You Are Results-Oriented
Your entire focus is on the strategy, the solution, and the outcome. You struggle. Just like every tree that struggles to reach the sky. You come from the Try-Harder School. Most of all, the great fundraisers focus on setting high objectives— and reaching them.
Memory Is Monumental
Most of the great fundraisers I interviewed have extremely well organized offices, a clean desk, and work by rigid schedules. There is something else, however. El Dorado is Spanish for, “Place of Riches.” Time is the great fundraiser’s El Dorado. And there’s never enough of it.
The Great Fundraisers Are Charged with Energy
There is vigor and vitality that is undeniable and indefatigable. The great ones seem to be able to endure a staggering workload, hour after joyous hour.Forget everything you learned in high school physics about the definition of “energy.” In fundraising, the definition of energy is, success. Energy breeds success.
Research Is Important
Knowing precisely the proper strategic approach to a major potential donor is not at all a tidy process. The great fundraisers understand that.It takes an intuitive sense and feeling, it takes common sense, and it takes all the research possible.
There Is Never Enough Time. Never!
Even though I don’t know you as well as I would like, I am aware you have a serious problem. It gnaws on you every day. It’s unrelenting.You don’t have enough time.
Wait to Worry
It’s probably the best advice you can follow in life— from both a personal and a professional standpoint. The great fundraisers are concerned about everything in their professional life. The quality of their work. Their relationships with donors and prospects. And meeting high objectives. Concerned, yes! But not worr
You Work Hard
You work hard, think big, listen carefully. Ben Feldman says there are only three things that count in being successful. He should know!There are more than 1600 life insurance companies in America. Ben Feldman, by himself, has written more insurance than a thousand of those companies.
You Are an Innovation-Machine
You are an innovation-machine. An incubator of ideas. A problem solver. A game changer. You understand that you cannot increase the size of the gift without enhancing the planning and the decisiveness of the strategy.Planning, innovation, and implementation are the seeds from which winning takes root and grows.
You Must Stand on Tiptoes
The great fundraisers reach for the stars. Their sights are lofty and soaring. High expectations impel and drive their action. There is the enthusiasm, the inspiration, the passion. But always the drive to achieve high expectations. The joy and exhilaration of the challenge.
Things That Can Be Counted On
Things that can be counted when considering an important decision:
