As 2022 passes the midway mark, Philanthropy Missouri invites you to join our team in taking time to reflect on our collective work toward progress (not perfection).
We launched 2022 with a focus on having a Growth Mindset, uplifting the challenge to embrace learning and to center the process of becoming as we endeavor to shift systems in Missouri. William Wordsworth observed that "habit rules the unreflecting herd." He knew - as we do - that we are unlikely to break out of historic patterns without intentionally pausing to interrogate what has happened, what we want to continue, and where we should course correct. Often this reflection is strengthened by the giving and receiving of candid feedback - asking others to hold up a mirror to our actions and help us understand their impact.
The PhilMO team is starting our mid-year reflection after attending an inspiring annual conference with the United Philanthropy Forum in mid-July and are continuing as we commence planning for 2023. If you'd like to make space for your own mid-year reflection exercise, here are a few guiding questions:
- How are you making space to reflect and course correct during your year?
- Who provides you with candid feedback? What do you do with that feedback?
- What were your priorities this year? How are you progressing towards them?
- What is the most valuable thing you have learned so far this year?
- What work are you eager to continue? To discontinue?
- Finally, if a philanthropist is one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare, how are you promoting your personal human welfare? How are you taking care to sustain yourself for our journey through 2022?
The Philanthropy Missouri team continues to wish you a year of good health and meaningful impact. And now is an excellent time to pause and reflect on how that is going for you both personally and professionally.