#41: Tell someone to dream bigger
And 4 other inspiring ideas from the tech and non-profit spheres
Hello!
And a warm welcome to all new subscribers š Pass It On is, to my knowledge, the only publication helping Tech and Non-profits learn from each other. Itās also one of the few Substacks serving Non-profits. Whatever spurred you to join, Iām delighted youāre here.
This week is a pattern interrupt week. Itās when I curate interesting links from the tech and non-profit spheres. I call it a pattern interrupt because Iām attempting to hijack your search and newsfeed algorithms. Tech startups are unlikely to see content from the charity world and vice versaāeven if you could learn something from it. So when we pattern interrupt, we hack the system for everyoneās benefit.
Speaking of hijacking and systems: democracy was hijacked last week. Iām still figuring out how to put my thoughts into words. So in the meantime, Iām borrowing some wise ones from Rebecca Solnit:
āThe real work is not to convert those who hate us but to change the world so that haters donāt hold disproportionate power and so that others are not sucked into the nightmare.ā
#1 Set up your self-reflection calendar
One Question A Day viaĀ Dense Discovery
Self-reflection is key to self-improvement, but many of us struggle to make the time. This free digital calendar lowers the barrier by inviting you to one thought-provoking daily prompt. Todayās one is āWhat do you need to tell yourself today?ā
ā”ļø Get the calendar
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#2 Write a reverse job postingĀ
Andy PressmanĀ viaĀ Startupy
What if, instead of applying to an organisation, the organisation applied to you? The reverse job posting is an inspiring idea from a digital designer daring to state whatĀ heāsĀ looking for in a company. And then letting them come to him.
ā”ļø See the posting
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#3 Challenge your misconceptions about non-profitsĀ
Amy FassĀ viaĀ Pinnacle Strategies
Why shouldnāt non-profits make a profit? Who said non-profits need low overhead? This punchy piece challenges everyone to see non-profits for the successful businesses they are:
āRunning a non-profit IS running a businessābut you are running more than just a business. You have a double bottom line. Not only does a non-profit need to have healthy financials to survive (and to receive funding), it needs to create a SOCIAL BENEFIT to society, as well. It is in effect running two businesses. I would argue that thriving non-profits are some of the best-run businesses around since they have to thrive in not one, but two arenas. In fact, I would argue that many for-profit businesses could learn a great deal from non-profits.ā
ā”ļø Read the rest
PS Check out my recent interview for Pinnacle StrategiesĀ here.
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#4 Tell someone to dream bigger
Tyler CowenĀ viaĀ Startupy
There are infinite theories and frameworks on leadership. But few are as simple and powerful as this one:Ā
āAt critical moments in time, you can raise the aspirations of other people significantly, especially when they are relatively young, simply by suggesting they do something better or more ambitious than what they might have in mind. It costs you relatively little to do this, but the benefit to them, and to the broader world, may be enormous.ā
ā”ļø Finish the blog
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#5 Give or receive free digital advice
Digital CandleĀ viaĀ CAST
If Pass It On became a match-making service, this would be it. Digital Candle connects digital experts with charities needing digital advice. All you have to commit to is a one-hour call. So what are you waiting for?
And thatās a wrap on this weekās interrupt. If any of these links inspired you, Iād love to know:
Thanks for reading,
Lauren
This is great stuff, Lauren. Thanks for the shout out and I am definitely checking out the self-reflection calendar.