Gratitude and Reflection

And we’re back…I hope your Thanksgiving holiday was filled with all the friends, family, and food your heart desired and your soul required.

Real talk: centering yourself in gratitude is tough. It’s a practice—a process that requires consciously redirecting both your internal and external narratives. Let’s face it, for many of us, our organization isn’t where we want or to need it to be. There’s always more to do, more to serve, more to achieve.

But here’s the truth: we perform at a higher level when we pause to acknowledge how far we’ve come, what we’ve achieved personally and professionally, and how fortunate we are to be here, doing this work.

If I were perfect at this, I’d start every day with a gratitude list. Spoiler: I don’t. But last week, I built a simple process to help me — I picked one thing I was grateful for each day and used it to name my Strava activities. It turned into a daily reminder: things are good, we’re good, let’s do this.

As the year winds down, it’s natural to look ahead. But before we turn the page, let’s reflect on the story we’ve written this year—and share it with the people who made it possible. Communicating the impact your organization has delivered—whether to your board, your team, your donors, or the broader community—is one of the most powerful ways to finish strong and set the tone for a bright 2025.

Why Reflecting on Impact Matters

The end of the year offers a chance to pause and take stock of what we’ve achieved. Beyond the metrics and milestones, it’s about celebrating the moments of transformation—both big and small—that your organization made possible. This reflection strengthens our connection to purpose and reminds all stakeholders why we do what we do.

Taking the time to articulate this impact and communicate it thoughtfully is more than a feel-good exercise; it’s strategic. By aligning everyone around your shared successes, you not only reinforce commitment but also build a foundation of trust and transparency that propels you into the next chapter.

Strengthen Your Vision

For you as a leader, this exercise is an invaluable opportunity to clarify the narrative of your organization’s work. Sharing your perspective on the year helps stakeholders understand the “why” behind your decisions and how their contributions supported your strategy.

Highlight key victories, acknowledge challenges, and cast a vision for what’s next. A clear and compelling year-in-review positions you as a thoughtful, forward-looking leader and invites others to continue on the journey with you.

Celebrate and Motivate

Your team has been chopping wood, advancing your mission day in and day out. A year-in-review is a chance to honor their efforts and remind them how their work connects to the bigger picture.

Showcase individual or team accomplishments, whether it’s a major project, a successful campaign, or simply embodying your organizational values. This not only fosters pride but also galvanizes your team for what’s next. When people feel appreciated, they bring renewed energy and commitment to their work.

Build Trust and Engagement

Whether it’s your board, donors, or the community at large, stakeholders want to see the difference their investment of time, resources, and trust has made. Communicating impact solidifies their connection to your mission and reinforces their role as partners in your success.

Make it personal. Share stories, data, and testimonials that illustrate how their contributions have translated into real-world outcomes. Authentic, transparent communication strengthens relationships and sets the stage for ongoing support.

Position Your Organization for Success

Ending the year with a thoughtful review doesn’t just tie a bow on the past 12 months—it sets you up for the future. By articulating where you’ve been and where you’re going, you create continuity in your narrative and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned as you begin the next chapter.

This process can also be a tool for identifying gaps and opportunities. What worked well this year? What could you improve? By reflecting now, you can lay a solid foundation for your planning process and ensure that your goals for the coming year are grounded in both ambition and reality.