When I was seventeen, our high school soccer team’s uniforms looked like they’d been to war and back. I wanted to do something about it, so I read several books on fundraising for high school organizations. I decided that running a car wash in which we also secured individual sponsorships based on how many cars we washed would leave us with multiple income streams. When I told my dad about my plans, he offered up a different suggestion.
“If you just contacted businesses and asked them to help support your team, I’ll bet you’d get all your money without ever having to wash a car.”
Then my dad did something smart. He didn’t jump in and take over the project for me. He didn’t become a self-appointed fundraising manager. He just offered up a little advice, then stayed quiet and let me decide what I wanted to do.
I listened to him. And three months later, our team was outfitted in new Adidas duds worth nearly $3,000. But the money wasn’t the only thing I got out of that experience.
I learned how to write a compelling pitch letter. I learned how to cold call a business. I learned to think about securing repeat business even though I’d be off to college the following fall. That’s why I gave the businesses that sponsored us large team photos signed by the players to put up in their stores. And I left our coach with a dossier of all the materials and advice necessary for someone else to run it the following year.
I might not have learned any of those things if my dad had tried to do more than just offer advice and encouragement.
Whether you’re managing a fundraiser, running for an election, or directing the production of the school play, remember how much value there is in the learning, regardless of the outcome. Seek advice from people you trust. But don’t let your parents or anyone else do it for you. It’s your job. Don’t let them take it—or the learning that goes with it—from you.