Lessons from a Time Capsule

The year was 1999. Bill Clinton was President, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets had just been released in the U.S., and the Y2K scare was in full effect. It was a time of excitement, uncertainty, and reflection. In the midst of it all, my family decided to create a time capsule—a tangible snapshot of our lives in 1999. We gathered photos, cherished items, and handwritten notes, sealing them away for a future unveiling.

Fast forward 25 years, and the much-anticipated moment finally arrived. We gathered as a family to open the time capsule, excited to revisit a piece of our shared history. Much has changed since 1999, but one thing has remained constant: the joy of gathering with loved ones to reflect on the past and dream about the future. The time capsule not only preserved our memories but also provided a unique opportunity to reconnect and renew our appreciation for one another.

Time capsules aren’t just for families. Organizations, too, have their own history worth preserving. Every milestone, big or small, contributes to the story of your organization. Just like my family’s time capsule, documenting these moments offers a chance to reflect on successes, learn from challenges, and set intentions for the future.

At SWIM, we especially like to devote time to celebrating. Celebrations are special moments to reflect, acknowledge and honor the work completed or underway, AND to recognize and appreciate the assets your organization is able to build upon for a better future. Before you dive into the next planning cycle, throw a party. We’ve seen the power of a celebration to propel reflection and planning for the future. 

Four ways a celebration can accelerate your organization: 

1. It highlights the diverse strengths of our community: Asking open-ended questions like “What is something you’ve done recently that you’re proud of?” builds trust and develops a sense of belonging within a group of people. When you only ask for reports on a department basis, you’re only going to hear about the things being done for the plan that you wrote. These open-ended questions help you see assets from which you can build in new ways. 

2. It helps us leverage the full power of our existing capacity: Celebration asks us to acknowledge what’s working and gives us a pause to consider how we can adapt our core competencies towards a new vision. Once we’ve leveraged our existing power we can consider what needs to be added to meet our future goals. 

3. It breaks down departmental silos: Working with the same people everyday means you might not have the chance to see what is going on in other areas of the organization. Celebration is a way to break down those silos, take the time to connect with other teams and highlight the good work being done. 

4. It aligns the work with the mission: Reflection helps people see and understand alignment between actions and purpose. Actions plus reflection can lead to shifts in mindsets that accelerate the outcomes you want. Don’t get so caught up in the DOING that you forget to BE the organization and leader that you set out to be.

Is your organization in a moment that deserves recognition? Need help bringing celebration to a strategic plan? Let’s connect! Schedule a call today.