Change is nothing new for nonprofits. Community needs shift, funding priorities evolve, and policy landscapes are always in motion. But what’s happening right now is not just “the usual” level of change—it’s unpredictable, volatile, and deeply unsettling.

The start of a new year is a chance to reflect, refocus, and realign. For mission-driven organizations, January is the perfect moment to ask: How do we ensure the work we’re doing today builds a foundation for lasting impact?

Let’s be honest: somewhere along the way, we got it wrong. We started equating exhaustion with effort, thinking that burnout was proof we cared enough. We filled our schedules, emptied our tanks, and convinced ourselves that rest is indulgent or, worse, lazy.

What if strategic planning wasn’t just about growth and resilience? What if it could create the permission structure for organizations to, dare we say… disappear?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on what our work would look like if we rebuilt it from scratch. How would we approach facilitation, program design, or strategic planning if we had never done it before? We often think the magic lies in grand strategies or big decisions (and don’t get me wrong—they have their place), but more often, it’s the basics that make all the difference.

You know how fast technology changes, right? Back in 2008, I was deep in Twitter, Facebook, and email marketing to promote causes, share messages, and support clients. I even picked up a few awards for social media innovation. Now? I don’t even have a Twitter or Facebook account. Wild, right? This is a reminder of how quickly things shift and how we’ve gotta keep up.