Learning more about the "self" through crowd-funding.
It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t take the time to self-reflect on our first and successful crowd funding attempt. It’s one of those things that become second nature to me after doing the 9-5 ok 60+ hour daily work grind to backpacking around the world in 2012.
We were successful. We raised $78,501 of our $75,000 goal. Check the campaign here. http://igg.me/at/phroogal
Crowd-funding is a relatively new arena to fund a project. I decided early this year that I wanted to take on this challenge. My co-founder, Max, made it a reality taking on the leading role. First thing first about crowd-funding is to do your research. I’ll eventually write more about what I learned on how to run a successful campaign. But, today, I’m going to share the human side.
If I learned a few things during the past 30 days are these:
1) Stay motivated. No matter how difficult the goal might be keep working your best to get there and know that there are people that will help you along the way. You just have to ask.
2) Stay positive. There will always be people who are negative forces in your life. Just know every time you encounter one, they come at the right time to give you that extra fuel to get closer to your goal. They are not bad people. Just focus on the supportive positive ones.
3) Stay grateful. Many were loud champions for our success. Many others silently cheered us on. I am forever grateful. It’s these people that you want to keep close in your circle.
4) Stay present. Moments go by so quickly. It’s so easy to get bogged down with “tasks and todos.” Take the time to say hello, to respond to that email, message and phone call. It really does matter.
5) Stay open. Strangers do not make time for you because they do not know you or want to know you. People you know do not make time for you because you aren’t a factor in their existence. Keep in mind that the best way to to be supportive of someone is by acknowledging and being aware of them.
Finally, just really believe in yourself and do whatever you can to make it happen. It’s not impossible, difficult yes, but the best way forward is taking the first step.