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Perfect

“Nothing is perfect…

But everything can get better.

There’s never enough time…

But there’s time enough to make a difference.

Someone will always be opposed to the change we seek to make.

And there’s always someone who wants to help.

Anything can happen…

But something will.”

— Seth Godin

Not to belabor the point, but… YOU matter.

Something will happen.

And, everything can get better.

What do you hope to improve?

And will you be an active player in advancing the change you hope to see?

I’m hoping you will be, because the time to repair our world is NOW. One person, one action at a time. Need some ideas to jumpstart your creativity? I’ve collected a bunch of free resources for you that will, hopefully, offer new ideas, perspectives and skills to your toolkit. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your SEPTEMBER TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

Wherever you are, here’s hoping you’re managing to keep cool!

And I don’t mean just physically. As we begin to ramp up for the busiest part of the fundraising year — during a time of unprecedented upheaval — try to let cooler heads prevail. Hopefully, some of the wisdom you find in this newsletter will help you with great ideas to lessen your stress.

This week I’m thinking about how we approach our work. Do we attack with gusto and joy, or sit back with placidity and ennui. Either can seem reasonable or unreasonable, depending how we frame what we’re doing. As Hugh MacLeod writes in the Gaping Void: “The human experience is a binary: We’re either striving for something (a form of de Staël’s “suffering”), or we’re bored. Humans hate being bored.” Striving, or boredom, is your call.

After reading the above, I came upon this complimentary thought from Seth Godin:

Mostly unreasonable

“It’s tempting to go to an extreme. Unreasonable design standards, quality or hospitality are an effective way to gain share, delight customers and spread the word. To be unreasonable in service of your customers is a practice and a commitment.

Along the way, though, reality sets in. The boss has multiple priorities. The uncompromising edges of unreasonable are truly expensive. They take time and effort and money… and they’re unreasonable.

And so, we pull back a bit. We go much of the way, but not quite to ridiculous.

The thing is, rational, compromised unreason has a name: it’s called normal.

If you want the benefits that come from being unreasonable on behalf of your customers, you’re going to have to pay the price as well.

Unreasonable works precisely because most people aren’t driven to go all the way there.”

Sometimes going the extra mile seems unreasonable. Because you’re under-resourced, under-rewarded, and just plain cranky. It seems easier to stick with what’s easy and less trouble. But, in the end, does that really bring ease? Peace of mind? Not if you’re not moving the needle and making progress toward your vision.

I’d love to have you thinking about giving people more than they expect. Especially your donors. It’s long been my philosophy for successful fundraising. If you want gifts, you must give them. Which is why I’ve collected a bunch of little gifts for you that will, hopefully, jumpstart your creativity!  Need new ideas? Skills? Perspectives? They’re all here. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your AUGUST TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

Do you ever find yourself spending seemingly endless time worrying about the state of the world? The future of your organization? Family dynamics? Career prospects? Simply what you’re going to eat for lunch?  The dog days of summer lead to this type of languid reflection. Sometimes it’s useful. But, it can also be enervating.

The inimitable Seth Godin puts it succinctly:

Daydream fatigue

“Spend enough time inventing possible futures in your head and you won’t have any time to build the future we will all share.

Time to get to work.”

Sometimes it’s best to stop overthinking and start doing. Which is why I’ve collected a bunch of resources for you that will, hopefully, get your brain into action mode!  Need new ideas? Skills? Perspectives? They’re all here. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your AUGUST TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

In Ecosystems Come and Go, Seth Godin writes:

“We can lament the end of an ecosystem. After all, we worked hard to get here and we counted on it. We’re comfortable with it and we understand it.

Or, we can accept that ecosystems come and go, and focus our energy on how the next ecosystem gives us a chance to do our work, new work, different work, but work that matters, for people who care.”

The world changes. Constantly. As a result, what used to work well no longer serves us.  It may not exactly be ‘broken,’ but it still needs a ‘fix.’

Which is why I’ve collected lots of resources over the past two weeks – all with the hope you’ll find something to help you adapt to changing times, with attunement, buoyancy and clarity.  Need new ideas? Skills? Perspectives? They’re all here. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your JULY TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

This is a great month to do something you’re proud of. And to support others who are showing their spirit and pride. Actually, every month is good for these things!

Which, as it often does, brings me to share a bit of wisdom from the sage Seth Godin.

Simple five step plan for just about everyone and everything

The number of people you need to ask for permission keeps going down:

Go, make something happen.

Do work you’re proud of.

Treat people with respect.

Make big promises and keep them.

Ship it out the door.

When in doubt, see #1.

— Seth Godin

What do you have to be proud of? Think about this both professionally and personally. Pick one thing your organization did last week or month that made you proud. Pick one thing you did personally that made you proud. I encourage you to think about the proud moments and bask, as much as possible, in the positives. While you’re at it, poke around this issue of the Clairity Click-it and find something that speaks to you. Then… go make something happen!

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your JULY TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time. Get ALL my content delivered direct to your inbox — so you don’t miss a thing!

June 13^th marks the 12^th anniversary of the Clairity Click-it Newsletter.  That’s 338 issues (whoa!), all chock full of resources I hand select for you from across the web. And nothing I select will cost you a dime! I search assiduously, read every single article before sharing with you, and only select trusted resources for webinars, podcasts, e-guides, papers, reports and the like.

How can I afford the time, you wonder? I can’t! Which is why I have some sponsors to help underwrite what is, mostly, a labor of love. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to see who they are, and maybe click on their links to learn more about them.  They’re all terrific resources for you, and definitely worth your attention. I also want to extend a special shout out to my lead sponsor, Bloomerang, for all they do – beyond just their wonderful product — to help nonprofits make lasting change in their communities and the world.

If you’ve been along for the ride for a while, I hope you’ve gleaned some useful nuggets to help you in your work, and maybe even in your personal life. If you’re new, welcome!  I love sharing insights, research and practices from other disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, behavioral economics, mindfulness, for-profit marketing, and more. If you’ve found this newsletter thought-provoking, educational or just plain practical, please forward it to a curious colleague.  They can subscribe here for free.

But why stop here?

ENROLL in ‘Clairification School’ (modest annual charge to cover my costs) and receive access to ALL original articles (including 1,000+ article archive) + exclusive members’ only benefits: bonus content with actionable tips and ‘how-to’s,’ specific monthly tips, access to webinars and podcasts, and generous discounts on products and courses. Get your exclusive member benefits here!

ANNIVERSARY ENROLLMENT SPECIAL:

In honor of this anniversary, anyone who enrolls in Clairification School through the end of this month will receive an additional, meaty (or veggie heavy) BONUS e-guide — “Use Gratitude to Build Relationships that Pave the Way for Future Gifts” — jam-packed with actionable tips.

Thank you for doing your vital work, and making our world a better place,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’d like to receive all my content, and the $100 Clairification School enrollment fee (under $2/day) is a hardship, let me know. No questions asked. No judgement. I want to help. Period.

Once again, I’m inspired by the inimitable Seth Godin.

The biggest thing you bring to the project is forward

Forward motion is an asset, a skill and a job title.

Elevators used to need elevator operators. They didn’t go anywhere unless someone got on and announced they wanted to go somewhere.

Initiative, desire and being willing to take responsibility are powerful because most of us don’t care enough to bring them to the table.

Going forward requires skills, attitudes and belief. A rare combination.

— Seth Godin

Ask yourself: Am I moving forward? Let’s face it. Inertia is a real thing. And it’s deadening. It does no one any good, least of all you. 

Which is why I’ve collected lots of resources over the past two weeks – all with the hope you’ll find something to help you develop the momentum to move forward.  Need new ideas? Skills? Perspectives? They’re all here. Check them out! You’re guaranteed to find something that will shift your thinking.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your JUNE TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

I just can’t stop taking inspiration from the inimitable Seth Godin.

More alternatives, please

There are two ways for an artisan or professional to see the world:

Scarcity. This is the idea that if there were fewer photographers, more people would hire me to do wedding pictures. That if the bar exam were more selective, it would be easier for my firm to get clients. And if everyone would just stop imagining they could be an author/musician/magician/painter, my life would be a lot better. (And AI should be barred from doing what I do.)

Abundance. This is the more resilient and likely idea that when others show up to participate in your craft, it brings energy, insight and activity to the field.

The truth is that books don’t sell very well in the supermarket, where there are no other books. They do better in the bookstore, right next to all the other books.

— Seth Godin

Don’t fight your fellow nonprofits. This isn’t a competition. It’s a cooperation. Working together to build a better world. Where you can collaborate, do so. When you can refer a donor to a colleague, do so. A rising tide raises all boats.

Okay, let’s get in to today’s content. I’ve collected lots of resources over the past two weeks – all with the hope you’ll find something to help you enact your mission. As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise our critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your MAY TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

Powerlessness

Not a lack of power, but feeling as though we have none. Some people have been indoctrinated to prefer a life with no agency, as it also brings no responsibility. At the other extreme, some folks have decided that they have more power than they actually do.

Video games offer people a chance to experience virtual power–an opportunity to feel a lack of powerlessness. Click the mouse, something happens–power is in your grasp. By giving players agency, the games allow users to feel something they might be avoiding in real life.

— Seth Godin

Everyone is on a spectrum. No one has absolute power, and no one is powerless. But our expectation and experience of power is always a choice.

Choosing the attitude of powerlessness is self-defeating as well as self-negating. The fact that the attitude can be chosen is in itself a form of power. We can find control over our attitude and our actions, gaining priceless power as we do.

No one can change everything, but everyone can change something.

If you choose to live a life with impact, it’s in your control to do so.

Okay, let’s get in to today’s content. Among the resources I’ve collected over the past two weeks, I”m hoping you’ll find at least one or two to help you enact your mission. There are some great, actionable tips here. As well as plenty of food for thought.

As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise the critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.P.S. If you’re an enrolled Clairification School student, your MAY TIPS are live.  If you’re not yet enrolled, there’s no better time.

Today I want to remind you that part and parcel of your personal mission, as a philanthropy facilitator, is to bring supporters opportunities for meaning and purpose.

Because when you help increase others’ sense of wellbeing, not only is the world a better place but these folks are more likely to demonstrate gratitude by giving of themselves.

Meaning drives us to act with generosity and resolve.

There is no substitute for this, not even happiness – the pursuit of which is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution). But is that really what it’s all about? If so, the U.S. is failing. Did you know the U.S. dropped out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time ever, dropping from #15 to #23?

“Point is: the good life isn’t about “happiness.” It’s about meaning. Meaning is more resilient. More significant. More enduring. It emerges when we live out our most noble motivations. It’s a process, not a point in time. It’s a never ending game. All we can do is choose to keep playing.

What would happen if we stopped measuring happiness, and started measuring the amount of meaning we experience? And more importantly, if we reoriented our lives, our work, and our organizations toward cultivating more of it?”

— Hugh MacLeod, Gaping Void. Why We’re Measuring the Wrong Thing

Or consider this:

 “For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it.”

–Viktor Frankl

MacLeod argues autonomy, purpose, community, mastery, and connection are far more holistic and effective heuristics than measuring “happiness,” as these have been shown to increase feelings of well-being. I would add these are things philanthropy facilitators should strive for as well, rather than focusing solely on monetary transactions.

If you help people find meaning and purpose, the money will follow.

Okay, let’s get in to today’s content. Hopefully some of the resources I’ve collected over the past two weeks will help you enact your mission. As always, a big thank you to my sponsor, Bloomerang, for making it possible for me to spend the hours of time hunting, gathering and choosing the eclectic resources I believe will best meet the needs of the diverse range of folks who comprise the critically important social benefit sector.

You’ve got this!

Thank you for doing your vital work, with gratitude,

Claire

claire@clairification.com

P.S. Please scroll down to see all my Clairification School sponsors who enable me to offer enrollment in ‘Clairification School at an affordable price [If the enrollment fee is a hardship, please email me and we’ll work it out.]