![]() Yes, even at this stage of my career, I need help, and lots of it. No shrinking violets, they are not afraid to take the initiative in seeking guidance. My mentees, for instance, have been far more intentional in their career-building efforts than I ever was. I’ve witnessed some pretty impressive moxie from those who are just starting out. While I didn’t have much game when it came to surrounding myself with mentors, I’m encouraged by what I see today. My passivity didn’t necessarily hurt me, but it certainly did nothing to help build my career. That’s not to say I was completely without mentors– many have helped me build my career - but I didn’t strategically assess what I needed, and then actively engage a mentor to help me reach my goals. Early in my career, I lacked the confidence to actively seek advice. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. And have confidence that what you say and do matter. Get out of your comfort zone and push through your hesitation. My advice to my younger self - and to others - would be to put your fear aside and go for it. While rejection is never easy, I eventually became somewhat desensitized to it and didn’t personalize it the way I had in earlier days. As I settled into my career, I learned that a donor’s reasons for not calling me back or declining my request rarely had anything to do with me. My sense is that this hesitation comes from fear of rejection. But habitual procrastination doesn’t lead to long-term success. As development officers, we have mile-long to-do lists and, frankly, it’s easy to put off what we dread. I’ve witnessed this hesitancy in others, as well. I stalled on making introductory phone calls, and sometimes waited far too long to get back to existing supporters. ![]() More troubling was that this overthinking – analysis paralysis – resulted in missed opportunities with donors. I had always been the one to sit in the back row with my hand down, but this behavior was not ideal in a profession that valued personal connections. And this resulted in many missed opportunities: a failure to initiate conversations, trouble networking, and a fear of expressing my opinion in groups. Because of my uncertainty, I hesitated to act. Like many young professionals, I had little confidence in my abilities. It turns out there was a lot I could have told my younger self, but I’ll spare you the litany and highlight just a few observations:īe Bold. It prompted me to reflect on my mistakes, face my regrets, and own up to missed opportunities. This podcast also got me thinking about what life lessons I have learned along the way. One of my favorites was from Brain Trust Philanthropy: “Life and Career Hacks Part 2: What Would I Tell my 20-Year-Old Fundraising Self If I Could Go Back in Time?” The panelists’ advice was relevant to all of us, whether we’re just beginning our careers or have been practicing for decades. It’s also given me ample opportunity to catch up on podcasts. This pandemic has given me time to reflect.
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