The Influential Nonprofit

The Voices in Your Head… and How They Affect Your Ask

Episode Summary

Key Takeaways: Successful fundraising is more than just strategy—it begins with your internal world. Your mindset, emotional energy, and unconscious patterns play a major role in how you connect with others and inspire support. We all have sub-personalities—like the pleaser, perfectionist, or rebel—that try to protect us. These “parts” aren’t bad, but they can unintentionally undermine your efforts if left unchecked. Awareness is key to working with them, not against them. In fundraising, how you show up matters more than what you say. People respond to your energy—your authenticity, confidence, and presence—far more than a perfectly crafted pitch. Your internal state sets the tone. The goal isn't to silence your inner parts, but to let your grounded, aligned self take the lead. When you notice, name, and understand which part is showing up, you create space to choose a response that’s authentic and effective. “Fundraising at its core is an inside-out game. What you put out is what you're going to get back.” “Energy speaks louder than words, and most of us really want to get the words right, and we're not thinking about the energy.” “Nothing is broken, no one needs to be replaced or banished. We just have to think about who gets to drive the bus.” - Maryanne Dersch Ask for and receive all you want, need, and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively, and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work. Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Connect with Maryanne about her coaching programs: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/connect Book Maryanne to speak at your conference: https://www.courageouscommunication.com/nonprofit-keynote-speaker

Episode Notes

Key Takeaways:

• Successful fundraising is more than just strategy—it begins with your internal world. Your mindset, emotional energy, and unconscious patterns play a major role in how you connect with others and inspire support.
• We all have sub-personalities—like the pleaser, perfectionist, or rebel—that try to protect us. These “parts” aren’t bad, but they can unintentionally undermine your efforts if left unchecked. Awareness is key to working with them, not against them.
• In fundraising, how you show up matters more than what you say. People respond to your energy—your authenticity, confidence, and presence—far more than a perfectly crafted pitch. Your internal state sets the tone.
• The goal isn't to silence your inner parts, but to let your grounded, aligned self take the lead. When you notice, name, and understand which part is showing up, you create space to choose a response that’s authentic and effective.

“Fundraising at its core is an inside-out game. What you put out is what you're going to get back.”

“Energy speaks louder than words, and most of us really want to get the words right, and we're not thinking about the energy.” 

“Nothing is broken, no one needs to be replaced or banished. We just have to think about who gets to drive the bus.”

- Maryanne Dersch