Have You Made Your List?
Have you made a list? Checked it twice? Figured out what’s worth it and what’s not? If you’ve read something from me, met me, or listened to me over the past two years, you’ve heard me say it: life is short. Live in the moment. Well somewhere along the way, that translated into — do […]
Did I lose my edge?
Two years ago I had an accident that nearly killed me, and since then I have noticed myself softer in ways I cannot decide are good or bad. I hesitate where I used to push. I sit with people’s reasoning where I used to dismiss it. I have caught myself wondering — honestly, almost ashamed […]
I Have a Problem.
It’s not easy to admit when you have a problem, harder still is to share it with a broader audience but, here I go. I, like many, have an addictive personality. Whether it is food, or the occasional extra drink, or food (if you’ve seen me, you know my vice) but one that I had […]
Be a Light
Dear Reader, Life is hard and there is no getting around that. Starting in childhood, I had unfortunate experiences that quickly led me to a life of cautiousness and fear. On the outside, of course — a happy-go-lucky kid who rolled right into his teenage years but on the inside, a prisoner of my own […]
Sometimes You Are The Problem
There’s a category of AI tool gaining traction in the fundraising world right now. The pitch: let AI handle your donor outreach to certain audiences. My first reaction was confusion then frustration. “What fundraiser thought this was a good use of AI?” Then I thought “why someone would buy it?” To be fair, this particular […]
Let me tell you about Jason.
On a recent trip to Colorado Springs, my wife and I stayed at our favorite hotel. This was our third time staying there in the past two years and we love it for many reasons but perhaps the most memorable is the valet attendant named Jason. For 14 years he has been the first interaction […]
Be Boring!
This year, my word is consistency and I’m learning that consistency often means making the hard choice to be present, whether that’s closing the laptop when my daughter needs me, or staying focused on strategic priorities when distractions compete for attention. Don’t let the noise in. In fundraising work, we talk a lot about “moves […]
The Moment She Smiled
In January of this year, we found out our daughter would need heart surgery before she was even born.We didn’t know what to think. We have been blessed with incredible doctors and to live in the best city in the world for children’s heart care but still, the fear crept in. The uncertainty. The noise. […]
A Moment of Panic
As the flames grew in the car, the panic inside me set in. That was the day everything changed. Not everyone will face that kind of panic but panic doesn’t always need fire to feel real. Sometimes it’s triggered by fear, by past experiences, or for no clear reason at all. So, when it comes, […]
A Moment of Silence
There are moments we celebrate. Moments we cherish. Moments we wish we could relive again and again. But also, there are the moments we missed. The truth is, most of us don’t lose those moments because of busyness or bad timing. We lose them because of fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of […]