Go ahead and do the weird thing.

If you're at your desk reading this, and on your to-do list is an item that requires you to get out of your comfort zone, be a little weird, or do something different? 

Let this be the sign for you to say yes. 

I can't tell you how many times I have been in a boardroom, in a leadership group, or gathering of non-profit executives where the phrase “we've always done it that way" has been uttered. 

And there hasn't been a time when that phrase hasn't made me want to run into oncoming traffic. 

There also has never been a time that doing something interesting, unique, different and exciting has ever caused the destruction of a non-profit. 

You know what has though?

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results 

It isn't insane to want to take a leap and try something new at your organization.

And I guarantee the benefits of taking a tiny risk of maybe being embarrassed or having something flop, outweigh doing nothing at all. 

This week I have the great opportunity of speaking to over 70 non-profit leaders in Williston, North Dakota. 

For those of you unfamiliar with this exotic place, it's damn near 7 hours away from my home, and tucked nice and close to Canada and Montana.

But instead of telling this group that it was too out of the way, I immediately said yes to heading out there.

And asked if I could kidnap a few of my friends who are experts in the non-profit realm and bring them with. Shout out Max, Melanie, Shawn & Lyndsay.

What resulted in this weird-out-of-the-way-odd-out-of-the-box road trip?

Making 70 brand new friends who brainstormed, hugged, laughed and grew…and as a bonus, our car full of Shenanegators, became quite punchy on the drive back prompting some of the most hilarious and deep conversations that I've had in a very long time. 

Did we stop and rank truck stop amenities and their snacks? Yes. 

Did we take a picture in front of the worlds largest dairy cow? Yes. 

Did we survive driving directly into a storm that dropped 5 inches of rain on us in less than an hour? Absolutely. 

And it was glorious.

I think it's human nature to want to avoid risk or being uncomfortable when you don’t know the results of what you are going to put effort into. 

But I promise you you'll be way more uncomfortable regretting not doing that one thing that could have been really fun in your pursuit of comfort. 

Go on. 

Plan & schedule that cat & dog fashion show if you’re a local shelter.

Bring up that niche Swedish metal band you’re obsessed with during a donor conversation.

Ask your board member what famous person, dead or alive, they would want to have dinner with and why.

Whatever is on that to-do list that you envision to be more fun, exciting and interesting…and scary, risky or different?

Do it.

Your donors will be intrigued.

Your mission gets to be told in a more unique way.

And your organization is a bit more memorable.

It’s only weird once. After that, it’s just awesome.

You got this!

-Patrick

PS: What weird thing have you been sitting on....and why aren't you doing it!??!

PPSS: Bonus picture of us ACTUALLY at the World’s Largest Dairy Cow. Enjoy!