Creating your museum

Congratulations! You’ve started 2015 with a bang and are most likely already executing your strategic plan to reach the goals set forth this year. Many credit union executives are in “full speed ahead” mode and are in a race to get to their goals as quickly as possible so they can be on to the “next big thing.”

Energy, excitement, drive, and motivation are certainly key elements you need in executing a plan, especially in the first few weeks. However, like many plans (and New Years Resolutions), that same motivation and excitement can dwindle and eventually turn into downright burnout – the killer of success and momentum.

So how do we keep from getting burned out on reaching those big goals we have for 2015?

Let’s go on a little mental adventure. Think about your favorite piece of art. Close your eyes, and really picture it in your mind’s eye. Think about how it makes you feel, and what it makes you feel. What do you like about it and what intrigues you about it? Go ahead, I’ll wait…

Your favorite piece of art is hanging in a museum somewhere. You may have seen it in a book, or maybe even in person. Museums don’t just display the best works by each artist, or some of the best museums in the world wouldn’t be in existence. One of the most enjoyable things about visiting these museums is getting to walk through and stand in front of each piece and see the progression of the artists’ particular skills, brush strokes, use of color and shading techniques. You get to see their growth and what subject has caught his or her attention throughout the years.

Museums create a visual story of artists’ lives successes throughout their careers – and it is the same philosophy credit unions should be using to celebrate their successes throughout the year. This “museum” we are creating tells us who we are, why we do it, and the people who helped make the organization successful.

While measuring ROI and tracking your progress is vitally important to achieving ultimate success, celebrating these successes and building your museum is vital in keeping everyone engaged, excited, and committed to reaching the goals together.

We’re almost one month through 2015. What is or will be the first piece of art in your credit union’s museum this year?