Feeling stuck? Get unstuck in five simple steps.
I saw this simple, brilliant advice from Lisa Maxwell-Frieden on LinkedIn WAY back in 2020 and have held onto it as the fundraising gold that it is ever since:
She goes on to say, “If you are feeling stuck, try enlisting the power of 5.“
While Lisa’s original post was from the height of the pandemic, in many ways, it still rings surprisingly true today.
If an ever-growing list of year-end to-do’s has you feeling paralyzed or stuck today, here are five simple tips from Lisa (with a few edits from me) to help you get unstuck:
1) Start your day with gratitude.
Call a giver simply to say thank you.
It could be for a first gift, or it could be for a major gift. It doesn’t matter.
Just pick up the phone or send a text and say thanks!
Bonus if you send a handwritten note after you hang up.
Then:
2) Make a discovery call.
Make a connection with a new champion you’ve never spoken to before.
Ask them:
- What are you most excited or passionate about in your life right now?
- What are the most important things you’d like to accomplish next year?
- What is it that we do that first caught your interest?
- What inspired you to invest in our organization?
Do whatever works for you. Just make sure you learn something and make a new connection for your organization.
Next:
3) Call someone who has not yet given in 2023.
See how they’re doing. Remind them of the great work they’re making possible.
Cast a bit of vision for 2024.
And then ask them to consider giving again.
Now you’re on a roll:
4) Call one of your top 10 givers to check in.
How are they? Have they heard the latest news from your organization? Is there anything you can do for them?
Let them know you are thinking of them and are grateful for them.
Wish them a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year.
End with a smile:
5) Make a stewardship call.
Do you have a champion who lives alone? Maybe in assisted living?
Call to say hello and share some news.
Let them know you are thinking about them — that they are seen and appreciated.
Give the gift of human connection.
At this point, you are officially unstuck and can go about your day.
2024 is coming fast, and I know you’re super busy.
But … if by some chance you’re also feeling stuck … what if you spent the first hour of every work day between now and 12/31 doing one (or some combination) of these five activities?
How do you think it might change the way you experience these next two weeks?
How do you think it might bless the people who support your work?
What if you layered these five practices into your daily rhythm in 2024?
What difference do you think it might make over a year, a decade, or the life of your career?
Little by little, a little becomes a lot.
Have an awesome weekend, and keep up the good work!
