The Courage to Launch
Tom Dawkins
Cofounder/Entrepreneur-in-Residence StartSomeGood | Cofounder/Chief Impact Officer LendForGood | Social Entrepreneur, Speaker, Coach, Advocate.
Last week I had a call with a woman who was preparing a campaign for our site. She said something that really struck me. I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
Like so many who use StartSomeGood, this woman had a social mission that was really dear to her, based on her personal experiences, and helping others who are going through the same challenges.
But also like many who use our site she's not a professional fundraiser. She's not an experienced social entrepreneur. She's a member of the community who believes she can make a difference, and is courageously stepping up to try to make her social change idea a reality.
At StartSomeGood, we exist to help people make this leap. We understand just how terrifying this moment can be, when you're about to take this thing that you care so much about, and put it out there into the world, sharing your hopes and dreams and lived experiences with strangers on the internet, and hopefully in so doing, inspiring them with your story, and making them want to become part of your story, to create the impact that you’re seeking.
It is scary! You might fail. People might not get it. They might push back or disrespect your efforts. Or worst of all, they might just ignore you.
But it’s only by taking this risk and pushing through the nay-sayers, by staying true to our story and focusing on building a community who care about our idea, that we succeed in making an impact.
And this has to start with a leap of faith, an act of courage, to put yourself out there.
The thing she said to me was, "Thank you for helping me not run away."
Many people do run away at this moment. No disrespect to them, they’re just not ready. To overcome this moment, to step out into this place of doubt and uncertainty, you need to know you have people on your side, that someone has your back.
That's our goal at StartSomeGood.
One of our values is to be “your ally in social change.”
We take that idea of ally-hood seriously. We know we don't have the answers to the many issues out there, and we believe the best solutions are created by the community affected. Ally-hood is all about respecting people's lived experience, highlighting their voices and stories and empowering them to lead the changes that we need.
Ally-hood means telling people that you're there for them, and you're ready to support them. Not trying to take the limelight from them, but standing behind them, so that they can be courageous in the face of inevitable opposition, and lending your privilege to push their stories, ideas and initiatives to the forefront.
Our mission is to do that for all the entrepreneurs, changemakers, and community leaders on our site, providing not only technical expertise and coaching on fundraising but empathy and encouragement, so they know they have a partner in taking this courageous leap.
If you have a dream to make a difference, let us be your ally.
Together, we can change the world.
Friendly | Focused | Ethical
5 年Tom, clearly in the scenario you describe the role StartSomeGood plays can include functioning as a first follower (see “secrets of dancing guy” on theTube). The value of this is immense. I am curious to hear about any aspects of how you function which facilitate reaching a wider audience. Do users of your platform rely entirely on their own networks or do you help to bring their projects to the attention of enablers outside their normal sphere of influence?
Mental Health ?? ND ?? Lived Experience Peer Support ?? ?? equity ?? inclusion ????? wellness ?? ?? spicy ???? psychosomatic therapist ??
6 年Working together as allys, collaborating and partnering together... we can all achieve more.
Food and Agricultural systems solutions designer specializing in values based resilient supply chains and Investment solutions for Regional infrastructure
6 年Good article Tom, we often over look this simple but really hard decision to just step out and do it. As old Johann Wolfgang Georthe says "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it, begin it now". The whole quote is a cracker.? “Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” cheers Tom
Multi Disciplinary Creative. Content Creator. Social Entrepreneur & Freedom Scrub CEO.
7 年I just had my first article published in new magazine #YMAG , and have just been told it will be gifted to the nominees of the Golden Globes in 2018.I will be able to spread my message to raise global awareness for social impact collaborations thru the power of word and belief, Courage to be the best I can be and a voice for those that cannot speak for themselves . We just need to take the first step and just do it - the rest will follow if ones belief and passion, purpose and Y are strong . Great article Tom Dawkins thank you for the share.