Facilitating Community
Is everyone around you evaluating something of high importance? It seems that way to me. The nonprofit sector is evaluating mission statements and services to be sure they are meeting real need and not duplicating the work of others. The for-profit sector is evaluating if the product they provide is something people actually want, or better yet, need. I see artists of all stripes, the creative class, evaluating if their voice is being heard or if they are shouting in the wind.
Plenty of us have also taken the time to stop and evaluate ourselves. I was able to attend a workshop in September 2009 sponsored by Nashville CABLE, A Women's Business Group, about building a personal brand. Clearly the universe was telling me to knuckle down and do some evaluating.
The process of forming brand is the result of unrelenting passion, not spin. So, I asked myself what I felt passionate about, what was the essence of what I was about and is it something I am already doing and, if so, is it impacting others?
I enjoy leading. People follow leaders because they can see the vision when the rest are paralysed by fear. I really needed to clear my vision! I was able to develop my own personal mission statement that day: “Advocating Creative Opportunities For My Community to Achieve Its Potential”
What is thrilling to me is that now, nearly four years later, I am doing this and continue to find new ways to expand it. Advocacy, Creativity, Development, Community Service.
Laura Berman Fortang suggests these questions that will help your own evaluation:
What are you built to do?
Clues:
- How do people use you?
- What have people always said you should be?
- What is the essence of your dream?