I don’t care who you are or how well you plan, every person, business, or organization will, from time to time, encounter challenges as they pursue their goals. That’s okay! To be expected, actually.
The true success of any organization depends more on how you respond to these bumps in the road than the presence of the obstacles themselves.
So what should we do about challenges or obstacles on the journey to our success?
First things first…ACKNOWLEDGE they exist.
It may sound basic — but far too often, we are unaware of the roadblocks that may be keeping us or our organizations from reaching our full potential.
In the nonprofit sector, this is a HUGE deal. After all, the decreased impact often translates to real people. Real needs that are not being met as effectively as they could be.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Your community and those you serve need you to not only have the passion and heart for your work (I’m confident you’ve already got that part covered) — but they need you to be strategic in accomplishing that work.
This means acknowledging and addressing the obstacles to your nonprofit’s success.
Not sure where to begin? Here are a few common roadblocks that regularly hinder nonprofits:
- Lack of visibility.
You are doing good work. Important work. But frankly, does your community know that you exist? Do they fully understand the services you provide and how you are equipped to meet the needs of your intended population? Are potential donors or community volunteers aware of your work and opportunities for involvement and investment?
Having and maintaining a clear marketing strategy that makes visible the important work and results of your organization is critical for long-term nonprofit success.
- Scarcity mentality.
“I don’t have enough _______.” Time. Personnel. Funding. You name it!
Many nonprofit leaders feel as though they lack the resources required to truly get the job done. When you have adopted a scarcity mindset, it’s incredibly difficult to be effective because, at some level (whether conscious or subconscious), you’ve internalized the belief that you cannot be successful.
Here’s my challenge to you…
Consider the possibility that you already have more resources at your disposal than you realize. You may not be using them effectively.
- Disorganization.
Many nonprofits exist in a near-constant state of disorganized chaos. They may have team members, but role descriptions are confusing and inconsistent. They may have marketing assets (photos, videos, etc.), but they can’t be found when needed.
When disorganization is your norm, wasted time is the only natural outcome. Time wasted is like water under the bridge: it’s gone.
Spend some time with this list. Include your team and board members in the conversation. Remember, the purpose of identifying your obstacles is not to fixate on failures but to plan for greater success.
If you’d like some help unpacking your nonprofit’s roadblocks to success and/or strategically planning ways to overcome those hurdles, the SandBoxx team is here to help!
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
