Tuesday Thoughts | 3 September 2024 | Back-to-School Baby Steps

I used to LOVE school, not the actual studying part, but the act of learning new things, and of course the school supplies; this time of year always brings back memories of the art of going back to school.

As an adult, there is not much that is different today from the reality of last Friday, but that doesn’t mean that today doesn’t FEEL different. In much the same way that each New Year feels like the start of something, each September heralds the start of ‘the other new year’.

This summer felt shorter than most, it might be my bias, but I think it is because it was often so hot – or monsoon raining, or both – that I didn’t really make much progress on my outdoor to-do list; five weeks ago as I sat staring at the calendar about to roll over to August, I knew I had to do something to take control of the situation.

You only get so many Summers they say. So I set a challenge for myself – in the spirit of the #TuesdayThoughts small actions, big impact ethos – to undertake 500 small actions for August. Because a) its summer, and b) I’ve been trying to give myself a bit of a break lately (it was the dying days of summer after all), I built in some flexibility, success was in simply trying.

Which is convenient since I managed to complete a whopping 137 Actions, 30 actions shy of even making it to 33%; if you’ve ever asked me how I do it all, be aware that sometimes I actually don’t.

If you interact with me frequently via zoom or teams, you’ll have seen one of the most visible changes, the majority of the 57 items I decluttered this month came from my work-from-home office; in fact as I’m writing this, there is even a completely empty cubby in the Kallex shelving unit that serves as the backdrop for my video calls.

This year, I also tried to focus on making a difference as I worked my way through my actions; I donated a bankers box worth of school supplies, including 5 unopened packs of binder paper to a friend who is a special ed teacher who can then help kids who otherwise might not be able to build the core memory of stocking up for back-to-school.

I did try to double down by joining the trend of clearing a teacher’s Amazon wish list, but couldn’t find a reputable list of classrooms in need in my area, so I simply donated half of the value of a gift card I received, to two organizations for which I am a board member.

Not included in my August total were the three books I finished reading, which put a small dent in my goal to read 25 books in 2024; I have a couple of long-haul flights coming up in October, which I am counting on to help keep me on track – I can’t be the only person who does some of their most solid reading on planes.

And, if you will permit me dear reader, a couple of humble brags.

A couple of weeks ago, my ‘little newsletter that could’ crossed the 900 Subscriber Mark, next week I will publish the 140th issue of this same newsletter, to say I have not become an overnight success, would be an understatement.

I also had the honour of being recognized by the Hall of Fame presented by Canadian Meetings + Events Expo (CMEE) , as a top three finalist in the Industry Volunteer category, a strong undercurrent of this newsletter’s ‘small actions, big impacts’ theme is how impactful you can be by giving of your time as a volunteer.

My efforts this August were not intended to ‘get it all done’ but instead to provide a more solid foundation to start the 'other new year' than if I had simply done nothing; there is always more to do. In fact one of the things I have been working on behind the scenes is a critical path to the launch of Volume 3 of The Tuesday Thoughts Companion: A Year of Small Actions for Big Impact; mark your calendars, the final book in the trilogy will be available on January 20, 2025.

If you are looking for a challenge to try, I’d recommend a much more approachable number, had I set my sights on 150 actions – just five actions per day – I would have come close to completing my challenge, and might have had greater success by simply doing five things every day.

I’m currently following along with The 30 Day Declutter Challenge from Clutterbug; not because I have a ton of stuff left to declutter, but I think it might be helpful to have prompts about what to focus on each day – prompts are helpful aren’t they?

I suspect some of you might be disappointed that today’s thought doesn’t quite have the same level of ‘get up and go’ as you might be used to from Tuesday Thoughts at an important turning point in the year; but part of what I hope to convey to you, is that sometimes you can make a small impact now, that compounds over time.

This week’s call to action is to choose something small to do each day of this ‘other new year’ that over time will compound into a bigger, better, life for yourself, and others.

New and Noteworthy is a collection of things readers of #TuesdayThoughts might find interesting, important, or informative;

??Other Stuff I Did This Week (shameless self promotion): Its ok to have a slow week, that's essentially what this entire issue of Tuesday Thoughts is about. Special thanks to my friends at Women's Nonprofit Network for featuring me in their Weekly Wins!

???Hold These Dates: Where to next? I'm looking for a handful of Speaking and Consulting Engagements through late 2024 and into 2025 to continue to make an impact. Details of my offerings are on my website daniellerussell.ca.

? What to Do: Attend the Nonprofit Friends Picnic hosted by Cindy Wagman and Rickesh Lakhani

?? What to Watch: A short intro to Selfcare Awareness Month (and a great offer) from Angie Bailey - Calming Calligraphy | Rethinking Happiness in a conversation between Trevor Noah and Adam Grant

????♀?Cool Jobs (Paid and Volunteer): Senior Manager, National Corporate Partnerships @ True Patriot Love Foundation | Event Planner @ Managing Matters h/t Sandy Biback | Executive Director @ Food4Kids | Director of Communications @ Landscape Ontario h/t Joe Salemi, CAE

?? Take Note: Nonprofit Scam Alert from Erica Bryson, CFRE | Congratulations Hailey Rodgers on being named as a finalist for the 2024 Rogers Canada Women Empowerment Awards in the Rising Star Category

CALL FOR CONTENT: I crowd source 99% of what appears in New and Noteworthy, but I would love the help of the Tuesday Thoughts Community to identify content about you and for you. Got a cool new project? A Job Posting to Fill? Or just something you found interesting? DM me with a link.

I am a Certified Association Executive with over a dozen years of experience in leadership positions across Canada’s Not-for-Profit Sector, with deep ties in the Meetings and Events Industry. I use the art of storytelling in speech and writing to explain ideas, and to inform audiences and readers on a variety of topics. Learn more about how we can collaborate;

?? Consulting Services: I offer a suite of consulting services for Associations and Charities, and am interested in working with likeminded organizations on projects that contribute to better governance, leadership and the overall growth and health of Canada’s Association and Not-for-Profit Industries.

??? Speaker/Facilitator: I have spoken to standing room only crowds in the Association and Events sectors, connecting ideas and people; topics include, The Introvert Experience, Imposter Syndrome and Mentorship, EDI: Lived Experience as a BIPOC Woman in Leadership, Minimalism and Essentialism, Finding Your Voice and Building Your Unique Brand, Making and Impact, and the #TuesdayThoughtsFormula. NEW: Speaker Onesheet (ratesheet available on request)

??? Contributing Writer: I have written for Industry Publications and Blogs with a focus on the role of Associations, Volunteerism, and the Intersection of Not-for-Profit Management and many current social and economic trends. My inclination towards storytelling lends itself well to the style of Creative Non-Fiction.

?? The Tuesday Thoughts Formula: I am on a mission to inspire actions that amplify my impact, each week I follow the #TuesdayThoughtsForumla to deliver a call to action inspired by relevant stories; new this year, I’m bringing live demonstrations of the formula to the stage to help conference, event and meeting attendees tell their own stories that amplify their ROI of in-person attendance.

?? Check out my website daniellerussell.ca or email me: [email protected]

?? I’m on a Mission to?Change The World, By Inspiring Actions That Amplify My Impact! Despite my Introverted tendencies, if I have any hope of success this cannot be a solo affair. Join my community where I Connect People and Ideas;

?? Tuesday Thoughts: Join the #TuesdayThoughts community, subscribe to the Newsletter and get your copy of the #TuesdayThoughtsBook, The Tuesday Thoughts Companion: A Year of Small Actions for Big Impact. Like, Comment and Share to keep the conversation going, and amplify the thoughts that inspire you to action.

?? Let’s Be Friends: LinkedIn: Danielle S. Russell, CAE (she/her) | Instagram: @danielle.s.russell