Curiosity, trust, vulnerability and refilling yourself

If you’re naturally impatient like me, you want to see things happen (quickly).

I’m big on momentum though, so it’s not always about the final result.

Everything is a process. What you’re working on won’t be perfect as soon as you’d like it to be, and it may not even work out at all.

Whether you’re a nonprofit organization trying out a new fundraising strategy, a founder testing an innovative idea, or just creating a piece of content personally — even when you’re following all the latest best practices, success isn’t guaranteed.

If you haven’t felt this already, you’ll experience it the more reps you put in.

The journey is usually messy and full of unexpected challenges — but there’s good and there’s growth in there.

So what can you do?

How can you stay grounded and focused along the way?

Recently I attended a fundraiser for an artist-run nonprofit organization based in Toronto called TFD, where their co-founder David Norsworthy spoke (my fiancé is on the board).

Based on my experiences in both the worlds of creativity and social impact (and where they intersect), what he shared was relevant and inspired me to write about today on The Intersection.

These 3 seemingly ordinary yet impactful messages are what stood out to me most:

1. Stay curious.

When I was really young, I’d ask questions all the time about just about anything. My mom reminds me of my repeatedly asking: “What’s that truck carrying? And what’s that truck carrying?” while driving.

Curiosity is the spark that ignites creativity and innovation. It’s what drives us to explore new possibilities, to ask questions, and to seek out solutions that might not be immediately obvious. Or, to just get creative and explore.

It leads to continual growth and learning.

In a world that’s constantly evolving, curiosity keeps us moving things forward, even when the path is unclear.

David’s organization actually sells a Stay Curious t-shirt.

2. Trust the process.

This is easier said than done, especially when the process is unpredictable or when you’re in a period of overwhelm. Trusting the process means having faith in your journey, even when the outcome isn’t certain. It’s about embracing the messiness, knowing that every step — whether it feels like it’s in the right direction or not — is part of the larger picture.

This reminds me of the Steve Jobs quote about how you can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards — so you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. (Jobs said you have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever — and that this approach has never let him down).

3. Lead with vulnerability.

The best leaders aren’t afraid to be vulnerable.

Leading with vulnerability isn’t about showing weakness — it’s about being authentic, open, and honest. It’s about creating spaces where people feel safe to express themselves, to share their ideas, and to connect on a deeper level.

This is especially important in the nonprofit sector, where the work we do is often deeply personal and tied to our values and beliefs.

The talk also reminded me of something that’s key but often missed:

Refill your pot.

As an organization, and as individuals, we need to take care of ourselves. Burnout is real — especially in entrepreneurship and nonprofits — and it’s easy to lose sight of our own needs when we’re focused on serving others.

A sidenote for nonprofits specifically — 95% of leaders see burnout as a concern in their organization, and many are seeing its effects. Roughly 75% of surveyed leaders said staff burnout is impacting their organization's ability to achieve its mission in some way. Stats: State of Nonprofits 2024 by CEP

My friend Hamza Khan wrote a really informative book called The Burnout Gamble a few years back, which has some great recommendations. He reminds you to “Refill your bucket” on a regular basis, which can look like catching up on sleep, making time for laughter and fun, eating enough to maintain solid energy levels, and otherwise making time for recovery.

Refill your pot by taking time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with your purpose.

Operating at the intersection

This organization operates at the intersection of curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and community — very similar to me (hence, you’re reading The Intersection).

These aren’t just buzzwords, they’re the foundation of how perhaps TFD and myself both approach our respective work.

As an organization, the organization is sharing art and connecting people, creating spaces where creativity can thrive and communities can grow stronger.

It’s a reminder that the work we do, while often imperfect and challenging, has the power to make a real impact.

Stay curious, trust the process, and lead with vulnerability.

And don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way.