“What’s the lightest weight we can carry now?”

This question was asked by a client during one of our project check-ins at the height of COVID-19. The client, like many organizations, experienced drastic shifts in their programming. Namely, deciding which programs and strategies were flexible enough to pivot to a virtual space while figuring out work from home setups for staff.

Figuring out what was “essential” and what wasn’t impacted staff’s capacity to support program participants, many whom support communities heavily impacted by COVID-19. 

We discussed how they make decisions under normal circumstances. As they’re nimble, what’s normal for them is operating with the assumption that anything can occur to undermine how they support program participants.

The client had to make quick programmatic decisions. If their programming could no longer operate as intended, they must answer:

  • What can we learn from this?
  • How can we pivot what’s deemed as essential?
  • What qualifies as “non-essential”?
  • How can a “non-essential” program become more essential in the future?

This process combines program design with evaluative thinking. Evaluative thinking requires routinely questioning what’s happening as it’s happening. Sometimes when this happens, we disregard the above questions and instead answer:

“What’s the lightest weight we can carry?”

Resiliency is like a muscle. We build it by starting with the lightest weight. When we’re able to handle the lightest weight with proper form, we progress to a heavier weight.

While the client example focuses on programs and services, this question can also be asked in our personal lives.

Professionally, prioritizing your lightest weight helps build momentum, as small tasks often serve as the foundation for a larger goal.

Personally, prioritizing your lightest weight may simply mean determining the one thing needed to get done today to help you feel better.

As you go about your day, determine what’s the lightest weight you can carry to move things forward (or just to feel better.)

Raise Your Voice: How do you prioritize your lightest weight? Share below in the comments section.

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