Unprecedented times require quick decisions

An old boss of mine once shared a quote that has stuck with me for years.

It came from General

George S. Patton:

“A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”

I live my life by this philosophy. Much of my success comes from my ability to move — to be decisive, to course-correct when needed, but to never stop moving forward.

That quote came to mind just this week when one of Team Kat & Mouse’s clients spent way too much time choosing a photo for a social media post.

The post was important — it was an opportunity to inform those they serve and to inspire donors to rally behind their cause. But in the pursuit of the perfect image, valuable time slipped away.

Winston Churchill said it best:

“Perfection is the enemy of progress.”

To which I say: yes, yes, yes!

There is no perfect photo. There are, however, many really good photos that will tell your story beautifully. Original photography is always best (as long as you have permission to use it), but don’t be afraid to mix in free stock images when needed.

And remember, even in a world where a few letters like “LMAO” can tell an entire story, your words still matter. 

Use them wisely. Tell your story clearly — and always include a call to action.Ask yourself: what do you want your reader to do?

• Visit your website for more information

• Donate (now!)

• Volunteer

Taking too long to make a decision — even about something as small as a photo — is just one example of analysis paralysis.

Unprecedented times require decisiveness and agility. 

Great ideas — or even good ideas that get traction — are critical. Jump on opportunities that can raise money for your mission, as long as they stay true to your mission and don’t overwhelm your team.

• Be bold enough to test new ideas. 

• Be wise enough to move quickly from the ones that don’t work.

• Your most valuable asset is your time — own it.

As a fundraiser, your job is to generate resources that further your mission. Guard your time fiercely and focus on actions that drive real results.

At Team Kat & Mouse, we’re here to help. 

We founded TKM in response to what we learned during COVID — that agility, creativity, and action win the day.

You can be successful. We promise.