Starting the new year on the right foot

After a long year, you may be more than ready to shake off 2021 and see what 2022 holds for you and your nonprofit. But in order to truly move forward, it’s critical to reflect, renew your focus, and set intentions. Doing so will make it easier to approach the new year with clarity, optimism, and a flexible mindset, even if the future seems uncertain.?

Reflect

Before establishing goals for the future, take a step back to review what you achieved in 2021—both personally, and as an organization. This will help you to identify areas of opportunity based on evolving circumstances and lessons learned, but it will also serve as a reminder of how much you accomplished. Recognize the efforts of your team, thank them for their hard work, and find inspiration in how far you’ve come as you look to the road ahead.?

Renew

The past year was a turbulent one for many reasons. Take stock of what may have fallen by the wayside while you dealt with the rapid changes that 2021 threw at you. Whether it’s picking up valuable initiatives that had to be paused or powering through administrative tasks that have begun piling up, aim to renew your focus on what matters and minimize potential distractions before they get out of hand.?

Set intentions?

Establishing ambitious personal and professional goals for the coming year can be motivational—but at a time when many nonprofit professionals are burned out, these goals may become a source of unnecessary pressure. Instead, consider setting intentions around how you will act and lead this year, and review them often. By approaching each day intentionally, you’ll find yourself moving in the right direction, without stressing yourself out about how fast you’re getting there.

What intentions are you setting for 2022? Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MovingForward or sharing your thoughts in the comment section.

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