Are you Already Behind?

“I’m ALWAYS behind.” On my January Major Gifts Success Club Coaching Call there was a question about getting it all done. This question came from an extremely successful, veteran, major-gifts officer. And, this was early January! I get it.

Yes, it is a new year, but for many of us, we are already behind, or STILL behind.

Let’s look deeper into this. Here are 7 steps to help you stop feeling behind.

1. Ask the Right Question. Being behind means something is not finished when you want it to be. That’s a different question than “Why am I always behind?” So let’s address the self-talk, “Why don’t I ever finish what I begin?” (Terrible question) and immediately replace it with the empowering question, “Why do I most often finish what I start?” Your mind will ‘google’ all the times you were successful now instead of providing you a list of past failures. Ask yourself this question twice daily and whenever your thoughts are filled with “why am I behind?” You become what you think about.

2. Practice Mindfulness. Are your mind and body in the same place? A Harvard research study concluded that when you are present, in the moment, you get more done and are happier. Think about really listening to a donor, or your kids. Do not habitually glance at your phone. Multitasking is not a positive trait. Control your wandering mind.

3. Stop only when the task is done. How many windows are open on your computer? Do you ever find an email started at 8 am still sitting there at 5 pm unfinished and not sent? My word of the year is FINISH. Now before you start telling me about all the interruptions in your day, take one small action. Commit to finishing one thing during time that IS yours to control. Notice how good “DONE!” feels. Go for more of these small completions!

4. Everything can’t be urgent and important. I make a Master GET To Do list the first Monday of each month. This is a brain dump of everything. It is generally 7-8 typed pages and includes my work, family, band, personal wellness and home projects and spans into the future. You may scream, but I actually like seeing Valentine’s Day displays on December 28th. Look well ahead, and set a date to take action. Then don’t think about it again until that time. I am ‘present’ with all these things each month when I redo the list and add reminders to my calendar. (ACT in the MOMENT!) Does stuff jump in? Sure. But it isn’t a crisis if the rest is managed. Every donor is NOT urgent and important all the time. Thinking like that will make you crazy.

5. Create your RAPs. A relationship action plan – my more artful and authentic version of “moves management” tells you what you need to do with your major donors to empowering them to make a favorable major gift decision for your organization. These plans can span years. When it is time for a donor action, be totally present with them.

6. Visualize yourself calm, energized and powerfully productive. Russell Wilson, former Badger and now Seattle Seahawks quarterback, is playing some amazing games. He’s overcome people telling him he’s too short to be any good. He is not shy about saying in interviews, “I visualized this entire game before I played it.” Now he doesn’t just sit on his butt dreaming. He’s also said, “Dreams don’t come true; dreams are MADE true.” That’s where focused, determined work comes in. Less talk, less drama, more calm, focused work. Close your eyes, see yourself in control and feel the wonderful sensation. Repeat.

7. This is life-long work. People constantly say to me, “Marcy, I don’t know how you do it all.” First off, I don’t. I miss timelines, forget details, totally mess up, get down on myself. But instead of saying, “Why are you such a disorganized screw-up?” I say, “What will I do now to get this back on track?”

You were not put on this planet to “just get by” and feel like you’re never “enough.” Yet most people will spend their entire life this way. You…especially YOU, choosing to be in this honorable and noble fundraising profession, are here to make your mark, use your unique gifts, talents and passion to compose a good world. And, to live a large, beautiful life filled with challenges, accomplishments and ongoing contributions to others.

A light has no value until you turn it on. May 2015 be your year to shine bright!

Invest in Joy!