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An Asker's Checklist

nonprofit fundraising

A daily routine can help us focus and prepare us for whatever the day may bring. Nonprofit fundraisers - I call them askers - are no exception to this rule. No matter the ask, big or small, this daily checklist will align your body, mind, and spirit for asking success and help you maintain an inner creative state.

  1. What are you thankful for?
    It's easier to express gratitude when we cultivate it in and toward ourselves. As nonprofit askers, we know that expressing gratitude is one of the cornerstones of our work.
  2. What about your day are you looking forward to?
    Excitement and positive energy are contagious. Starting your day looking forward to what you do and how you do it will not only help you it will spread to others, making everyone's day a bit brighter.
  3. How do you feel? Did you wake up energized or tired?
    Just observe yourself and note exactly how you feel. This is a no-judgement zone and you're not necessarily looking for ways to improve right now. Simply take a minute to note how you feel without any form of judgment.
  4. What are you working on? Which prospects are you working with?
    It’s easy to get carried away by busy work. With so many distractions and shiny objects all around us vying for our attention, we may end up chasing the wrong goals. Be sure to take stock each day of the work you are doing, making sure it is leading you to your larger, overarching objectives.
  5. How strong is my connection to my organization's mission today?
    It's natural to feel a bit disconnected from our work at times. Taking time each day to feel how connected you are to your organization's mission is always a good thing.
  6. How can I interface with our donor data today?
    Setting aside some time to cruise around your donor management system and update your portfolio will help you better understand the needs of your donors and prospects, leading to deeper connections with them.
  7. What about your recent work makes you feel proud?
    Being proud of your work doesn't mean bragging about your accomplishments. There is a quiet confidence that comes (and can be felt by others) when someone is understatedly proud of their work.
  8. What can you do better today than you did yesterday?
    Quality improvement is not just a department at your organization. Improvement starts with you and your willingness and ability to recognize what you can get better at and charting a plan to improve.
  9. How am I working to improve my communication skills?
    We all have room for improvement when it comes to our communication skills. Take an inventory each day of your communication style - word choice, gestures, intonation, and tone. Are your messages being received in a way that moves you closer to your objectives? Are you attracting or repelling in the way you choose to communicate?
  10. What do I want out of today?
    If we don't know what we want, we won't know when we achieve it. Knowing what we want can lead to a feeling of accomplishment when we get it. Accomplishment feels good. Be sure to determine your objectives for each day.

To make this daily habit exponentially more effective, start an asker's journal and write down your answers each day.

Working your checklist doesn't have to take a long time. The amount of time you devote is not the point. It's the habit(s) you create.

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