Fundraise Like an Olympian
Ann C. Fitzgerald, President
Olympic athletes are tough. Physically, yes. But mentally, too.
Patrick Cohn of Peak Performance Sports writes here about the mindset of retired Norwegian athlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. The most decorated Winter Olympian with 13 medals, Bjoerndalen was the oldest champion at Sochi.
In addition to serious conditioning, he worked with a trainer earlier in his career to develop the necessary mental skills to think like a champion.
Here are some attributes of an Olympic mindset that we can use to be Olympic fundraisers:
- Preparation: Commit to top performance by planning your goals for the week and your work each day. What are the three most important actions you can accomplish this week that will impact your fundraising goals?
- Perseverance: Athletes fall. A lot. They also lose a lot. But they keep a positive attitude. Don’t be discouraged by one bad phone call or one lost grant. Know that success is within your reach if you have a compelling mission and strong programs.
- Passion: Olympians pursue the gold with a single-minded focus. Find your passion in fundraising and try to eliminate or minimize distractions.
- Performing: Don’t mistake motion for movement. Keep the momentum going on your fundraising programs, and be flexible enough to change course if necessary.
Ann C. Fitzgerald is Founder and President of AC Fitzgerald, using her decades of experience in fundraising, management, leadership, and sales to help nonprofits build their capacity and achieve success. She is a sought-after speaker, writer, and advisor.