Next 4 Years: Thrive or Survive?

Two men facing away - democrat and a republican
Reading Time: 3 minutes

No matter who sits in the Oval Office, one thing is certain: The next four years are yours to shape.

There are three types of people when it comes to navigating times of change:

The first group is illusory and out of touch. In this group, some believe everything will magically improve, while others are in full panic mode. If you fall into either camp, you’re giving away too much power to circumstances beyond your control. Many in this group have only small amounts of information, yet they still run with it—often making decisions based on an incomplete or erroneous understanding. This isn’t good for personal growth or leadership; true progress comes from deeper knowledge and thoughtful action.

The second group is waiting to see what happens. “Let’s just see how this all plays out,” they think. There’s nothing wrong with that — but waiting on the sidelines rarely leads to growth. If you’re in this group and plan to stay there (nothing wrong with that!), stick around—we’ll share tools on our platforms to help you move forward with purpose.

The third group? They’re ready. These are the people who say, “No matter what’s happening around me, I’m committed to making these next four years my best yet.” They know success isn’t about luck. It’s about taking control where they can: learning, growing, and doing the work most people won’t. To quote Zig Ziglar, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” Those who registered for the Planned Giving Boot Camp are from this group.

 Here’s the truth:

    • Strong organizations have collapsed in booming economies.

    • Struggling organizations have found ways to thrive even in downturns.

    • If you’re committed to excellence, you can succeed no matter what the headlines say.

The Power of Choice

The difference between those who thrive and those who merely survive often comes down to choice. Will you focus on problems, or on opportunities? Will you dwell on what’s out of your hands, or double down on personal growth and leadership?

If you feel stuck, start by asking yourself: What can I control today? Maybe it’s improving your skills, expanding your network, or showing up with a stronger mindset. Small, intentional actions lead to momentum.

Mindset Matters

The most successful people don’t let outside events dictate their progress, whether they agree with those events or not. Instead, they focus on resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning. They know every setback can be a setup for a stronger comeback.

They don’t sit on the sidelines — they stay in the game. They don’t just watch commercials — they create them.

Think about the greats: athletes, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Every one of them has faced moments of uncertainty, but their mindset made the difference. They chose to rise.

So can you.

It’s Time to Take Action 

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a series of choices made every day. Here are a few ways you can take charge right now:

    1. Forget Who Is President: Whether you’re on the left or right, Trump is not going to show up at your next performance review. You are in charge.

    1. Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you. Be specific: “Become a productivity ninja!” is a lot clearer than just, “Do better.”

    1. Build Your Skills: Read. Listen. Attend workshops. Invest in yourself — because binge-watching documentaries doesn’t count as professional development.

    1. Expand Your Network: Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Remember, networking isn’t just collecting business cards.

    1. Stay Consistent: Progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up. As Woody Allen once said, “80% of success in life is just showing up.”

Which Group Are You In?

The next four years will pass, no matter what. Stop thinking about who the next president will be. The question is, will you grow, or will you coast? Will you lead, or will you follow?

Decide now. Let’s make these years the best yet — together.

Democrat-Republican Politics

We value your insights! What stood out to you in this article? Join or start a conversation below.

4 Comments

  • These words are so true as we position ourselves for success in 2025! So many NPO’s can benefit from meaningful and intentional bi-partisan thinking to achieve short-term goals and long-range vision.

  • Having a plan and focus for the future will always be necessary. We need to control what is within our power to shape! Like investing, the sooner you start setting aside that first dollar ultimately results in long-term stability and growth. How many in the nonprofit space wish they would have started an endowment years ago. The time for building for future stability is now. I fall into the third group, but I do prefer an environment where obstacles are broken down!

  • Viken and Jay are 100% right. It is up to us to be in charge of what we can control (or at least what we believe we can control). My goals, my plan, my attitude, continuing to learn, building strong relationships all fall into this category. I don’t know about you, but 2024 was a spectacular year by every measure. What is my–and your–plan for making 2025 even better?

  • I can’t tell you how many times I have told nonprofit leaders: focus on your work, not on politics, unless politics IS your work (and it probably isn’t!). If you’re running a health clinic or a homeless shelter, you should be focused on raising money and serving those who need your help, not opining about politics on your nonprofit’s social media pages.

    Far too many nonprofit leaders wring their hands every time an administration (federal, state, or municipal) changes hands, when that bandwidth would be better put to use meeting with new donors, writing up a new fundraising plan, or reaching out to new volunteers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Colored open hand illustration

Seeking Visionary Voices

Do you have:

  • A bold idea or unique insight?
  • A story of success—or hard-won lessons from failure?
  • Expert advice your peers need to hear?

Join other forward-thinkers shaping the future of philanthropy. Share your perspective, elevate the conversation, and let your voice be heard.

Contribute your wisdom today.

Related Posts

Elderly hands holding vintage pocket watch beside letters and book, symbolizing legacy, memory, and time's role in giving. It illustrates a blog post about the importance of having a planned giving program.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time for Planned Giving

The most meaningful gifts aren’t given out of impulse—they’re reserved for those who’ve earned lasting trust. If your organization hasn’t shown it’s built for the long term, don’t expect to be remembered when it matters most. Donors don’t leave legacies to nonprofits scrambling to survive. They choose the ones that act like they belong in the future. If your message ends with “we need help,” you’ve already lost. The real question is: Are you worthy?

Read More »
Two people pointing at the same number from opposite sides—one sees 66, the other sees 99—illustrating how perspective shapes perception.

Living on the Right Side of the Street

As we drive through our neighborhoods, each home tells a different story. On one side, mornings begin with breakfasts, school runs, and fresh energy. On the other, night-shift workers are winding down, reflecting on the day’s lessons. Our perspective defines what we see—hope or fatigue, beginnings or conclusions. By asking, “What does this look like from the other side of the street?” we open the door to empathy. In families, communities, and work, this simple shift can build deeper understanding, turning judgment into connection and isolation into belonging.

Read More »
Finger poised over a glowing red panic button—symbolizing the urgent, high-stakes decisions nonprofits face in uncertain times.

Have We Been Here Before?

Laura MacDonald discusses how nonprofits face recurring disruptions but historically remain resilient. Despite challenges like COVID-19, tax changes, recessions, and current political anxiety, charitable giving has averaged 6% growth since 1967. She advises organizations to project resilience, sustain relationships, respond strategically rather than react, and adopt donor-centric approaches. Rather than making preemptive decisions for donors, nonprofits should stay the course and continue their missions, as anxiety is the enemy of philanthropy but donor confidence typically rebounds within 6-18 months after disruptions.

Read More »
People collaboratively nurturing and tending a flourishing garden, symbolizing humble stewardship through caring cultivation rather than control

Stewardship: More Than You Realized

The author argues that true stewardship requires humility and self-awareness, not just good management skills. Many stewardship efforts remain transactional rather than transformational due to lack of humility. The solution involves self-stewardship through 15 attributes of humility, including being teachable, correctable, and focused on helping others succeed. A donor-centric approach requires genuine curiosity about donors’ passions and motivations. Effective stewardship involves asking better questions, deep listening, and building meaningful relationships. Ultimately, stewardship isn’t about money or control—it’s about love and compassionate service to others.

Read More »