What Type Of Person Thrives In The Nonprofit Industry, According To A Co-Founder And CEO At Improve Your Tomorrow
To thrive in the nonprofit sector, according to Michael, a co-founder and CEO at Improve Your Tomorrow, a person must be "highly determined" with a clear purpose beyond financial gain, and possess the flexibility to adapt to changing situations. Furthermore, success in this industry hinges on maintaining "endurance and wellness" by prioritizing physical, spiritual, and mental health, treating mind and body like a marathon runner ready for the highs and lows of tackling persistent social problems.
Determination, Adaptability, Endurance, Wellness, Purpose-Driven
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Michael Lynch
Co-Founder and CEO
Improve Your Tomorrow
Cal Poly Humboldt
Sacramento State - Masters of Public Policy and Administration
Business Management & Admin
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Business Strategy
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Determination and a Clear 'Why': Successful individuals in this field are driven by a strong sense of purpose beyond financial gain, which is crucial for navigating the challenges of nonprofit work.
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to adjust to changing circumstances is essential in this industry, as the landscape of social problems and solutions is constantly evolving.
3. Endurance and Wellness: Maintaining physical, spiritual, and mental health is vital to avoid burnout, as tackling social issues requires a long-term commitment and the ability to withstand setbacks.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
These folks are highly determined; they have a clear "why" for the work they do. It can't be motivated by money or power, as that's not what comes with working in nonprofits.
You need to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. I also say that this work, and nonprofit work in general, requires a good amount of endurance and wellness.
It's easy to get burnt out when trying to tackle a social problem. You have to be able to balance your life, still do things you enjoy, and take care of your physical, spiritual, and mental health.
Every day, you're trying to solve a problem that government has fallen short of. So, you need endurance. You have to treat your body and mind like an endurance runner, not a sprinter. Sprinters train differently than marathon runners.
In nonprofit work, you have to train like a marathon runner because there will be high points and low points. You must endure beyond those challenges and train your body and mind to overcome them.
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