If you’re spending any time on the internet this time of year, you’ll likely come across a large number of social media posts or blog articles encouraging you to look back on the previous year and reflect on the “highs and lows” of 2023.
I’ve even written a few of these myself.
This, however, is a different sort of reflection exercise. Instead of looking back on 2023, let’s spend some time looking back on 2024.
“Wait a second…2024 hasn’t happened yet.”
I realize that. Bear with me, friend…I promise this exercise will be fruitful.
Visualize for a moment that it’s December of 2024. A full twelve months from now. As you place yourself in that moment and imagine your nonprofit a year from now, ask yourself these questions:
- What do I want my nonprofit to accomplish by the end of 2024?
- What do our team dynamics look like at this point next year?
- Are there any significant projects we’ve completed?
- What aspects of our nonprofit are working better than they did in 2023?
I encourage you to spend some time really pondering these questions. Essentially, they will help you identify your “end goals” for the upcoming year. That will sharpen your focus and reduce veering off track to follow “the next big thing.”.
Why is this important?
You can’t create a roadmap if you don’t know where you are going. Without a clear “destination” in mind, we risk taking a series of random and disconnected twists and turns, winding up lost, and wasting valuable time and resources.
Okay, step two of this reflective exercise: LOOKING AHEAD. Once you’ve taken the time to clearly articulate your 2024 “end goals” — ask yourself:
“What steps must our team make today to achieve what we want by the end of the year?”
As a nonprofit leader, this is a helpful exercise for you to complete on your own, but I also highly encourage you to bring this practice into your team meetings. In most cases, the collective mind is even more potent than the individual. The perspectives gleaned as you reflect and plan together as a group are truly invaluable.
Looking for some extra support in bringing your 2024 nonprofit goals to fruition?
The SandBoxx team is here to help! Click HERE to receive information that can help you increase your impact this year!
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
