Less than four days separate us from the most highly anticipated celebratory period on the calendar – the Holiday Season. In years past, our household absolutely cherished the time spent and the memories we created with our friends and loved ones. Despite the chaos and stress we willingly endured, the euphoric smiles on our children’s faces as they opened their gifts, the warmth of our family’s company and the amplified sense of togetherness that envelops us make it all worthwhile.
Yuletide occasions are comparatively sedate these days. Our adult children have families of their own and our aging parents lack the mobility or stamina needed for sustained celebrations. When the few of us do gather during the Holidays, it feels as though we are doing it as a habit. The excitement and merriment we experienced as young children and later as parents is now apathy and indifference. We congregate primarily because we view it as nothing more than an annoying social obligation.
Depressing but true, our family no longer celebrates with any sense of purpose. When I was a child, my parents, aunts and uncles all strived to ensure we understood the importance of the spirit of Christmas. We were continually reminded how many kids around the world did not enjoy the same opportunities we did. Be thankful for all we have and do everything we can to enhance the quality of life for others at this time of year is what we were taught.
Use the Noel as a chance to repay society for our blessings. Do not simply view it as an occasion to eat, drink and be merry. Avoid being overly self-congratulatory or “spiking the ball” too early for any acts of goodness that you recently performed. Such behaviour can frequently allow complacency to take root which can severely diminish your sense of purpose.
As we celebrate with our loved ones, harness the abundant festive energy and pervasive spirit of giving to create a list of ways we can make the world a better place for everyone. Whether it’s volunteering at your nearest food bank, becoming a Big Sister or Brother, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, or joining the board of a health charity, pinpoint the calls-to-action that will kickstart your quest to advance the well-being of others.
Not to confuse this action with making a New Year’s resolution, defining your life’s purpose involves setting and pursuing goals that positively impact the lives of yourself, your friends and family, and the community-at-large. Purpose is the fuel our mind, body and spirit require to lead an optimal existence as contributing members of society. It is the reason we wake up every morning to take on the day.
Celebrating the Holidays with purpose should be welcomed as our opportunity to renew or recalibrate our life’s purpose and identify the call-to-action that will springboard us towards its fulfilment. It enables us to chart a clear unobstructed path towards becoming a better person who makes positive life choices that enrich the lives of everyone in their circle. It allows to lay the groundwork for our legacy.
Charity leaders are also prone to indifference and creeping apathy during triumphant occasions such as the end of successful funding campaigns or organizational anniversaries. Board members and executive directors commonly are overly fixated on their agency’s past accomplishments to the point where they neglect its future direction.
Nobody is suggesting that these leaders should not revel in the moment and take pride in their charity’s achievement. However, allowing short-term success go to their heads can cause them to lose their focus on the long-term objective of achieving their mission. As a fundraising consultant, I have witnessed more than one organization stagnate when over-confidence overcomes their board, staff and volunteers. Tragically, some lost sight of why they were established in the first place and eventually had no choice but to close their doors.
To prevent apathy from emerging, non-profits must approach celebrations as opportunities to re-energize their quest towards attaining their mission. “Party with a purpose” is how one seminar facilitator described how organizations should observe special occasions to me years ago. By all means we should high five one another for our latest victory and other remarkable accomplishments. But we must also absorb the euphoric and jubilant energy that pervades the atmosphere. Use it to sharpen our focus and boost our charity’s resolve.
When a grant proposal is approved, a capital campaign target is reached, a major gift prospect says “yes”, a service level is surpassed, or a new partnership is formed, it is vital to realize that our work is not done – it is just beginning. Take advantage of the momentum to chart a course and prepare to take a large step towards the next milestone of your organization’s journey.
Savour the wins but always keep our eyes on the road to the horizon. You are closer to realizing your mission than you were one year ago, and you should aspire to shorten the gap further by this time next year. As great as you may feel when that big donation or grant arrives, visualize the tremendous impact they will have on your community’s vitality after your organization has invested them.
The recent outcome that you are celebrating was made possible by the commitment, focus and sweat equity of your charity’s leaders, volunteers and stakeholders. Celebrating it should galvanize your team to strive towards the next milestone that will make your community healthier, safer and more vibrant. Devise and gleefully take your next steps whether it is raising more money, recruiting more volunteers, training staff, forging new partnerships, expanding core programs or creative new services. Imagine the heightening levels of gratification and excitement that await you at each milestone that you will pass along your journey.
Regardless of how you observe the Holiday Season, and no matter the type of organization with which are involved, be sure to celebrate with a purpose. It will make next year’s festivities all the more special.
Stay well,
Mike
