Ever poured hours into a project only to watch it get worse, not better? That frustrating cycle of diminishing returns might be fueled by a deeply-held belief that's actually holding you back.

Growing up, I absorbed my father's working-class ethos that hard work—defined by time spent, effort exerted, and suffering endured—was the only path to success. This belief followed me through school and into my career, where I'd routinely second-guess myself, redo perfectly good work until it deteriorated, and eventually develop unhealthy procrastination habits. The breaking point came when I witnessed a colleague working 70-hour weeks with additional staff and still falling behind. That's when I realized I was trapped in the same pattern.

The transformation began when I started trusting my instincts, setting shorter timelines, and evaluating work at the halfway mark. Surprisingly, 95% of the time, my initial work needed no changes. This wasn't just about working smarter—it was about recognizing that our limiting beliefs often protect us in some way, even as they sabotage our success. My belief about hard work made me feel worthy and shielded me from the fear of not being enough.

This mindset shift extends beyond personal productivity to how we approach tools like artificial intelligence. Many fundraisers resist AI because they value human connection, but what if technology isn't the barrier between you and your donors? What if it's actually the solution that clears away administrative burdens so you can be more present in those relationships?

Ready to identify which beliefs are holding you back? Download our free "AI for Major Gift Fundraisers" cheat sheet with five simple prompts to help you reclaim your time and focus on what truly matters. Visit downloads.letstalkfundraising.com/AIprompts to get started today.

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