It’s good practise to plan your giving. January is a great time to do that. By thinking things through now and setting goals, you can make sure that your efforts go toward the causes that mean the most to you. 2021 is likely to hold special challenges for the organizations we love so this is a good time to start a new practise of Mindful Giving. 

1. Listen to your Heart

If you had a magic wand and you could fix one problem what would it be? If you could help one person who would you help? Would you love to give a gift of arts, education or healthcare? Are you drawn to helping children, or seniors or those with special needs? Is it a local need that draws you or is it an international need? Is there an organization that is doing this work?

2. Evaluate your Resources

  • Will you give cash? If you can support with a monetary gift, don’t forget to consider the tax implications. You may find that a larger gift fits in the budget when you remember the tax savings. 
  • Will you give your time? Many organizations would be thrilled to have an offer of your time. Do you have skills that could make an impact? It saves organizations even if you can put letters in envelopes. Are you in a position to encourage others to give to your chosen organization? All these things help.
  • Will you give your moral support? Sometimes everyone needs to know that they are appreciated. 

You can make a difference by giving cash, your time or your moral support or a combination of the three. It will happen if you make the decision now.

3. Value the Importance of your Contribution

The Beatles sang “We all want to change the world.” This sentiment might just do more harm than good. If the goal is to change the world, we may feel that we can’t make a significant difference. We may feel powerless when we think the problems are too big. It can be paralysing and lead us to do nothing.

Remember the story about the little boy who was walking down the beach picking up starfish and tossing them back into the ocean so they wouldn’t die? He met a man who told him that he couldn’t make much of a difference because there were thousands and thousands of dying starfish. The young man’s answer is something we all must keep in mind. As he tosses another into the ocean, he says, “It made a difference to that one.”

Think about a bucket that is catching a drip. That constant drip fills the bucket. Whose bucket will you fill in 2021? Never doubt your ability to make a difference. 

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I’d love to learn about the impact you plan to make. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with your comments and ask to be included on the guestlist for my next Mindful Money Management Zoom Workshop. See you there!