Trust the Process
I'm not one for New Year’s resolutions.
For the better part of a decade, I've clung to the words of Anaïs Nin:
“I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.”
For me, change comes with steady, persistent effort rather than radical declarations.
But an annual theme to motivate and empower me through all 365 days?
Sign. me. up.
A few months ago, I had a particular problem causing me much grief and consternation. A grad school bud reminded me of something one of our exasperated professors used to say when anxiety was high in our program:
TRUST THE PROCESS
Trusting the process is about patience.
It's about flexibility.
It's about resilience.
It's about letting go.
It's about leaning in.
It's about self-reliance.
It's about finding purpose.
It's about right here, right now.
It's about delayed gratification.
Trust the process. It's something I'll be repeating to myself–and my clients–all through the year.
So, what does trusting the process look like as you lead and manage your nonprofit? Well, it just might look like:
Embracing the uncertainty of the future and making strategic decisions based on what you know to be true right now. Lead with calm rather than fear.
Avoiding comfortable quick fixes in favor of longer-term investments of time and resources with greater return.
Being disciplined enough to stay the course on your strategic plan when things go awry–and they will go awry!–while remaining flexible enough to adjust when the barriers really are insurmountable.
Searching high-and-low for the very best folks in your community to serve on your board. Folks who've got passion, not just pulses. Folks who'll partner and collaborate with you to bring your organization to the next level.
Building your community of supporters and engaging with them over time. Are you going viral over night? No. Are you getting thousands of followers this year? Also no. But if you keep showing up for them with stories, gratitude, and calls to action, they will show up for you, as volunteers, donors, and advocates.