Association Executives Taking These Seven Lessons Into 2024

Be sure to take these 7 lessons with you into the new year!

As 2024 awaits our arrival, I’m exhaustedly trying to tie up loose ends before the end of the year.

We do this year-end work of “clearing things up” to keep people happy. We do it for someone’s peace of mind.

Maybe it’s our own, a spouse’s, or our children’s… or maybe we want our accountant not to sweat any unpaid final invoices at the end of the year. (sorry, Ezra!)

What December brings with it is a time for many of us to tidy things up and decide what we want to keep or get rid of – which leads me to this week’s “Question of the Week” in the Association Chat online community – in which we ask for insights to the shared community wisdom:

“What lessons did you learn this year that you want to carry into 2024?”

The responses to this question from the Association Chat community fell into several themes that I tried to capture here. As we’ve shared before, reflection can be helpful for learning. See if some of these lessons resonate with your own experiences this year!

1. Embracing Broader Perspectives

Community members enlightened us about the necessity of adopting a more inclusive viewpoint. This lesson, sort of like adjusting the focus on a kaleidoscope, reminds us to appreciate the myriad patterns that make up our social landscape.

2. Identity Beyond Profession

Who hasn’t had to come to this realization in the past? Our essence is not confined to our professional achievements. But it’s easier said (or written) than fully realized. This insight reminds us that we are complex mosaics of dreams, stories, and identities beyond our work – or at least, we should be.

3. The Art of Balance

There is an importance in finding an equilibrium in our lives – and it is not often the easiest thing to achieve! In a world that constantly throws us off balance, this wisdom stands as a reminder to protect our peace, urging us to seek harmony in our actions and lives.

4. Self-Compassion and Boundaries

We should strive to work and learn at a sustainable pace while practicing self-kindness. Even a challenging experience can teach us the importance of setting boundaries and nurturing our inner selves.

5. Redefining Work and Community Engagement

What is the healthiest balance between professional life and community involvement? This question speaks to the rejuvenating power of volunteering and rethinking our engagement with the world around us.

6. Life Lessons in Action

One contributor shared a series of personal epiphanies, from the importance of discernment in decision-making to embracing the joy of life. These lessons guide us to move through life with purpose and celebration.

 

7. Embracing Change and Support

Other voices in our group resonated with themes of embracing change, finding hope in missed opportunities, and the art of seeking and receiving help.

In Summary

As we navigate the year 2024, let’s carry these shared lessons with us! Each piece of shared wisdom can act like a lantern. Or at least help get us safely past some of the looming potholes waiting for us on the road ahead.

Here’s to a year of learning, growing, and thriving together in this wondrous and weird association world! Stay curious and stay connected!

More to Love

Join the conversation at Association Chat (Facebook Group or LinkedIn) and share your own insights and lessons. Let’s continue to nurture this community!

[How I used generative AI in this article: I used ChatGPT 4 to review my draft copy of responses to the “Question of the Week” and asked for the tool to identify the themes represented by those quotes, which I then reviewed, edited as needed, and used as headings for the content. All of the mediocre writing and obnoxious viewpoints are 100% my own.]

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