There is no Courage without Fear

They were getting the crowd involved in the songs and we were all singing alongside them . Then I saw them pause , lock eyes with me and everything in my world slowed to a crawl . It was like the world was filled with molasses and we were trying to make our way through . They took a step toward me and I felt my heart pick up the pace .

The second step my heart is beating fast . Now I watch the microphone pull away from their mouth . And now I'm fine speaking in front of a large group , but singing A whole different story In my mind alone in the car . I'm probably on par with Taylor Swift . I belt it out , I'm hitting all the high notes . I'm fantastic .

But that level of delusional talent has never been witnessed by another living soul . The last time I sang in public was when I was 21 years old and living in Orlando , florida . I was working at Walt Disney World and one of my best friends was working in entertainment . She invited me out to karaoke with a bunch

of her entertainment friends and of course they were all musical theater majors . So they didn't just know how to perform , they all knew how to sing too . And I'm a few drinks in and I had the misguided idea that I could do exactly what they were doing .

So I got up and I sang my song and the whole bar goes quiet and what I thought was a pretty normal length song stretched on for millennia and chorus after chorus kept coming back around .

I wanted to get off that stage so badly and it felt like I had been up there for a hundred lifetimes and every one was filled with the stress and anxiety of all eyes watching me fail . Finally , 525,600 minutes later , my song was finally over .

I slinked back to the table and one of my friend's friends says to me that was so brave of you , and I'm sure it was meant to be supportive , but in that moment it felt like I just had my teeth kicked in . And third step my heart is racing . Fourth step , and they are right in front of me and that microphone is at my mouth .

My heart is in my throat . What do I do ? The world is moving at a glacial pace , but my brain is firing faster and doing more calculations per microsecond than chat GPT does all day long . Do I slink away and cower in fear ? Right before I have to get up and speak to this room of people ? I would have lost the audience before I had even started .

Do I start singing and totally embarrass myself ? And then I remembered this mantra there is no courage without fear . And just like that I started singing . Now did the room of 200 people cheer for me like the crowd of 70,000 at a Taylor Swift concert ? Sadly , no . But you know what ? I got through it . I survived .

I faced my biggest fear of singing in public and I shared this story at the start of my presentation and I think it helped connect me with the people in the room . But what does all of this have to do with fundraising ? Fundraising , I believe , is one of the most courageous professions out there , and I'll tell you why .

It requires a blend of vulnerability , resilience and an unwavering belief in the mission you're advocating for . Think about it You're stepping into the often uncomfortable role of asking people to invest their hard-earned money in something beyond themselves . It's not a product they can hold in their hands . It's not a direct benefit to their everyday lives .

You're asking them to believe in a vision , to take a leap of faith in the impact your organization can make . That takes guts . What makes fundraising even more courageous is how it demands persistence in the face of rejection . You're not going to hear yes every time you ask . In fact , you'll probably hear no more often than you'd like .

But here's where the courage comes in . You have to keep asking , you have to keep showing up , you have to put your heart out there again and again , because the mission is too important to quit .

On top of that , fundraisers we often find ourselves advocating for causes that are deeply personal , whether it's health care , education , social justice or another incredible cause . There's an emotional connection and asking for donations means putting that passion and that commitment on display . You're not just asking for money .

You're sharing pieces of yourself , hoping others feel that same urgency . As fundraisers , we also have to navigate the complexities of human emotions and psychology . We're dealing with people's values , their priorities and sometimes even their insecurities .

With people's values , their priorities and sometimes even their insecurities , that takes emotional intelligence and the bravery to have honest , sometimes difficult conversations . So it's not just about the dollars . It's about fighting for a cause we believe in , standing tall through the rejections and having the courage to inspire others to be a part of something bigger .

It's a courageous profession because it demands a level of vulnerability that not many are willing to embrace , and that's what makes it so impactful . Fear and anxiety they are real in fundraising , whether it's the fear of rejection , the anxiety of asking for money or the stress of meeting a fundraising goal .

But here's the thing Courage isn't about eliminating those feelings . It's about embracing them and moving forward anyway . So how can we , as fundraisers , tap into courage when we're in the thick of fear and anxiety ? First , let's shift the focus to the mission . Start by reminding ourselves why we're doing this in the first place . Fundraising is not about us .

It's about the impact our organization is making . When we're able to shift our focus from the fear of rejection or judgment to the difference you're helping create , it can give you a sense of purpose and clarity . You're not just asking for money . We're inviting someone to be a part of purpose and clarity . You're not just asking for money .

We're inviting someone to be a part of something meaningful . Think of it as offering an opportunity for others to make a positive change . We also can embrace the small wins . When fear or anxiety creeps in , it can feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders . The big picture can feel overwhelming , but courage isn't about taking one giant leap .

It's about consistent steps forward . Break down our tasks into smaller , manageable pieces . Celebrate the small wins . Whether it's securing a new donor meeting or even sending a particularly difficult email , each action builds our confidence and pushes the fear further into the background . We also need to learn how to normalize rejection .

Rejection is a part of the process , but it doesn't have to be feared . Instead of viewing rejection as a failure , try to see it as a setback . Every no is one step closer to a yes . I like to think of it as a numbers game the more asks you make , the more likely you are to hit success .

Courage comes from knowing that rejection is inevitable , but not final . We also need to be honest about our feelings . Talk about the anxiety . Sometimes fear grows because we bottle it up , trying to maintain a tough exterior .

But when we're able to bring those emotions into the light , whether with your team , a mentor , a peer or even a therapist , it can diffuse the intensity . You don't have to have it all together all the time . Share what you're feeling , and often you'll find that others are experiencing the same thing . Lean on your community for support .

You can also reframe the ask as an invitation . We often get anxious because we think we're taking something away from someone when we ask for money , but fundraising is about providing an opportunity . You're inviting people to be part of something bigger , something that aligns with their values . Courage comes from realizing that you're not burdening anyone .

You're offering them the chance to make an impact . Flip that narrative in your mind and the ask feels less daunting . We can also practice self-compassion . Give yourself the permission to not be perfect . I know I wasn't perfect singing in that room . Fear and anxiety often come from putting too much pressure on ourselves to perform flawlessly . But guess what ?

You're human . Sometimes you'll stumble , and that's okay . Show yourself grace , learn from each experience and keep going . The courage to be imperfect and still move forward is incredibly powerful , and we can lean into the preparation . One of the best ways to tackle fear is by being prepared .

Do your homework before donor meetings , know your pitch inside and out , anticipate questions or objections and practice your responses . When you're confident in the details , it's easier to manage the anxiety because you know you're prepared . Confidence comes with competence . And , lastly , visualize success . Athletes do it all the time .

They visualize themselves winning before they even start the race . The same applies to fundraisers . Spend a few . Thank you , courage over time . Courage doesn't mean you're fearless . It means that , even with the fear , you're choosing to move forward . It's about trusting yourself , the work you're doing and the difference you're making in the world .

So when fear and anxiety rear their heads , embrace them as a part of the journey . I want you to carry this thought with you . Courage doesn't happen in the absence of fear . It happens because of it . Every time you feel that familiar nod of anxiety or that hesitation in your gut , remember why you started this journey in the first place .

You're not just raising funds . You're raising hope , possibilities and futures . So when the doubt creeps in , when you're faced with another no or when you find yourself singing off key , literally or figuratively , take a deep breath and step forward anyways . Because that's what courage looks like . It's messy , it's imperfect , but it's also powerful .

And while I might not become a karaoke superstar anytime soon , I'm thinking maybe a possibly lucrative side gift singing closing time to help clear out bars at the end of the night . Remember you've got everything you need to keep moving forward . You're not in this alone and the impact you're making is real .

Until next time , stay bold , stay courageous and let's keep making a difference , one ask at a time . You've got this .