When did everyone become so serious about fundraising? I mean I kind of get it – we are in a recession, people are worried about their jobs, family, lives… it’s the same for all of us. But when did we stop having fun? When did we stop enjoying what we do?
As always, I should make sure I begin by stating I’m not attempting to colour everyone with the same brush- that would be unfair. And God forbid…
I’m obviously a creative guy. I have fun designing logos, marketing materials, direct mail… I have fun working with colleagues and trying to come up with new ideas that would be cool to pitch to clients, or trying to remember something we did a few years ago that worked like gangbusters… I have fun getting out and meeting new people or chatting via twitter or on the phone… I have fun writing this blog… I try to have fun with what I do.
And then to be faced with clients who just sit there and grunt when I push a new design across the table, or who slurp on a milkshake when I am trying to figure out their needs on the phone… sigh.
I meet or talk to people who seem to have no real passion or fire for what they do or who they are helping… there seems to be so much negativity – ‘oh we can’t do that’ ‘oh our donors wont like this’ ‘oh the e.d. hates red’ ‘oh the board will never approve this budget’… again – big sigh.
Now I’m getting serious – who stole the FUN???
We wake up every day and get to change the world, little by little. That is profound! Someone will live, a child will eat, the crops will grow once more… because of us! Every little bit we play – we are doing good.
Are you hearing me?
Lets – have – FUN! Take joy in what you do.
Hell even I do stuff I hate doing, like admin work, or tiny edits to a coupon – but I pour my heart into the work I do for you and I love what I do and I love the difference I am making. And when we talk, or meet and I present work to you – let’s have some FUN!
Stop being so serious. That kind of attitude will kill you.
Dump the unfun. You mentioned a tweetup? Include the word fun in whatever you call it and ban the unfun from attending
Seriously – I was just thinking about attitude. I try to look at everything and see possibility and opportunity. I’m not always successful, but I think sometimes I succeed solely because: I will it. I see it. I believe it… and I have loads of fun getting there… even when I feel like tearing my hair out!
I love my job. I love my boss (but don’t tell him I said that). I love my charity. I love my life. I’ll be damned if that’s not a good reason to have fun every day.
The best way to lose your job and suck at what you do is to not make it fun for yourself and everyone around you.
haha – I LOVE it Laurie… Love your attitude… Thank you for sharing!
Having been on both sides of the fence, I see where the fun can stop. Some people really don’t have the confidence to buy into “new” “different” “change” leastways not on their watch.
I loved and still do love pushing boundaries, but with that comes risk, If it goes wrong you have to sit in front of the trustees and explain what happened to the faith and money they invested in you. Some people are just way out of their depth. Steady Eddies, with neither the experience or skill to recognise good stuff or go out on a limb to push new concepts.
For many, fun works when the cheques arrive, fun is when the the rewards for the hard work in bear fruit. REAL fun is for the andrenilin rushed risk takers. The “can do’s” who dont get the meaning of “can’t”.
Putting fun back into fundraising calls for the risk takers to step up and take the chances to make their charity different, exciting. They will always be the winners, even if that comes accepting sometimes you lose.
Those with the confidence will..those without it…wont.
The NFP industry is unfortunately overpopulated with those who would love to have fun …but “maybe next year”.
Shame.