Nonprofits leaders and fundraisers — are you stuck and looking for a silver bullet?

Recently, I met with my mastermind of other coaches and entrepreneurs. Interestingly, we were discussing the toll of the pandemic on leaders and decision-makers. It’s been a tough six months. 

No doubt, leaders seem paralyzed and are looking for a silver bullet. 

In my work with clients, I see a common pattern with fundraisers thinking if they download a fundraising plan, buy a course, attend a conference, or hire a consultant, magic will happen. Their problems are solved. 

Needless to say, that’s not true. There are no silver bullets. 

You must do the work.

Silver Bullet in Action

Additionally, here’s the fun part: In writing this blog – this one here — I challenged myself to write a blog in less than an hour. 

I set my timer on my watch and committed to not get up from my chair until my blog was done. 

It was tough. 

In fact, I thought of all kinds of things I needed – a drink of water, a restroom break, to check a response to an email.

But NO, I stayed laser-focused on my one goal – to write this blog. 

It was tough, but it worked.

This is a small example of staying focused, being productive, and getting a job done – completing tasks that need to happen in order to accomplish bigger goals.

Your Silver Bullet

Moreover, next time you need to accomplish a task or goal and you keep putting it off, consider these four steps:

#1 – Identify your most pressing goal or task.

#2 – Let others know of your commitment to the task.

#3 – Determine a time to get it done. That means finding a quiet place with no distractions and committing to staying laser-focused.

#4 – Do it. 

There are no silver bullets. Stop thinking there.

You have to do the work.

Summary

In summary, nonprofit leaders are often pulled in a million directions and have little time to focus. But tasks have to happen to accomplish bigger goals – like asking for money to support your nonprofit. 

Identify your top goals – large and small – and break them into doable — maybe even one hour – chunks. 

There are no silver bullets.

Without question, you are doing great work – changing lives and communities. Your work is important and matters.

Thank you for all you do for your community.

Nancy Rieves, Ed.D. is a fundraising coach. She provides executive and development directors with a roadmap to maximize and sustain major gift fundraising. She prepares leaders to be confident and successful in raising money. Reach her at [email protected].