Whether you’re a steadfast resolution writer or a tomorrow is another day kind of person, it’s hard to resist the beginning of a New Year as a chance to start afresh. There’s a surprising connection between writing grants and setting New Year’s resolutions. Here’s what I mean.
As grant professionals, we work to understand the needs and assets of the communities we serve through research, data, and feedback. You can use the same approach to take a good look at where you are right now. What’s working? What isn’t? Honest assessment leads to better personal goals.
Sound program design is critical to developing a fundable grant proposal. The most common questions from that section of a grant proposal such as how the program is evidence-based, what are the primary activities, and who is delivering them provide a blueprint approach for designing personal goals. Take the same approach with your goals – look at what you want to achieve and what resources you actually have. Got a fitness goal? Great, but do you have gym access or home equipment? Want to learn a new skill? Check out available classes or online resources first.
Vague goals and objectives are the enemy of progress in a grant proposal. Grant writers don’t just say “help people” – they spell out exactly what they’ll do. Instead of “get healthy,” try “cook dinner at home four nights a week” or “walk for 20 minutes during lunch break.”
Think like a grant professional:
– Keep your important stuff organized and easy to find
– Track what you’re doing (simple notes work fine)
– Connect with people who share your goals
– Check your progress regularly
Success isn’t about perfectly following your plan. It’s about:
– Breaking big goals into smaller weekly tasks
– Setting reasonable deadlines
– Knowing how you’ll measure success
– Finding someone to keep you accountable
– Planning how to maintain progress long-term
Grant writing and personal goals are marathons, not sprints. Focus on steady progress, learn from setbacks, and celebrate small wins along the way. If one of your resolutions is to grow your grant writing skills, we have a few slots available in our next Grants Lab cohort, starting January 28th. Details and registration are HERE.
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