I love reading books based on other peoples suggestions. I was recently recommended The Go-Giver, a parable about an ambitious young man called Joe who wants business success more than anything. He is introduced to the enigmatic CEO Pindar who gives Joe some sound advice on some basic principles to be successful business…. and in life.
Pindar helps Joe to shift his focus from getting to giving and teaches him how putting other people first and adding value to their lives leads to unexpected results. It’s a powerful, heart warming and inspiring story; if we all lived by The Go-Givers principles our world would certainly be a friendlier, kinder and more beneficial place to live.
The book teaches five basic principles;
1. Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
2. Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
3. Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.
4. The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.
5. The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.
So what if, as a fundraiser you operated on these principles? What extra difference could you make?
What if you really gave more in value than payment and insured that you genuinely went out of your way so that all your volunteers and supporters felt truly valued just because they are special and not with any expectation of upgrading their support or donation?
What if your income is determined by how many you serve; what are the opportunities in your fundraising to provide more support to more service users, supporters and volunteers?
What if you honestly did place others interests first; became a great listener and gained insights at every opportunity. Are you really placing your donors, supporters and service users at the centre of your work? Really?
You are the most valuable gift that you have to offer. Are you passionate about the cause you fundraise for? You must love what you do, that’s when you will be successful. If right now you don’t love what you do – then make a change and go and do what you love.
Are you open to receiving? You must look out for opportunities, and be open to make them happen, what opportunities are presented to you that you miss because you are too caught up in every day detail to spot?
If you operated to these principles would it make your fundraising more successful? There is only one way to find out. You have to give it a go.
So friends on the web, I’m giving you a gift, The Go-Giver. Soak it up and more importantly go and do something wonderful with it and make a difference. The world rewards those with generosity of spirit.
What’s the worst that can happen?
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