"...All that happens, happens right: you will find it so if you observe narrowly..."

This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD.

Reflection questions:

• When you have failed in your work recently, how are observing narrowly for the right things that came out of it?

• Are you seeking perfection or goodness in your fundraising activities?

Reflection on the quote:

In working with over 100 clients, it’s not surprising that I’m well-acquainted with failure as well. A donor event that no one shows up to. An email campaign that raises zero dollars. A year-end direct mail campaign that goes out in January. A fundraising event where no one gives. As much as I want every campaign, event, fundraising activity to be successful, that’s not real life. So how do we grapple with that. This week, I am reading a quote from Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, written around 171 AD.

All that happens, happens right. Notice that Aurelius did nt say, all that happens, happens perfectly. Or, successfully. But, he says “right if you observe narrowly.” We can get stuck in embarrassment or paralysis. We can fear that donors will stop giving to us because of our failure. Instead, a failure can help us have more honest interactions with donors. For instance, ask the donor help us understand the best way to give you the opportunity to donate. Or, a failure can lead to the right conversations with the right donors. For example, a smaller-than-hoped-for event can open up a more in-depth conversation that wouldn’t have been possible if the event was larger. Failures can lead to growth when we have the right attitude, which is the second half of the quote. Let your aim be goodness in every action. We don’t fail in fundraising because we want to fail. But we will fail because failure is a part of life. So, we don’t aim for perfection or status. We aim for goodness. Goodness for the cause that we serve. And, remember, donors don’t give to us. They give to the cause through us.

This work has entered the public domain.

What do you think?

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

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

..."And then with a cry from his soul despairing,He bowed him down to the earth and wept.But a voice cried aloud from the driving rain;“Arise, old man, and plant again!”

This week, I’m reading a poem, Disappointed, written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, published in 1913.

Reflection question:

• Is there an area of your work where you have been disappointment and you need to stop and weep before moving forward?

Reflection on the quote:

This week, something sad happened with a nonprofit in my community. Often, I focus on the positive side of generosity. Yet, with generosity, sometimes there is a pain. It’s a pain that comes from striving for good and giving generously and yet seeing our work swept away.

When we face times of disappointment, it is easy to respond in two ways. To give up and walk away from our work. We may walk away physically, leaving our job or volunteer position. Or, we walk away emotionally, no longer truly engaged in our work. The other way we can respond is to push through and act as though the disappointment didn’t happen. Unfortunately, disappointments build up and we can’t keep pushing without burning out. This poem gives a third way. Acknowledge the disappointment and pain. And then allow your soul to despair and weep. But, then have hope and arise again to your work.

This work has entered the public domain.

What do you think?

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

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

"...Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by the covering,
Cast them away as ugly, or heavy, or hard.
Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor,
Woven of love, by wisdom, with power..."

This week, I’m reading a poem written by Greville MacDonald to his father George MacDonald in 1930.

Reflection question:

When will you take time to pause, wait, and look deeper to glimpse joy, beauty, and living splendor?

Reflection on quote:

In our work, it is easy to become overcome by the immediate needs we face. Unlike for-profit organizations, our goal is to put ourselves out of business by tackling challenges outlined in our mission and vision. Because of this, the immediate needs can lead to burnout and stress. But, if we pause, we can glimpse something else.

Yes, our days are often full of trial, sorrow or duty. Yet, though our work we bring life, meaning, and purpose. And, within that, we can glimpse joy, beauty, and living splendor. As MacDonald writes, could we but see. That seeing takes time. Time for us to pause and waiting and look deeper beneath the covering and the shadows.

This work has entered the public domain.

What do you think?

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

Music credit: Woeisuhmebop