I work in the nonprofit sector because I honestly couldn't do anything else. I tried, briefly, but without a bigger “why” behind my day to day, I struggled.
This hard work just got harder. Waves of challenges - a pandemic, wars, AI disruption, and the rise of populist governments - all hit us in the past five years. And I don’t think it will get any easier anytime soon.
I questioned my life choices. Had I spent 13 years in a sector that could not feed my family? And to add to the injury, was I emotionally incapable of working anywhere else? I spent a couple of months wondering whether I’d built my vocation on quick-sand.
As it turns out, the obstacle is the way.
I didn’t want to believe this at first, but lately, I've been hearing little whispers of encouragement. Unexpected people have shared stories about finding the door in what looked like a wall; during a funder visit, over a podcast recording, and while having a chance conversation with an acquaintance.
Here's my obstacle: Nonprofit work can be hard, thankless, and not financially rewarding.
Here's my way: The sector's constraints forced me to get creative. I couldn't wait for one perfect job, so I built a fractional consulting practice. I couldn't rely on traditional business development models, so I started asking different questions about where revenue growth could come from. I couldn't find the community I needed as I moved from country to country, so I created it through my podcast. The obstacles revealed what my path needed to be all along. And I love it.
It's true, there are no promises that next year will be easier. But we’ve done hard things before; in fact, we do them every day as nonprofit leaders. My friend, who is a dancer, told me:
"You've just got to move your feet a little bit faster."
I'm taking a deep breath this holiday season, and I invite you to do the same. Exhale slowly. Get ready. Listen to the beat, and recognize that you've always known this sound.
Be curious about your obstacles, and what they’re telling you about your path. Believe in your proven ability to meet the moment - and remember, you’re not dancing alone.
Soon we'll move our feet a little faster.
See you on the dance floor ☀️
