflect, and talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend. To bask in the glory of your awesomeness and raise a glass to your accomplishments.
Don’t get me wrong here. I’m not a fan of toxic positivity or forced celebration.
I AM a believer in the power of reflection and taking time to celebrate achievements of all sizes throughout the year and especially at the end of the year when we have a full 12 months to look back on. [And yes, sometimes our greatest achievement is getting ourselves dressed and not going postal on our annoying co-worker. This counts, too. 😉]
So, as you reflect on your past year, what are you most proud of– for yourself and for your organization? What was the secret sauce that brought that to life and how can you replicate that moving forward?
And if you need some inspiration to get started, take this advice from one of my savvy executive director friends: “I love making a list of the awesome things we pulled off. It’s like a highlight reel for my sanity.” Another visionary leader turned the celebration into a team affair, saying, “I gathered our board and staff for a storytelling bonanza. Turns out, we all had different favorite moments. It was like a nonprofit Oscars night!”
Whatever way you go about this exercise doesn’t matter. What is most important is that you just do it (channel your inner Nike).
And if you’re looking to add a fun twist, follow my lead: nap, wine, and repeat. Trust me– this does wonders!
Wishing you a well-deserved break and a glass of wine (or two) to toast to the fantastic journey that was this year.
Hat tip to your success,
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