The Right Tools & Training

While my kiddo is on a study abroad trip in Dublin, I take their car out for a drive every few weeks. Nothing major, just to make sure everything is working as it should (or at least as well as a 15 year old Mazda should work).

Last week, I started the car to be greeted by the ominous clicking noise that suggests a problem has arisen. As with my experience with cars suggests, this could be a problem that ranges from the inconvenient to the expensive.

I took a look at the battery and, judging from the corrosion, I knew this was the culprit. So I had a plan: remove battery, go to the auto parts store, get a new battery, and then install.

Then I ran into another problem.

One of the bolts I needed to remove was stuck. Stuck in a way that seemed to defy my toolbox and my eroding patience. After all, I had a list of chores, a break in the rain, and a sense that the day was rapidly dwindling.

But then, I did something that I very seldom do. I took the some of the advice that I give to clients.

I thought: is there someone else who could solve this problem? Someone with the expertise and the tools that I don't have?

One call to the Auto Club and 30 minutes later, I had a new battery installed, the old one carted away, and was able to tackle the next items on the chore list.

When something unexpected crops up in my day, my first inclination is to double down on my plan and try to power through to a solution. In this case, if I had stuck to my plan, I would have eventually gotten that bolt loose, and would have solved this problem. But the question is - what would it have cost me? Not only in terms of money, but it terms of time, energy, and even my attitude?

Direct marketing superstar (and longtime friend) Chris R. calls this dilemma the "changing your own oil" problem. Most anyone can change their own oil - it's not an impossible task. But what does that task really cost you to solve? A professional, with a new set of skills, tools, and ideas, can likely solve it faster.

Faced with a challenge, many nonprofit leaders will opt to double down on their plans and power through. After all, you've got a development director on the team, surely she can plan the gala / print the direct marketing letters / write the newsletter / etc.

But what does that cost? What's the opportunity cost of giving your employee a problem is going to eat up time and energy to solve? And a problem that can be solved quickly by bringing in a professional?

So, what problem are you or your team members trying to power your way through? And who can you reach out to for help?

Spoiler alert! It's me. I can help. Let's talk!

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