A vast body of research shows that most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by the end of January. Your actions during the first 30 days of the year will set you up for success or put you in the 80% of people who give up on their goals far too soon. To help you stick with your personal and professional development goals in the year ahead, do one (or more) of these four things this month.
1. Sign up for a class.
A study from LinkedIn Learning shows that while 94% of employees believe making time for learning has career benefits, nearly half say they don’t have time to prioritize it during the day. Make 2023 the year you make time for what’s important to you. The Nonprofit Leadership Center offers a variety of professional development classes for nonprofit professionals that can enhance your skills and strengthen your results in as few as three to four hours. From fundraising strategies and emotional intelligence to diversity, equity and inclusion and management, classes span every area of expertise and experience level. Register for a class this month, even if it is one being held later in the year, so you don’t lose sight of your learning and development goals.
2. Commit to getting a professional certification.
We get it. Time is a precious commodity when you’re working at a nonprofit and wearing many hats. But what if you could increase your productivity and impact? By obtaining a certification through one of the Nonprofit Leadership Center’s many strategic areas, you can take your leadership to the next level. From a Certificate in Grant Writing or Board Governance to Nonprofit Financial Management or Leadership, there is something for every leader and every experience level.
EXPLORE ALL CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
See the upcoming certificate class schedule here.
3. Make time for yourself.
In survey after survey, nonprofit leaders tell us that self-care is a top priority and desperately needed focus area, yet leaders are quick to let this need fall down the priority list. Commit to making this the year your self-care becomes less about talk and more about action. Sign up for one of our self-care classes that forces you to carve out a few hours for yourself and your mental health to be a better leader for those you manage and serve.
4. Invest in your team.
Growth and impact aren’t just personal; they start with your entire team and organization. In addition to your personal learning goals, make a commitment to help your team strengthen their capacity and confidence. Sign them up for a professional development class, or explore a custom training event personalized for your team or nonprofit. Most employees (92%) say the right kind of formal workplace engagement positively affects their job engagement and leads to stronger job retention.