“Optimism can take you anywhere!” — Jake and Rocket, Life Is Good
Major gift development work is both rewarding and demanding. Even the most positive of us can get 
discouraged from time to time with heavy travel schedules, too many meetings, budget realities and well, just life. Our attitudes are contagious and not only will we experience more success, we’ll be happier if we manage our mindset. Here are 5 tools you easily can use to help stay optimistic!
- Rename your “To Do” list your “GET To Do” list. It is subtle, but powerful. Today, and every day, we GET to do our work. We have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our donors and our institutions. Yes simple, but powerful.
- “People love to give me money.” For years this has been my positive affirmation. No, I am not implying people give money to Marcy personally….but I DO represent my organization, I DO believe my cause is worthwhile or I wouldn’t be working here, and I DO believe my donors experience joy and satisfaction when we work together to find the best investment for them in my organization! How many of you are thinking, “People are asked so much, this is really hard.” Change this to, “People love to give me money!”
- Keep a “Ta Da” list. We spend so much time crossing off and adding to our “To Do” lists (now your GET To Do list) but we quickly forget what we have actually achieved. At least once a week (I suggest Friday) make a list of the what you got done…scribble as much down as you can think of in a little notebook. Reread last weeks. Now go and enjoy your family and the weekend.
- Call a donor and say, “Thank you!” You will be surprised how this lifts your spirits. Pull
a list of all donors to one of your projects and just make a call once a week. No answer? Leave this message, “Hi, Matt. This is Marcy Heim. I thought of you today as I was working on the new equipment project and I was reminded of your kind gift. I simply wanted to say, “thank you” and visit a bit. Sorry to have missed you. Know that you make a difference and we are grateful for your help. Enjoy your day.” - Experience your Mission. Nothing will bring your optimism up more powerfully than to get right into the reason you are raising money in the first place. Do whatever you can to get close up and personal with the good your cause accomplishes.
As Jake says, “Optimism can take you anywhere!”
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© 2011 Marcy Heim and The Artful Asker LLC.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR ON YOUR WEB SITE? Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:
Marcy Heim is a sought-after coach and trainer to fundraising leadership, staff and key volunteers who are transforming the world by encouraging philanthropy for their missions. She is a trusted authority in the development profession, who helps organizations and educational institutions uplevel their major gift programs through artful, long-term relationship building that dramatically increases fundraising success AND promotes increased staff job satisfaction. Her monthly Artful Action newsletter inspires leadership and staff to embrace the real power and joy of philanthropy. If you are ready to take your development efforts to the next level, you can sign up for a F.R.E.E. subscription at www.marcyheim.com.
In our major gift development work…as in life, every day is filled with circumstances – the “state of affairs.” Too often we simply accept that these are the cards we have been dealt, shrug and plod along. Like Mr. Shaw, I don’t believe in circumstances. Instead….