Skip Steps to Get (Major Gifts) Success: Part 1
PART 1 of a 4-Part Series.
It’s supposed to be hard, right? This endless, uphill climb fraught with overwhelm, unexpected problems, unfair decisions. Then one day – bingo – you are a success!
Or, perhaps you’re not where you want to be yet. Or, perhaps many years have gone by and you look back with a bit of disappointment at some unfulfilled desires and goals.
All this work – find the prospects, cultivate the prospects, ask the prospects, ask again maybe, steward them – and all over again. Maybe do events, too or some program, or manage staff, or whatever.
And, you’d like to mix in at least a little R & R within the ROI of your performance.
My Dad always said, “We’re too soon old and too late smart.”
So how do we get smarter about raising major gifts faster to enjoy the success we want sooner? How do we find a rich life balance? Can we skip some steps along the way?
Yes!
And to do that we need to fill our lives with experiences and people we can learn from! “Mentors” in terms of real people, books, workshops, this post and more. In this and the next 3 posts, we’ll look at how to intentionally incorporate these experiences into your life to leapfrog over some of the rough parts as well as move through the learning more quickly.
Here are Four Steps you need to take to Skip Steps to Get Success!
1. Figure out what’s important to you.
2. Focus on BOTH components of success – the thought process and the specific techniques.
3. Seek out all types of mentors and educational experiences.
4. Realize you are closer than you think.
1. Figure out what’s important to you.
There’s a saying, “It’s not dress rehearsal. Live the life you imagined.” So many of us pack our days with activity. Make a date with yourself to WRITE OUT where you see yourself in 5-10 years. What does “success” look like to you? Your work, family, hobbies, free time.
Earl Nightingale defined “success” as “The progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” In other words, making decisions that lead you to what you define as your ideal life. Honestly, it takes some effort. It’s easier to let your parents, boss, spouse or someone else tell you or pursue THEIR dreams and you tag along. Problem is, they AREN’T you. So you end up feeling like something is missing. Take the time to WRITE OUT…what does your work and personal life look like? Where and how do you spend your time? With whom?
Then here’s a step to skip. Skip the stuff you are doing simply to please others and take action on what is important to you. Brutally track your time and ask, “What can I stop doing?” Full-time major gift officer? Major gifts and staff management? Big organization? Small shop? Benefits? Flexibility? Working from home? Easy options for catching the kids 15 minute show at school? Best pay? A culture of long days? What is important to you? Not in a selfish way, but in a focused way. The ‘best’ you BEST serves others.
You see, if you know what you want you have a whole lot better shot at getting it. I will have folks tell me, “I couldn’t believe I was able to get the time to pursue a degree while working.” or “We worked out a completely different schedule so I could care for my parents…that was really important to me.” Actually, I more often hear, “Jenny worked out going to an Executive MBA class. I wonder if I’d ever get to do something like that?”
Only 3% of all people have clear, written goals. Studies show that only 2-3% of people say they are happy with the success in their lives. Hmmmmm. See a connection here?
Do you always know NOW what you want YEARS from NOW? There are some continuous and common themes. Doing work that supports others…living by the water….active in a church that supports you spiritually….colleagues you can also be friends with…. children. As you write out this vision of what is important to you, over time you will see patterns, where you are in sync with your vision, and what seems to never happen. This is a good time to ask, “why?” The answers may surprise you.
Stay tuned for Part 2 in June!
