“Do you want to come out and play?” I have childhood memories of knocking on my neighbour’s door and issuing that invitation. Today I am more likely to be texting a friend to set up a “play date.” But play remains an important part of my life.

When I begin a new coaching engagement, I ask clients to rank their satisfaction in eight areas of their lives using a tool called the “Wheel of Life.” One of these categories is “fun and recreation.” As nonprofit professionals, we often focus on other areas of the wheel such as career, family, money or personal growth. And sometimes play gets lost. 

So I was excited to get some insights by reading Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of The National Institute for Play. Also reading is one of my favourite activities.  [Read more…]

Imagine walking into your workplace and…

• You are greeted with genuine warmth and interest
• You notice you are asked what you think rather than told what to do
• You are given space to create and design, to express, reflect, and consider your thoughts
• You set goals – personally and as an organization
• You experience subtle and not-so-subtle forms of recognition and celebration of your successes – big and small
• Your mistakes are framed as opportunities for further learning and are encouraged as part of “the process”

This is every day. Welcome to our coaching-based organization, Future Possibilities for Kids (FPK). [Read more…]

Feeling out of control is a nasty feeling. When we are out of control, we are often reacting to what’s going on:

• The tears are ready to come, and it is NOT the time to cry.
• A sarcastic comment slips out, and we didn’t mean it to.
• We bite someone’s head off…and then regret it.
• Our voice quivers, telling the world how nervous we are.
• That cuss word just tumbled out, when it shouldn’t have!

 All of these are examples of losing control. We feel powerless to hold onto our feelings and behaviours.

We simply react. [Read more…]

For many non-profit professionals, the end of the year can feel like a whirlwind. There is often a big push to secure those year-end gifts, which then creates a demand to process all of those gifts before December 31^st.  Frequently there are year-end board meetings, which create significant amounts of extra work for staff. Fundraising staff is busy organizing with volunteers to call donors or write personal, hand-written notes to thank them for their support. And then there is the endless parade of holiday parties and lunches. Who’s got time to even think!

Since it is often a busy time of year – both professionally and personally – you might suddenly find yourself facing the New Year and wondering where the time has gone. And, you may be asking yourself: “how did I get here?” [Read more…]