65: Cultivate Success

"...Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity..."

This week, I am reading quotes from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu from his various works.

Reflection questions:

• Are you watering your fundraising appeals with worry and desperation?  Or, are you watering them with kindness and optimism?

• During a busy fundraising season, how are you embracing the saying, “do your work, and then step back. The only path to serenity”?

Reflection on Quote:

In the United States, we have trained our donors to give between November and December, which means that a prepared fund development professional has already finished their year end letter.  Or maybe not.  Yes, when we enter a busy season of fundraising, it can be very stressful and that stress can leak out into the appeals we send.

How we write our appeals to donors does affect the outcome.  We can approach the writing with worry, fear, desperation.  And, our appeals will reflect that fear and worry.  And, our donors will react - some by giving out of fear, but others will choose not to give at all.  Or, we can approach the writing with confidence, kindness, optimism, and solutions.  And, our appeals will reflect that kindness and optimism.  These appeals attract donors because they give donors a greater vision of what they can accomplish by joining with the mission and constituents we serve.

This work has entered the public domain.

To explore fundraising coaching deeper and to schedule an exploratory session, visit ServingNonprofits.com.

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

Transcript

Welcome back. This podcast isn't about fundraising best practices or techniques. It's about the deeper wisdom of the beautiful space where generosity occurs, a weekly five-minute reflection to ground you for the week ahead. If you like this podcast, please rate and review it in your favorite podcast app.

In the United States, we have trained our donors to give between November and December, which means that a prepared fund development professional has already finished their year end letter.  Or maybe not.  Yes, when we enter a busy season of fundraising, it can be very stressful and that stress can leak out into the appeals we send.  Let’s visit some wisdom from the 6th century BC.  This week, I am reading quotes from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu from his various works.

Quote 

“Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success. Always be on the lookout for ways to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. Always be on the lookout for ways to nurture your dream.”

Unquote

So, instead of watering our appeals with worry and fear, let’s focus on a different emotions.  

He shares, 

Quote

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

Unquote

With words that create confidence, profoundness and love, we have a choice to make on how we wait for donors to respond.

He says, Quote

Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity.

Unquote

How we write our appeals to donors does affect the outcome.  We can approach the writing with worry, fear, desperation.  And, our appeals will reflect that fear and worry.  And, our donors will react - some by giving out of fear, but others will choose not to give at all.  Or, we can approach the writing with confidence, kindness, optimism, and solutions.  And, our appeals will reflect that kindness and optimism.  These appeals attract donors because they give donors a greater vision of what they can accomplish by joining with the mission and constituents we serve.

Let’s reflect on two questions this week:

Are you watering your fundraising appeals with worry and desperation?  Or, are you watering them with kindness and optimism?

During a busy fundraising season, how are you embracing the saying, “do your work, and then step back. The only path to serenity”?

Share this podcast if you enjoy these five-minute reflections and subscribe to receive these reflections released every Monday. To explore fundraising coaching deeper, visit Serving Nonprofits dot com. See you next week.