Hello SOTGC community,
Do you have the courage to make the big changes you want to see in your organization? Major changes often feel overwhelming, but today we’re going to discuss some small steps that can help you along the way. If you want more help than this blog provides, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
There will always be detractors . A lot of people spend time coming up with pointless and unhelpful theories about critics – how they mean you’re doing the right thing, all successful people have critics, the list goes on. Two things to keep in mind when dealing with critics: 1) Just because someone is criticizing you doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It doesn’t mean you’re making the right decision either. There aren’t any decisions that matter that are immune to all criticism and critique. 2) You can ignore unimportant critics or you can be distracted by them. We all have 24 hours in a day. Don’t waste yours barking at every shadow that passes by. Stay focused on your goals. Stay focused on your clients. Every hour you spend trying to appease, fight, or correct your critics is an hour you will never get back. Stay on track.
Be kind . You may be making necessary changes in order for your organization or company to grow, compete, and thrive, and this might make some people in your organization nervous. Don’t forget to be kind, and maintain the human element in your business, be it with clients, donors, volunteers, staff, or anyone else. Kindness is not automatically a liability, and it takes courage to put it into practice. But think about it – if someone is kind, you’re a lot more open to his or her decisions and suggestions than if they are unkind. This goes for dealing with critics too.
Be as prepared as is realistic. Preparation is one of the easiest ways to increase your confidence right off the bat. Practice, practice, practice! This is going to look different for each individual and dependent on where in the process you find yourself. For some, it will mean more formal education. For others, it will be finding mentors or a support system. Interning or volunteering can also help you gain perspective and learn about your industry. (It goes without saying that the Internet also contains a wealth of information on anything you choose to pursue, so long as you have the courage to stay away from distraction.)
Take notes . On a long journey it’s often difficult to see how far you’ve come. Keep track of your trials and triumphs along the way so you have the ability to go back and see the growth you’ve experienced. Some people journal, others write a quick email and send it to their personal address. You can keep a few notes in your phone (just be sure to back it up!). Even a single line per day journal will help you gain perspective on your progress.
Be intentional about your perspective . We don’t always have control over our circumstances, but we always have control of our perspective. In transition, change, or failure it takes courage to continue looking for the positives. Failure is almost never fatal so long as you have to courage to get up and try again. When things don’t go right, brush yourself off and keep going. Feel like you need help with this? Get in touch. My team and I would love to help you get back on the right track and achieve your dreams.
Are you ready to take your organization or business to the next level? Do you want to save time and deliver your passion more quickly with my help? I am happy to announce it’s here! The Affiliate license program is ready, and it’s called Green Apples Impact Academy. This program will give you everything you need to take your business to a whole new level with one-on-one coaching, staff, and volunteer training, using social media to revolutionize your business, Captivating Corporate Sponsors, train-the-trainer, and so much more. To become a licensed affiliate or to learn more, give me a call at 909.758.1120. First time callers receive a 30-minute business consultation.
Green Apple programs will be available online in the coming weeks …stay tuned!
