In a world that can seem driven by the search for perfection we offer a gift this holiday season: the gift of imperfection.
We recently facilitated a workshop and tried out a new exercise. A team member pulled us aside afterwards and shared that we really got people interacting. She said this with a smile and a positive tilt in her voice. We listened to her comments, smiling at each other as this was one of the goals of the workshop. Then she mentioned that she saw that some participants were uncomfortable with the exercise. We stopped smiling and looked at each other in distress. She continued, “You were being you – you’re known as out-of-the-box teachers, and you were out-of-the-box. You know, no matter how great a job you do there are always going to be a diversity of reactions. That’s just the way we are as people.” We stopped holding our breath and relaxed our shoulders. What? We don’t have to be perfect? We don’t have to meet all the expectations of 100 different people, every time? How wonderful to be reminded of our humanity – our human fragility, emotions, and imperfection – especially during a time when artificial intelligence can be confused with human intelligence. What a gift – the wisdom to know that perfection is an elusive, ever-changing measure that often isn’t shared in advance. And what does it mean if anyone of us is labeled as “perfect?” Does perfection make you better person? More valuable? More intelligent? More “in-demand?”
Here are our thoughts on perfection: don’t try to be perfect; perfection is – for the most part – unattainable. We think that about life in general and also about fundraising. Very few organizations can perfectly implement all the best practices in all areas of fundraising. It’s not possible. No one has enough time, staff, talent, resources, and relationships to even try. Think instead about what you can do with what you have. Make a short list of those actions you can take that you believe will help create the most meaningful positive change for your organization or institution. Not a long list, a short list. Consider, perhaps, how you can stretch a bit to increase the circle of people, ideas, and funding you have access to. Do one thing one day. On another day, take the first step towards a more complex action. Maybe your undertaking will yield the results you anticipate. Maybe it will be better than you could have imagined. Maybe it will fall flat or fail to gain traction. No matter what the result, don’t worry. You tried something. We can’t know in advance the results of actions we take… they are contingent upon so many variables, especially when it comes to fundraising.
And that’s the gift of imperfection: you can try new things without knowing the answer or result in advance. You don’t have to beat yourself up if things don’t work out perfectly. You never know, they just may end up being perfect enough. Enjoy this gift and all the gifts of the holiday season.
© Mel and Pearl Shaw, authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” We provide fundraising counsel to higher education, nonprofits, and philanthropy, and specialize in helping clients create their case for support. Video conferencing always available. Visit www.saadandshaw.com.
