Where are we going?

Have you ever been on a trip with zero itinerary or even an outline, but no details or plans or destination? Probably not. If you have, that’s good on you. I am not one of those people who fill the tank and head west (or north). However, I’m not sure any truly successful organizations or businesses could operate very long without planning of some sort.

So why do organizations or businesses continue to float along without any strategic planning? Or maybe they were headed in the right direction, at some point, but something changed. Life happens, right? New leadership, drop (or growth) in revenues, new board members and other external or internal forces that take you off course. Insert the “recalculating” voice from your old GPS.

It was Lewis Carrol’s Cheshire Cat in “Alice in Wonderland” who first alluded to this concept of knowing where you are going before you can get there. The actual phrase, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there” was used by George Harrison in his 2002 song, “Any Road.” Will 2026 be the year when your nonprofit/association, even your personal life determine where you’re headed? Once you figure that out, we can make a plan to get there.

I’ve been blessed to glean some nonprofit knowledge and training during my lifetime from some stellar people and organizations. My resolution for 2026 – share that with as many nonprofits as I am able.

As for me personally, I’ll continue to get healthier, finish the book I’m writing, complete several songs I’ve dabbled with for a while, grab my camera and fly rod more often. Say yes to more adventures, say no to things that suck my time and patience, and help as many people and organizations as possible.

My wish for you and your organization is to chart a course toward success, by ensuring where it is you are headed. Otherwise you might end up some place else – Sjm