Develop a Mindset of Change
You’ve seen the manager who cannot and will not change. That person who is stuck in a way of doing things – so stuck that reality is passing them by....
3 min read
Richard Perry and Jeff Schreifels : July 28, 2021
Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? Is perfection something you often find yourself striving for?
The pursuit of perfection has a significant impact on many of us. It’s created a culture of standards that are often unattainable. And when we’re living in this space, there’s no room for error, and the stakes are always high.
This is something we often see with fundraisers and leaders we work with in the non-profit sector. When you (or your organization) demand perfection in everything, the donor and the mission often get lost in it all.
So, how does this crop up in non-profits? Here are some things we’ve seen with the people we work with:
These feelings are very common and often fueled by the pressure we put on ourselves or feel from leadership. It can easily feel like there’s a lot at stake with each donor you’re interacting with.
But perfectionism, at its core, is ultimately about control and ego. Every one of us struggles with this. The reality is that all our efforts to be perfect in every communication with our donors – this actually makes it all about us, not about the donor.
Consider how some of the above examples might be perceived by a donor:
So, what can you do to overcome perfectionism and let go of some of the weight of expectation that you’ve been carrying around?
In all of this, remember that the most important thing you can do is connect your donor with the areas of your organization that are most meaningful to them. (Tweet it!) We encourage you to continue your self-work and to let go of the pressure you are putting on yourself. YOU are such a valuable part of your organization, and we can’t wait to hear how you’ll continue to make an impact on the world’s greatest needs.
Karen
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