The Danger of Working in the Wrong Direction

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” —Anonymous

Every business, nonprofit, or faith community needs to keep a close eye on its finances. You’ve heard it before: Know. Your. Numbers. If an organization consistently spends more than it brings in, it won’t survive. Profit isn’t optional—it’s essential.

But money has a dark side too. One that’s especially deceptive because it disguises itself as productivity.

The truth is: Money Can Keep You from Working in the Right Direction

Hustle is what matters. But only when hustle is done in the right direction!

When you’re starting something new, you’ve got to put in the work. Laziness gets you nowhere. Pope Paul VI once said, “All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life.” Even sloth has earned a place among the Seven Deadly Sins.

But here’s the key: Work must be intentional. It’s not enough to be busy—you have to be moving in the right direction.

Years ago, I served on the board of a nonprofit that received a generous gift from an angel investor. The vision was compelling, the team was passionate, and the investor was kind-hearted. On the surface, it looked like a perfect match.

But there’s a difference between spending money and investing it.

The organization spent over $350,000 in its first year. People were hired. Salaries and benefits were paid. Funds went to equipment, team-building, courses, and content creation. But nothing was invested in sustainability or revenue generation.

When we asked how the team had used their time, they said things like:

“We’ve been working our butts off.”

“We’re here every day.”

“We’ve been taking classes and doing podcasts.”

“We’ve written blogs.”

But no one said:

“We raised funds.”

“We met with clients.”

“We closed sales.”

“We launched our product.”

“We hit our financial goals.”

The team was busy—but busy heading nowhere. They worked hard, but not smart. Their energy wasn’t aligned with their purpose.

And eventually, the money ran out.

If you're a massive corporation with a billion-dollar runway, you can afford to burn cash while you “figure it out.” But small organizations? You don’t have that luxury. When the money’s gone, it's over.

Here’s the Hard Lesson:

When you’re desperate for money, you’re forced to focus. That kind of urgency becomes your real-world business school. Every mistake, every decision, every pivot teaches you something. And if you pay attention, it will shape you into a sharper, more resilient leader.

So the next time funding comes your way, don’t just get to work—get to work in the right direction. Invest. Don’t just spend. And remember: hustle without strategy is just spinning your wheels.