Exercise at Work? Walking Your Way to Raising Major Gifts

Last week, my partner at Capital Campaign Pro, Andrea Kihlstedt, and I went to Maine on a planning retreat. We walked, thought, and talked our way to a breakthrough. The change of scenery and change of pace got us out of our “heads” and out of our routine, and therefore allowed the ideas to flow.

Sometimes sitting at your desk can be unproductive. Your mind races with all the things you need to get done. You might be busy, but you’re not necessarily being productive.

Work Smarter, Not Harder… and Exercise!

Pareto’s principal teaches us that 20 percent of our effort, yields 80 percent of results. Conversely, we spend 80 percent of our time working on things that only generates 20 percent of the yield. Putting off some of the busy work to focus on the big picture might be exactly what is necessary to catapult your fundraising results.

Walking, thinking, planning, and being strategic can help stimulate the productive 20 percent of your time and effort AND help yield even more than 80 of your results.

There never seems to be enough time anyway, so why not slow down and see if you can work smarter, not harder, and get in a little exercise to boot?

6 Tips for Walking Your Way to Raising Major Gifts

Taking a walk is wonderful exercise. It’s low-impact and provides a great way to get aerobic activity, improve your heart health, and burn calories. The following six tips offer some inspiration and guidance for how you can raise major gifts whenever you go for a walk.

1. Invite donors

Instead of the same old, same old boring coffee meeting, why not invite donors to take a walk? Walk together around their neighborhood or at a local park.

2. Call donors

No need to sit at your desk to make donor calls. Either schedule time with donors in advance or make impromptu calls (you’ll probably leave a lot of messages).

3. Listen to an inspirational podcast or audio book

Walking is the perfect time to listen to a podcast or “read a book” (via an audio book). I get so much inspiration, new ideas, motivation, and relaxation from books and podcasts. They help me be a better fundraiser and a better person.

4. Take in the scenery

Walks don’t always need to do double duty. Sometimes it’s enough to take a walk to clear your head, get some exercise, and notice what’s around you. We spend so much time multi-tasking; it’s important simply to notice the clouds in the sky, birds chirping, and plants around you.

5. Meet with your boss

Do you always meet with your boss in the same place, in the same chairs, drinking the same coffee? Suggest getting out of the office instead. Start with a simple walk in the neighborhood or even driving to the closest park. Take notes on your phone or as soon as you return so you remember your ideas and follow-up tasks.

6. Networking opportunity

Call someone from your local AFP chapter or neighborhood association and ask them to go on a walk! What better way to get to know colleagues or potential donors and business connections?

Donor Conversations While Walking

Walking, rather than meeting in an office or coffee shop, will naturally lead to different types of conversations. As with any donor meeting, try to come up with at least three questions in advance to get the conversation going. Here are a few examples:

• What do you do in your downtime and for relaxation?
• What’s the most meaningful volunteer work you’ve done and why?
• What would inspire or motivate you to get more involved?
• What do you consider the top priorities in your life?
• What are you reading or listening to / watching?

Plan At Least 3 Walks Per Week — at Work!

Wouldn’t it be great if you could exercise while you work? Think of how amazing that would be for your body and your mind. Rather than being lethargic, you would be creating more energy. When you do sit down at your desk, you will feel fresh and ready to go.

What other opportunities can you think of to build exercise and walking into your fundraising work routine? Let me know in the comments below.