What destination have you selected? What direction are you currently headed? Sometimes, we must head opposite our destination, but we are still on course. During the New Year’s resolution phase of the calendar, it can feel that we have planned poorly; however, do not confuse destination and direction. If the journey is a priority, we deploy our wayfinding skills to keep moving, even when the best route suggests we revisit paths already traveled.
Have you had a moment when you were ‘way out there?’ So far out that the edge is visible. You occupy the liminal space of your known world. What did you feel, experience, see? Our most defining work takes place ‘way out there.’ Perhaps we should commit to the next expedition to that quadrant.
Somebody already accomplished their 2024 goal! Somebody already failed to achieve their 2024 goal.
If we take an infinite mindset, still being in the game is the goal. We may have the most, least, or occupy the busy middle, but we are still playing the game, and that is the work that matters.
Is the New Year a chance to celebrate what just took place or an opportunity to revel in plans for the future? What is your mindset on the New Year?
When I see a well-stocked wood pile, it makes a statement. Somebody decided there was a future need, and their future journey required additional resources. They cut, split, stacked, and secured sufficient reserves to assist their planned itinerary. I am optimistic about their future.
When I see an under-resourced group, I wonder what decisions were made? Was it a lack of knowledge, a sense of assurance that rescue is certain if needed, a lack of planning, or circumstances?
I feel that end-of-the-year philanthropy is a mixed effort to add fuel to the journey. Some resources may be used as a buffer for challenging times, some may be burned immediately to keep the doors open, and some accumulate without a plan.
What if we prioritized our contributions to those causes that asked directly or those that we have invested in with our time, talent, and touch? What if we did not always show up out of habit and tradition with a cord of firewood each winter? Would it change relationships and the course of the social sector?
How do you respond to the end-of-year appeals? How do you evaluate the level of need for these causes?
When the next section of the trail is obscure, it makes the journey remarkable. The wind, misting rain, racing clouds, and mud add depth and dimension. It makes the days with a highly visible trail more memorable.
Is it easier to give a boost to an individual who has fallen behind or hold up the team’s progress to regroup? Context matters. A cross-country running team that is scored based on the top five individual scores is better off seeking a personal best for each individual and hoping their fight and sixth and members push each other, driven by competition and the thought of not letting the rest of the team down. A cycling team can place its weakest performing member in the ideal location to benefit from the drafting effect. The team may still need to ease off the power when the drafting impact is less.
As year-end giving virtual appeals appear in our email inbox, I notice a trend. Some organizations are asking for a boost to catch up with the need that is ever-expanding. Others are requesting assistance to provide services that keep the group together. Some causes are boost-focused, while others focus on not allowing a gap to form.
What mindset is most compelling to your work?
To be of service, we must embrace the role of a trusted intermediary. We position ourselves to optimize the journey for those who travel a segment of the route we specialize in navigating. When done authentically and with generosity, the shared journey is remarkable. When our intentions are transactional, the journey goes off track or leads to a dead end. None of us like to experience inferior services for the benefit of those presenting themselves as competent guides.
How might we consistently remain curious and develop a culture of improvement so we do not stagnate and calibrate to the lowest common denominator?
When you have a generative idea, who do you call? Who is the person/people who will engage in sense-making? What has worked in the past? What would you change?
Who has been a remarkable force for good in supporting your wayfinding journey? What if you communicated your appreciation during the holiday season? Unscripted moments of gratitude are often the most impactful.
What-if-concepts 