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Tag: work

Get to know someone today

Pick up the phone and ask someone to meet you for lunch. Invite someone you’d like to learn from, someone you could get to know a little better.

Choose four questions to bring along with you:

  • What advice would you have given yourself five years ago?
  • Favorite aspect of your work?
  • Most challenging part of your job?
  • You can pick one person to have coffee with. Who would it be?
  • Where do you go for inspiration?
  • What do you do to recharge?
  • Last meaningful book you read?
  • If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?
  • If you were gifted one million dollars, what would you do?

Tomorrow, send a thank you email with two things you learned.

Good morning

Now get to work.

Real work.
It’s a new day. Yesterday’s failures aren’t so important. Tomorrow is still sleeping.

WAKE UP.

Work that matters isn’t going to come to you.
They may never call.
Your project might not be accepted.
He isn’t going to change his mind.
Make a list of what you want to accomplish — the things that really, truly matter. Outline the steps you need to take to move closer to those dreams, no matter how small. Focus on what you can control.
It’s going to be a great day.

Nepal

While fundraising for the Discover Outdoors Foundation, I learned Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. One quarter of its people live on less than $1 a day and barely half of them are literate. After some research and plenty of emails, I found a local agency that places volunteers in projects across the country. My bags are filled with crayons, games and animal balloons, and I’m teaching English to kids before trekking to Everest’s Base Camp.

You won’t see quite as many posts in the upcoming weeks. In fact, as you’re reading this, I’m on one of several flights leading me to the Himalayas.

I feel incredibly blessed to have the freedom to connect and converse and discover and explore with people around the world. And I’m filled with a deep sense of gratitude for the confidence that comes with the support, love, and backing of so many. This journey has been magnified by the monumental encouragement I have received from friends, colleagues, clients, and strangers. It’s an incredible gift to do work you love, from anywhere.

I’ve debated whether or not to post while I’m away. I’ve toyed with the paranoia of disconnecting for an extended period of time. “But the momentum…but the readers…but…but…” I’ve considered the risks that come with automated content, as I’ve witnessed scheduled generalities firsthand during Hurricane Sandy. I remember sitting in a trembling NYC apartment, listening to water slosh around in the toilet bowl, and reading tweets advertising “10 creative ways to green your kitchen.” There’s a sensitivity and presence that is oh-so-irreplaceable, and fresh and timely cannot be undervalued.

I’m not quite sure what my access will be while I’m away, but I know I want to be present to my experience and not worried about technical malfunctions, open rates, or traffic. Absence alone can be lighter fuel for ideas, dreams, creation.

That said, you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be blogging the “ole’ fashioned way” while I’m traveling — via journal and pen. You’ll find a few posts in your inbox (if you’ve signed up to receive them), but with less regularity. And if the mood strikes, I’ll pop into an internet cafe and post a few thoughts.

Count on a treasure trove of goodies upon my return. Project Exponential has some incredible, very exciting changes in the works, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

Until then, go find adventure, plan a few dinner partiers, put yourself on a weekend sabbatical, and become an explorer in your own neighborhood. Your community needs it. You need it.

95% of the battle is showing up

Some days you won’t be great. You’ll feel less than your best, you’ll deliver a “B” performance, perhaps even a solid “C.” Your “C” may be someone else’s “A” — maybe not.

Maybe no one notices you’re not your best. Instead, they see you there, present, ready for the job, sitting in the chair, showing up for work.

Statistics begin to lean in your favor. The more ticks you make by simply showing up, the less one day’s performance can disrupt your overall grade. And that’s where the job begins: showing up, day in and day out; giving your all when your “all” can sometimes vary.

True value lies in your persistence, your reliability, your dogged determination to be there, regardless of circumstance.

My top 6 fundraising tips

When I signed up to raise $9,000 for the Discover Outdoors Foundation, I figured it was going to be work, but I didn’t realize how much. Fundraising is hard. Really, really hard. And it takes more time and effort than you think. A few things I learned:

1. This will be a focused commitment.

You’re fooling yourself if you think people will simply hand over money. They will, but it’s because they love you and/or believe in YOU. You’re going to need all of them — and more — to champion your cause.
Your goal will not happen by itself. Set realistic expectations regarding what you and your team are capable of. It helps to set deadlines with an actionable timeline to make sure you’re on track. Think of it as a battle strategy. You don’t go to war without considering what makes sense first.

2. You have to have tough skin.

You will hear “no.”
When you do, you can let it sting, but you can’t let it stop you. You have to get over rejection.
Most of the time, you will hear nothing. You may need to ask once, twice, three times before someone is receptive to your message. People are busy. Your email may not be on their priority list. They may read your email and think it’s not for them (really). Yes, there is a fine line between sending too many emails and not enough, but you can’t be afraid to find it.
One surprising thing I discovered: some people are jealous. It’s weird, but when you’re doing a good thing and feel energetic and are helping others, there are people who are reminded of what they are not doing and what their life isn’t. Ignore them.
You will find a small group of people who want to see you succeed. They will champion your cause, be your biggest fans. You will need them; they will become your lifeblood. In the moments you want to quit, get carried away by their enthusiasm.

3. Get creative.

The majority of people won’t care. These are the folks you have to work to convert. In order to do so, you can’t say the same thing over and over. You have to mix it up, tell a new story, highlight a new angle, emphasize progress. Keep newsflashes relevant and share updates on not only your fundraising efforts but also the cause you’re supporting.
Research and use the tool that works best for you (Causes, Indiegogo, Kickstarter, Crowdrise). Your social media channels can amplify your efforts, but don’t restrict your creativity to one particular platform. Take it offline through events: happy hours, bake-offs, MYO pizza parties, lawn mowing services…

4. Get personal.

You can’t be afraid to bring your own story into the equation. What is your relationship to the project? Why are you committed? By sharing your enthusiasm, folks will better be able to relate to your efforts and will want to support you in your work. And every new person you meet? Tell them about your project. Mention your fundraising when asked about your work. People feel more inclined to support excitement and passion they witness firsthand.
Your personal story is a good part of what draws in a potential donor. Think of yourself as a magnet.

5. It is not possible to say thank you enough.

People are going out of their way to listen to your message, learn about your cause, and ultimately, choose to back your work. This is not a little thing and deserves much recognition.
Thank each and every individual for their support as many ways as you can (once is probably not enough). Gratitude will keep the momentum behind your project strong. When someone feels recognized and cherished, they will feel more inclined to share your cause with their networks.

6. Build a team.

If you do it right, fundraising is an opportunity to build community, not just raise money. People want to feel part of something. They want to feel connected to you and your success. Involve them throughout the journey and make sure they feel part of the ride. When you win, you win as a team. Go get ’em!