When less is more
Greater impact with fewer costs
More meaning with fewer words
Fewer disagreements
Fewer insults
Less anguish and stress
Higher value
More worth
Heightened peace and calm
What can you do more of with less?
Tag: opportunity
In defense of certificates
Certificates, medals, awards, recognition dinners. Necessary? Perhaps not. Here in Nepal, I can get a certificate for donating blood, for giving money, for simply showing up at an event.
A piece of paper is not always meaningful. I could argue that the rate in which certificates are doled out lessens their value. But public appreciation makes everyone feel good. And when people feel good, they do their best.
No, gifts and tokens aren’t essential. But praise and acknowledgement of hard work and generosity of time are absolute necessities.
Top 5 posts (an anniversary special)
In March 2012, I began this blog as a way to encourage empathy, prompt curiosity of others, and push networking conversations into something more meaningful than the pass-out-business-cards-conferences and set up fifteen-minute-coffee-dates situations I kept finding myself in.
Since that time, my writings have brought many interesting people to me. I have been fortunate to share my thoughts and observations with many of you and host private networking dinners in New York. From communications to branding, entrepreneurial adventures and challenges, questions and musings, I am honored by the emails I receive in support of my work.
To celebrate this anniversary, I present my top 5 most popular posts:
4. What brings people together?
1. 12 questions to turn small talk into real talk
As always, thank you for reading and thank you for sharing.
Tips for mindful giving
The holiday season brings wonderful reminders that it is often better to give than to receive. Whether volunteering at a local organization, donating goods, or writing checks to support specific projects, giving feels good.
Maximize your resources while looking for ways to contribute meaningfully within your communities. Small organizations can be overwhelmed this time of year, so ask a few questions to find out how you can best be of service.
What causes are important to me?
With so many fundraisers and worthy social groups, it can be difficult to know where to give. Consider your personal values and the issues you are most passionate about. You may know someone working closely with an organization or can receive referrals from friends.
Who can I connect?
One of the best ways you can support an organization is through your network. Look for ways to draw parallels between your colleagues and the goals of a particular organization. Valuable introductions are like gold.
What work is needed?
Small organizations often need help with administrative tasks — website design, donor management, marketing materials. On the ground opportunities may provide more Instagram-worthy photo ops, but helping staff inside the office may be more valuable to the team.
What goals can I support?
Most organizations have short-term and long-term visions and may need help with a project you’re not fully aware of. Don’t be afraid to ask what objectives you can encourage, regardless of whether results are immediate.
Your thoughtfulness is valuable and so very needed!
What is your sacrifice?
If you don’t have an answer, you don’t love it enough.
If you care, REALLY care about (fill in blank with your: project, partner, job, client), you will sacrifice something. Results don’t come without sacrifice.
You might sacrifice time or quality or money or reputation or fame.
But if you don’t know what you have sacrificed, either you don’t care enough or you aren’t fully aware. And the only way you know if your efforts are worth anything is if you can identify what you have given up and what you have received in return.
Bonus: Read how Nepal has taught me about the sacrifices involved with love.
If it is worth doing, you’ll want to quit
“Should I quit or hang in there?” is a question that will accompany any worthwhile project. If you’re not tested, the work probably isn’t on path towards the success you’re hoping for.
“Never quit something with great long-term potential just because you can’t deal with the stress of the moment.” –Seth Godin, The Dip
You will feel tested. You will be challenged. You will want to quit.
Decide the circumstances that are acceptable to quit and hold yourself to those guidelines. When work becomes hard, great rewards are usually on the other side. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term gain.