A Calling is NOT a Plan

Picture this: You're sitting in a meeting with church leaders, and you ask about their strategy. The response? "Oh, we're just going to trust and believe in God." Or my personal favorite, "Let me pray about it." Fast forward five years, and guess what? They're still praying about it!

Now, don't get me wrong. Faith is crucial, and feeling called to a mission is powerful. But here's the hard truth: a calling is not a plan.

The same goes for nonprofits. I can't tell you how many times I've seen passionate individuals start an organization with a brilliant idea but no concrete strategy. It's like building a beautiful car without an engine - it looks great, but it's not going anywhere.

In fact, according to the Foundation Group, the number one reason nonprofits fail is a lack of planning. It reminds me of Benjamin Franklin's timeless wisdom: "If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail."

This truth can be uncomfortable, but it's a wake-up call we all need to hear.

In my experience, whether you're at the helm of a church or a nonprofit, having a powerful vision is just the beginning. It's like the spark that ignites a fire - absolutely necessary, but not sufficient on its own. Without a strategic plan to fuel and direct that fire, it can quickly fizzle out or, worse, spread uncontrollably, causing unnecessary stress and frustration within our organizations.

I've learned that clarity is key. People are motivated to act when they have a clear understanding of both the destination and the path to get there. It's not enough to ask, "Where are we going?" or "What are we trying to accomplish?" We must also address the crucial question of "How are we going to get there?" Both elements are equally important for success.

There's a proverb that says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick," and I've seen this play out in organizations time and time again. We get people excited about a vision, we paint a vivid picture of the destination, but without a clear strategy to reach it, we risk never arriving. Or worse, we find ourselves constantly striving but never truly achieving.

This cycle is deeply unfulfilling. It leads to burnout, with people either leaving the organization or, perhaps even more damaging, staying but mentally checking out. They might still be physically present, but they've quit in their hearts and minds, leading to underperformance and a toxic organizational culture.

None of this would happen if we had a compelling plan to complement our desirable destination. A well-crafted strategy not only shows the path forward but also keeps people engaged and motivated along the journey. It transforms abstract hopes into concrete actions, turning our calling into real, measurable impact.

In my work, I've found that when we pair our passionate vision with a thoughtful, strategic plan, we create a powerful force for change. It's not just about having a dream; it's about charting a course to make that dream a reality. That's how we build organizations that don't just survive, but truly thrive and make a lasting difference in our communities.

All the Best,

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Are you ready to transform your vision into action? At Jay & Elle Firm, we specialize in helping organizations like yours craft clear, compelling strategies. Our Strategic Planning services could be the key to unlocking your full potential and maximizing your impact.

Why not take the first step? Reach out to us today for a no-obligation consultation. Together, we can explore how our expertise might align with your unique needs and goals. Let's turn your calling into a concrete plan for success.