Stand

It has been a while since my last post... obviously. Not that I needed to mention that for anyone to figure it out, but still, a long while. I could go into this laboriously long story as to WHY I haven't written, but let's just suffice it to say that life changes, sometimes a little and sometimes a lot and lately, it has been a lot. Most of the time, I can handle changes with style and grace (at least on the outside), but I don't know that I had much grace left at the end of the day, and so I just went into hibernation. But the weather is glorious and so the sunshine beckons me out again and again and again.

So what is the point of this ramble? Sometimes it is ok to stop what you are doing, examine everything and then figure out the best plan moving forward to reach the spot where, ultimately, you would like to wake up, everyday. This is true for individuals, groups, teams, and organizations.

If something isn't working and you just keep faltering, stop - take a breath or fifty - and get your feet underneath you before you try to run up that hill. Otherwise, you are just going to roll down time and again, and for those of you who have extreme motion sickness like me, rolling down a hill is about the most miserable experience out there.

If you're having a hard time raising funds, stop and think about why that is, and PLEASE, for the LOVE, stop blaming the economy. Yes, the economy isn't the greatest, yes, people are giving to fewer organizations, but the are STILL GIVING! If they aren't giving to you, then my recommendation is that you take a look inside and figure out why that is. Are you in your lead donors' or potential donors' top three priorities? If so why? If not, why not? Have you asked them?

If you can't "get your board to do anything," have you taken a look inside to figure out why that is? Did you set clear and understood expectations? Did they set expectations of you? Did they ever see a job description and agree to those expectations BEFORE they came on the board or did one of your board members on the nominating committee just pick up the phone and call a buddy?

If you are personally struggling in your job, have you asked yourself why? Is it the right job for you? Do you have a mentor you can count on? Are YOU being an effective mentor? Have you read The Leadership Challenge? Do you act like you've read it?

I'm anything but perfect. I have my flaws and freely admit them. Some I can change and some I just have to accept and acknowledge and embrace. No organization is ever going to be perfect - no matter how much so they appear. Those, however, who look inside for improvement are the ones who have a much better chance of shorter hibernation periods and higher success rates.

Here is a song (Rascal Flatts) that, to me, we should all take a read through from time to time:

"Stand"

You feel like a candle in a hurricane

Just like a picture with a broken frame

Alone and helpless

Like you've lost your fight

But you'll be alright, you'll be alright

[Chorus:]

Cause when push comes to shove

You taste what you're made of

You might bend, till you break

Cause its all you can take

On your knees you look up

Decide you've had enough

You get mad you get strong

Wipe your hands shake it off

Then you Stand, Then you stand

Life's like a novel

With the end ripped out

The edge of a canyon

With only one way down

Take what you're given before its gone

Start holding on, keep holding on

Cause when push comes to shove

You taste what you're made of

You might bend till you break

Cause it's all you can take

On your knees you look up

Decide you've had enough

You get mad, you get strong

Wipe your hands, shake it off

Then you stand, then you stand

Everytime you get up

And get back in the race

One more small piece of you

Starts to fall into place

Oh

[Repeat Chorus]