The thought of talking to people about money is scary. The act of doing so, even more.
It's also scary that I won't be up to the challenge, and that my failure will ruin or take away from a program that is important, even essential, for the health of kids and families.
And so I was interested to see this post on this topic from a great fundraising blogger, Steve Thomas.
Steve makes some great points - procrastination, timidity, risk avoidance and softening our message are very real risks, and things that I see myself engaging in some times.
Of course, fear is not fun - it makes my stomach hurt, my hands shaky and my words come out wrong. It makes me uncertain and causes second-guessing.
At the same time it seems to me that fear is a healthy and normal reaction. At my best moments, I recognize fear as a sign that something is important - that the thing I'm fearful about is something that matters. What makes a difference, and where I see myself get in to trouble, is the way in which fear affects actions.
Perhaps if we can channel that fear - use it to ask for support, find resources, double-check our work and follow our best instincts (in other words, lean in to the fear) - we would all be better at what we do every day. I know I would.
If we stop using fear as an excuse, but instead use it as a motivator, we might all be better at our work - whatever it is we do.
