You know that thing you’ve been wanting to do? Climb Mt. Everest? Clean out your attic? Tailor those pants? Launch that project? Volunteer at the food shelter?
I think you should do it this summer.
(I know, I know. The kids are home. You’ve got that road trip planned. Work’s insane right now. The calendar’s full: reunions, weddings, getaways, family dentist appointments. Check, check, check, check. I get it. )
So don’t do it alone, that’s all.
Throw yourself a resource party.
Here’s how it works:
- Gather 3-5 of your closest friends, and ask that they bring a few of their closest friends. You’ll end up with a circle of trusted folks you can squeeze into a living room, but I’ve had just as much success with a hotel lobby full of strangers.
- Everyone: write your thing on an index card. The dream, the project, the plan, whatever. Get specific.*
- Read it out loud to the room. Watch friends and strangers raise their hands to share the many ways, big and small, they can help. You want to run that marathon? A hand will raise: I can offer childcare while you train. Another: I have a discount code for running shoes. Another: I’m training, too, if you need an accountability partner.
- Exchange info. Say thank you.
- Go forth and raise your hand for others.
Soon enough, you’ll have a room full of dreamers who have all-the-sudden become doers, with the help of nothing but Sharpies and each other.
It’s no small thing, sharing our big things. Asking for help. Saying it all out loud.
You’ll see.
*The more specific, the better. I once threw a resource party where a woman wrote, and I am not kidding here, “I want to feed a penguin.” And OF COURSE the man standing across the room from her was the brother-in-law of the HR director for a local zoo, and OF COURSE he asked a favor, and the HR director made a request to a friend in PR, who checked with guest relations and so on and so forth until this random stranger with an index card and a dream was offering Coco the penguin her afternoon krill.
Love this idea! Just posted this up on FB to see if friends would want to join in.
Oh thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!!! :)
I’ve been on the hunt for more ways to be super intentional about living in a communal way with the people that I love. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED! Thank you so much for this idea!
You are so very welcome!!!!!! :)
I absolutely love this idea! And I’m tickled thinking about the woman feeding the penguin! :-)
I smile every time I think of her! :)
I love this idea. that’s all i wanna say.
it’s such a good one!
Oh. My. Goodness. I can’t tell you how much I love this idea. I’m going to organize a resource party with friends and neighbors and see what magic comes of it. Thank you so much.
Oh I’m so happy to hear you’re going to give it a go! Enjoy!!!
This is so genius and a bit scary at the same time :-).
I am going to let this idea ‘simmer’ a bit in my head.
(this is a litterely translated expression from dutch, I’m not sure if it makes sense in english).
BTW: at our local zoo you can feed the penguins every morning at 10.30. But still a really nice story!
omg thats amazing about the penguins, liesbeth!!! and yes, i totally know what you mean with your translation. well done! :)
What a great way to go about a dream or idea. Resources, love, connection and accountability. Brilliant. Thanks for sharing Erin!!
you’re so welcome!!! :)
What a great idea! And being a family in ministry, this has already gotten my husband brainstorming on ways to use this method to achieve church goals.
oh i love that, melissa!!! :)
Such a great idea, Erin! Would be fun to do this at some of the networking events I attend. I especially love that the ideas/dreams could be anything and not just career-focus.
exactly! sky’s the limit. ;) enjoy! :)