CLASSIC REWIND: Release Resistance and Raise More Money
What if the biggest thing standing between you and the results you want isn't your fundraising strategy?
What if it's resistance?
Resistance shows up in ways we don't always recognize. It looks like worrying about outcomes, trying to control every detail, overworking, people-pleasing, or believing you have to carry the weight of the entire organization on your shoulders.
As nonprofit leaders, we often think that working harder is the answer.
But what if receiving more starts with resisting less?
In this episode of The Influential Nonprofit, I explore what resistance really looks like, why it keeps us stuck, and how becoming more receptive can transform not only your fundraising but your leadership, relationships, and overall sense of peace.
What Does It Mean to Be in Resistance?
Resistance isn't simply feeling stressed.
It's the emotional and mental tension we create when we become attached to controlling outcomes we can't fully control.
That attachment often sounds like:
"I have to hit this fundraising goal."
"I need this donor to say yes."
"I can't let my team see me struggle."
"If this grant doesn't come through, everything falls apart."
The more tightly we hold onto a specific outcome, the harder it becomes to lead with confidence.
Ironically, people can feel that pressure.
As I often say:
Energy speaks louder than words.
When your energy is rooted in fear or desperation, donors, board members, and even your staff unconsciously respond to it.
Why Resistance Keeps Nonprofit Leaders Stuck
Resistance isn't always obvious.
Sometimes it looks productive.
You might find yourself constantly fixing other people's problems, overcommitting your schedule, saying yes to everything, or pushing through exhaustion because slowing down feels uncomfortable.
Resistance can also appear as:
Overattachment to specific outcomes
Trying to control other people's reactions
Chronic stress or overworking
Avoiding joy because you feel guilty
Feeling responsible for everyone else's emotions
Many nonprofit leaders believe these behaviors demonstrate commitment.
In reality, they often create burnout.
When we're constantly trying to control everything around us, we leave very little space to receive support, opportunities, or unexpected possibilities.
The Difference Between Resistance and Receptivity
Receptivity isn't passive.
It isn't about sitting back and hoping everything works out.
It's about staying grounded while remaining open to possibility.
Imagine two different images.
One is a person being thrown through white-water rapids, desperately trying to grab onto every rock.
The other is a reed growing beside the river—firmly rooted, flexible, and able to bend without breaking.
That's receptivity.
You're anchored in your values but flexible enough to navigate uncertainty.
For nonprofit leaders, that's a powerful place to lead from.
Why Joy Is a Leadership Strategy
One of the ideas I care about most is that joy isn't a distraction from your work.
It's part of your work.
Too often, nonprofit professionals postpone joy until after the fundraising campaign succeeds.
After the grant is awarded.
After the board meeting.
After the crisis passes.
But what if joy actually fuels your effectiveness?
When you engage in activities that genuinely energize you—whether that's dancing, gardening, hiking, karaoke, painting, or spending time with people you love—you reconnect with your creativity, resilience, and purpose.
Joy creates openness.
And openness creates receptivity.
Six Ways to Become More Receptive
Developing a receptive mindset is a practice, not a one-time decision.
Here are six ways to begin:
Identify where you're resisting and what you're afraid of losing.
Replace limiting stories with more empowering beliefs.
Practice surrender instead of trying to control every outcome.
Build a daily habit of gratitude.
Make time for genuine joy and creative expression.
Take inspired action instead of fear-based action.
None of these require perfection.
They simply require intention.
Why Gratitude Changes Your Leadership
Gratitude isn't about pretending everything is perfect.
It's about training your brain to notice what's already working.
When we constantly focus on what's missing, our minds become wired for scarcity.
When we intentionally notice what's present, we become more aware of possibility.
One simple practice I recommend is a daily gratitude journal.
Write down:
Three things you're grateful for.
Two qualities you're becoming.
One meaningful win from your day.
This takes only a few minutes but helps shift your focus from scarcity to abundance.
Stop Letting Outcomes Determine Your Worth
One of the most transformative mindset shifts any nonprofit leader can make is separating self-worth from results.
You are not more valuable because a donor says yes.
You are not less valuable because a grant application is declined.
Fundraising outcomes matter.
They simply don't define you.
When your confidence no longer depends on external validation, you become calmer, more authentic, and more influential.
That's exactly the kind of leader people want to follow.
Lead from Inspiration, Not Obligation
There's a big difference between saying:
"I have to."
And saying:
"I get to."
One creates pressure.
The other creates possibility.
Inspired leaders still work hard.
They still pursue ambitious goals.
But they're motivated by purpose instead of fear.
When your actions come from inspiration rather than obligation, people naturally want to be part of what you're building.
That energy is contagious.
And it's one of the most overlooked aspects of effective fundraising.
Lead with Less Resistance and More Confidence
If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in constant fundraising pressure, pause for a moment.
Ask yourself:
Where am I trying to control something that isn't mine to control?
What would change if I trusted myself more?
What would become possible if I led from inspiration instead of fear?
When you release resistance, you create space for creativity, stronger relationships, better donor conversations, and greater impact.
If you're ready to shift your mindset, strengthen your influence, and build a fundraising approach that feels more joyful and sustainable, I'd love to help.
Book an Influence Activator Call and let's explore how you can become a more confident, grounded, and receptive leader.