Making a Difference with Goal-setting

The power of goals cannot be overstated. In my 20s, a friend suggested that I write a life goal on a slip of paper, tuck it into my wallet, then check it occasionally. “It’ll come true almost by magic,” he said. I wrote, “I want to have $3M in the bank.” Sadly, that slip of paper didn’t survive the year. Who takes these things seriously in their 20s?

That memory stands in stark contrast to the goals I set in 2018 with the help of an executive coach—goals that continue to guide and fulfill me as I look toward retirement.

Just as goal setting can make huge differences in our lives, it can change an organization. It requires focus, practicality, intention, and patience. This month, we’ll explore how effective goal-setting can strengthen associations and foster patient, forward-looking leadership.

I found Embracing Agility: Lessons from the Fruit Fly both humorous and practical. The author, Dr. Chris Vaughan, does a great job of connecting a fruit fly’s life to associations’ need to be focused, agile, and attentive. She makes a strong case for change in nonprofit operations.

Resource development is increasingly important for many nonprofit organizations. We have to revisit our assumptions in today’s shifting cultural and political landscape. This article by Bob Happy, Setting and Executing Nonprofit Fundraising Goals: A Guide, lays out a clear and effective process for building a fundraising base.

A well-crafted strategic plan can make a dramatic impact on a nonprofit organization. In Crafting a Resilient Strategic Plan in Uncertain Times, Dr. Chris Vaughan details the important elements of a plan and explains an effective process arc. This indirectly highlights the importance of preparing and completing a comprehensive planning process.

How has goal setting made a difference for you and your organization? Drop me a note and let me know.

This article was written with the help of ChatGPT.