Just about every day, I’m in the presence of a major gift officer or I’m talking to one on the phone. Because of that, I feel the pulse of what is going on with MGOs most of the time.
Right now, I think you are probably pretty stressed. Like everyone in fundraising, a large percentage of your overall revenue is donated in these next six or seven weeks.
There are a number of things going on:

1. You’re concerned about donors who are “behind” in their giving, and you’re wondering if they are going to meet the goals you have for them.
2. You are expecting a number of donors in your caseload to give between now and the end of the year, and you’re worried about that.
3. Your boss is also worried, and when your boss gets stressed out, she passes on that stress in sometimes very unhealthy ways – and you have to deal with that.
4. You have a lot of meetings with donors, events to attend, thank you notes to write, etc. In short, the level of activity from work is tremendous, coupled with your own personal life and what the holidays usually entail.

All of this is a lot to carry.
So my question to you is this: During times of high-level stress, do you still feel a sense of joy in what you are doing?
Your answer is critical.
Right now, I’m hearing answers from two different camps. One camp, while stressed out and concerned, tells me “YES” – even though it’s difficult right now, they are able to pause, reflect and sense the joy this profession brings them every day. The other group of major gift officers I’ve been talking to are stressed and questioning whether or not they can keep going.
I want to tell you that both are valid ways to feel. There is no wrong answer. However, it’s your awareness of the presence (or absence) of joy that is critical.
If you want to be a major gift officer for many years, you have to experience joy in what you do, no matter how tough your job gets. I would say that about most professions, but especially as a major gift officer, if you don’t have that joy in what you are doing every day, you will not be effective with donors and you will wither on the vine, personally.
You can’t be withered and dried up if you’re going to be a great MGO. You have to be juicy… even in great times of stress.
Now, if you don’t feel the joy, it’s okay. In fact, that is your indicator that either you are in the wrong place as an MGO, or being an MGO is not for you. The question is, do you have the ability to see it and to take action on it? Or will fear grab hold of you and cause you to stay in a position that is literally sucking the life out of you?
Choose joy. You will be happier, more fulfilled and just feeling better if you choose that path.
Jeff