Today’s question comes from Sasha. Sasha got into fundraising because she wanted to change the world. But lately she’s been feeling discouraged and unhappy at work. Her question is this:
How can I get my passion back and can you help me put the fun back in fundraising?
Great question, Sasha! Thank you for being brave enough to ask such a tough and important question.
Share it with others — Today’s Tweetable:
Expect the best in #fundraising, instead of assuming the worst! @amyeisenstein
Video Transcript
It’s actually a sentiment I hear a lot — maybe not in those exact words, but is certainly a recurring theme in nonprofits I work with. So much so, that I started to ask myself what was happening, and started to do some research on the subject.
As a result, I developed a keynote speech called “Happiness, Habits, and Major Gifts Fundraising: Strategies to Help You Survive and Thrive.”
(I realize that we’re straying away from this year’s focus on board members, but I thought this was a really important question to answer and I love the topic, so here goes.)
Happiness is Linked to Productivity
In my research on the subject, I found that study after study shows that happiness is linked to productivity. Which tells us that if you’re not has happy as you could be, you’re probably not as productive as you could be.
The good news for us is that a study called the Happiness at Work Survey showed that people who work in caregiving or direct service are 75% more likely to be happy. That includes lots of people in the nonprofit sector.
Of course, as fundraisers, we’re not always on the front lines. But I figure we’re pretty close, which has got to be good for our souls.
The survey also found people who were happy were 31% more productive, and three times more creative!
But What if You’re Unhappy at Work?
But, what can you do if you’re unhappy at work, like Sasha is?
Well, I’m a true believer in the power of positive thinking. If you think you can, you can.
Henry Ford said it best when he said:
Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right!
And, In the great words of Peter Pan: Think Happy Thoughts!
The fact is that if you change your beliefs, you will change your outcomes.
However, let me reassure you, this isn’t a case of “wishful thinking.” So how does it work?
Change your Beliefs to Change your Actions
When you change your beliefs, you change your actions to support those beliefs.
Let me say that again: Once you change the belief, you’ll change your actions to support that belief.
(Watch the video above for two quick stories — one of Debbie, a great fundraiser, and one of Kelly, who is not such a great fundraiser. Watch the video to see what makes them different.)
What if you expect the best (like Debbie) instead of assume the worst (like Kelly)? Then how would you act?
Now, I realize that you may have an incompetent boss, or an unhelpful board, which can be frustrating, but I’ve seen people overcome these challenges.
Happy People Tend to Give More
Another reason to “Think Happy Thoughts” or think positively is that happy people give more to charity.
A working paper produced at Harvard Business School called Feeling Good About Giving, showed that Happier people give more… and giving makes people happier, which means that happiness and giving generate a positive happiness cycle.
Incredible!
The more you give, the happier you are, and the happier you are, the more you give. How awesome is that? And doesn’t it make sense that happy people would want to be around other happy people?
So if you’re happy, it’s more likely that your donors will want to be around you – which is important for fundraising.
Bottom Line…
If you think happy thoughts, AND act on those thoughts – you can do anything you set your mind to.
So, Sasha, I hope that answers your question and helps put the fun and passion back into your fundraising!
How about you? Have you had trouble finding happiness while working in the nonprofit sector? Tell me about your struggle in the comments.
Thank you Amy! You always have an answer that makes sense and is achievable. While some *experts* try to impress us with trendy lingo and complicated advice, you have the ability to break down big issues into simple steps…and, you always back it up with research. Your generosity in sharing knowledge is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Lisa! I’m so glad this spoke to you.
I agree 100% with the power of positive thinking and a “can do” attitude. However, there is a real concern in the field about the high turnover rate of nonprofit staff, directors and fundraisers. There is always “a need” to address and the higher and higher fundraising goals set to keep a nonprofit growing and meeting the demands of its cause. How can we help each other as nonprofit professionals and volunteers stay positive, successful and motivated to continue the important work we do? I am certain that there are wonderful examples of long time professionals leading the way and helping to empower others to continue the important work we do – perhaps hearing their stories can help all of us.
Hi Cindy,
You’re so right! This is a 5 minute segment I selected from a 1 hour speech – and I go into depth about several of these issues in the full version. I’ll be giving the full speech in several cities around the country this year, so I hope you get a chance to hear it! If you’re not already on my mailing list, please consider signing up, so you are notified about when I’ll be in your area. Or, consider bringing me to a conference near you!
Best,
Amy
Thank you for your video today on happiness. I needed it today and appreciate the encouragement.
Appreciate your video today. We are feeling the stress of so many demands on our limited staff and budget. So, a focus on happiness was good today.
Thanks so much, Amy. I really, really needed to hear this today!
I so agree with you on having a positive mental attitude for success!! I’ve been in front-line fundraising for about a year now and I can say that I produce better results when I’m “on” and keep self-doubt away. I have bad moments, but in those moments I realize it’s ok not to have control over how things will turn out (whether a donor will give or not), but it’s my positive actions that will yield something. So I keep moving forward and onward!
Janine,
That’s exactly right! You can’t control things that are out of your control, but you can do your best to be happy and positive, so more things go your way, and the ones that don’t, roll right off your back! Keep on keeping on!
Amy