There is no Courage without Fear

What does it take to muster the courage to sing in front of an audience when fear grips you by the throat? Join us as we share a personal story that transforms a paralyzing fear into a triumphant moment, revealing profound parallels to the world of fundraising. We unpack the emotional journey fundraisers undertake, from the sting of rejection to the high stakes of advocating for causes that matter. This is a tale of resilience, emotional intelligence, and the unwavering focus on the mission that keeps fundraisers moving forward.

Shifting gears, we delve into the true essence of courage—not as the absence of fear but as the decision to act despite it. Fundraising isn't just about asking for money; it's about raising hope, possibilities, and futures. We humorously flirt with the idea of a new career in singing "Closing Time" at bars, all while underscoring the messy, imperfect, yet powerful nature of courage. If you're seeking inspiration to stay bold, tackle your fears, and make a meaningful impact, this conversation is your motivational call to action. Tune in, laugh a little, and come away inspired to support the causes close to your heart.

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Chapters

• 1:19 Courage in Fundraising
• 11:45 Finding Courage in Fundraising

Transcript

Speaker 1: 1:20

Hey, there, hi, and welcome back to let's Talk Fundraising. I was recently speaking at a conference alongside some other incredible speakers. I'd just arrived for the presentation before mine and was getting settled in. The speaker was dynamic and engaging and singing their heart out a true performer. They were getting the crowd involved in the songs and we were all singing alongside them. Then I saw them pause, lock eyes with me and everything in my world slowed to a crawl. It was like the world was filled with molasses and we were trying to make our way through. They took a step toward me and I felt my heart pick up the pace. The second step my heart is beating fast. Now I watch the microphone pull away from their mouth. And now I'm fine speaking in front of a large group, but singing A whole different story In my mind alone in the car. I'm probably on par with Taylor Swift. I belt it out, I'm hitting all the high notes. I'm fantastic. But that level of delusional talent has never been witnessed by another living soul.

Speaker 1: 2:26

The last time I sang in public was when I was 21 years old and living in Orlando, florida. I was working at Walt Disney World and one of my best friends was working in entertainment. She invited me out to karaoke with a bunch of her entertainment friends and of course they were all musical theater majors. So they didn't just know how to perform, they all knew how to sing too. And I'm a few drinks in and I had the misguided idea that I could do exactly what they were doing. So I got up and I sang my song and the whole bar goes quiet and what I thought was a pretty normal length song stretched on for millennia and chorus after chorus kept coming back around. I wanted to get off that stage so badly and it felt like I had been up there for a hundred lifetimes and every one was filled with the stress and anxiety of all eyes watching me fail. Finally, 525,600 minutes later, my song was finally over. I slinked back to the table and one of my friend's friends says to me that was so brave of you, and I'm sure it was meant to be supportive, but in that moment it felt like I just had my teeth kicked in. And third step my heart is racing. Fourth step, and they are right in front of me and that microphone is at my mouth. My heart is in my throat. What do I do? The world is moving at a glacial pace, but my brain is firing faster and doing more calculations per microsecond than chat GPT does all day long. Do I slink away and cower in fear? Right before I have to get up and speak to this room of people? I would have lost the audience before I had even started. Do I start singing and totally embarrass myself? And then I remembered this mantra there is no courage without fear. And just like that I started singing. Now did the room of 200 people cheer for me like the crowd of 70,000 at a Taylor Swift concert? Sadly, no. But you know what? I got through it. I survived. I faced my biggest fear of singing in public and I shared this story at the start of my presentation and I think it helped connect me with the people in the room.

Speaker 1: 4:51

But what does all of this have to do with fundraising? Fundraising, I believe, is one of the most courageous professions out there, and I'll tell you why. It requires a blend of vulnerability, resilience and an unwavering belief in the mission you're advocating for. Think about it You're stepping into the often uncomfortable role of asking people to invest their hard-earned money in something beyond themselves. It's not a product they can hold in their hands. It's not a direct benefit to their everyday lives. You're asking them to believe in a vision, to take a leap of faith in the impact your organization can make. That takes guts. What makes fundraising even more courageous is how it demands persistence in the face of rejection. You're not going to hear yes every time you ask. In fact, you'll probably hear no more often than you'd like. But here's where the courage comes in. You have to keep asking, you have to keep showing up, you have to put your heart out there again and again, because the mission is too important to quit. On top of that, fundraisers we often find ourselves advocating for causes that are deeply personal, whether it's health care, education, social justice or another incredible cause. There's an emotional connection and asking for donations means putting that passion and that commitment on display. You're not just asking for money. You're sharing pieces of yourself, hoping others feel that same urgency.

Speaker 1: 6:24

As fundraisers, we also have to navigate the complexities of human emotions and psychology. We're dealing with people's values, their priorities and sometimes even their insecurities. With people's values, their priorities and sometimes even their insecurities, that takes emotional intelligence and the bravery to have honest, sometimes difficult conversations. So it's not just about the dollars. It's about fighting for a cause we believe in, standing tall through the rejections and having the courage to inspire others to be a part of something bigger. It's a courageous profession because it demands a level of vulnerability that not many are willing to embrace, and that's what makes it so impactful.

Speaker 1: 7:04

Fear and anxiety they are real in fundraising, whether it's the fear of rejection, the anxiety of asking for money or the stress of meeting a fundraising goal. But here's the thing Courage isn't about eliminating those feelings. It's about embracing them and moving forward anyway. So how can we, as fundraisers, tap into courage when we're in the thick of fear and anxiety? First, let's shift the focus to the mission. Start by reminding ourselves why we're doing this in the first place. Fundraising is not about us. It's about the impact our organization is making. When we're able to shift our focus from the fear of rejection or judgment to the difference you're helping create, it can give you a sense of purpose and clarity. You're not just asking for money. We're inviting someone to be a part of purpose and clarity. You're not just asking for money. We're inviting someone to be a part of something meaningful. Think of it as offering an opportunity for others to make a positive change.

Speaker 1: 8:03

We also can embrace the small wins. When fear or anxiety creeps in, it can feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. The big picture can feel overwhelming, but courage isn't about taking one giant leap. It's about consistent steps forward. Break down our tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. Celebrate the small wins. Whether it's securing a new donor meeting or even sending a particularly difficult email, each action builds our confidence and pushes the fear further into the background.

Speaker 1: 8:36

We also need to learn how to normalize rejection. Rejection is a part of the process, but it doesn't have to be feared. Instead of viewing rejection as a failure, try to see it as a setback. Every no is one step closer to a yes. I like to think of it as a numbers game the more asks you make, the more likely you are to hit success.

Speaker 1: 8:58

Courage comes from knowing that rejection is inevitable, but not final. We also need to be honest about our feelings. Talk about the anxiety. Sometimes fear grows because we bottle it up, trying to maintain a tough exterior. But when we're able to bring those emotions into the light, whether with your team, a mentor, a peer or even a therapist, it can diffuse the intensity. You don't have to have it all together all the time. Share what you're feeling, and often you'll find that others are experiencing the same thing. Lean on your community for support. You can also reframe the ask as an invitation. We often get anxious because we think we're taking something away from someone when we ask for money, but fundraising is about providing an opportunity. You're inviting people to be part of something bigger, something that aligns with their values.

Speaker 1: 9:50

Courage comes from realizing that you're not burdening anyone. You're offering them the chance to make an impact. Flip that narrative in your mind and the ask feels less daunting. We can also practice self-compassion. Give yourself the permission to not be perfect. I know I wasn't perfect singing in that room.

Speaker 1: 10:11

Fear and anxiety often come from putting too much pressure on ourselves to perform flawlessly. But guess what? You're human. Sometimes you'll stumble, and that's okay. Show yourself grace, learn from each experience and keep going. The courage to be imperfect and still move forward is incredibly powerful, and we can lean into the preparation. One of the best ways to tackle fear is by being prepared. Do your homework before donor meetings, know your pitch inside and out, anticipate questions or objections and practice your responses. When you're confident in the details, it's easier to manage the anxiety because you know you're prepared. Confidence comes with competence. And, lastly, visualize success. Athletes do it all the time. They visualize themselves winning before they even start the race. The same applies to fundraisers. Spend a few. Thank you, courage over time.

Speaker 1: 11:26

Courage doesn't mean you're fearless. It means that, even with the fear, you're choosing to move forward. It's about trusting yourself, the work you're doing and the difference you're making in the world. So when fear and anxiety rear their heads, embrace them as a part of the journey. I want you to carry this thought with you.

Speaker 1: 11:46

Courage doesn't happen in the absence of fear. It happens because of it. Every time you feel that familiar nod of anxiety or that hesitation in your gut, remember why you started this journey in the first place. You're not just raising funds. You're raising hope, possibilities and futures. So when the doubt creeps in, when you're faced with another no or when you find yourself singing off key, literally or figuratively, take a deep breath and step forward anyways. Because that's what courage looks like. It's messy, it's imperfect, but it's also powerful. And while I might not become a karaoke superstar anytime soon, I'm thinking maybe a possibly lucrative side gift singing closing time to help clear out bars at the end of the night. Remember you've got everything you need to keep moving forward. You're not in this alone and the impact you're making is real. Until next time, stay bold, stay courageous and let's keep making a difference, one ask at a time. You've got this.