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Support Raising TrainingSR (Support Raising) Training Tip#1: Work HardI'm in my 50th year and a grandpa now, so you could say I am old fashioned!!! Support raising training is not for the faint of heart. One of my values though has not gone out of date - hard work is a part of success. If anyone tries to tell you different - RUN the other way. There are many other ingredients to success, but take hard work out of any success endeavor and you will fail. There is no quick or easy path to anything worthwhile, other than the free gift of salvation that Jesus did the work for us.
SR Training Tip #2: Be ConsistentThe old story of the tortoise and hare is a classic, and for good reason. It is a lesson not just for children, but for us as professional support raising missionaries as well. Steady consistent action will out perform bursts of activity in the long run. As you work and learn skills (tips #1 & #3), your support will grow best by spending consistent hours every day, every week, on those activities that will bring you the most results in the long run. Learning will be a major percentage of your time in the first few months of your fundraising efforts. Like a farmer we are planting seeds, watering, and cultivating. Many quit when the field looks barren. Being from Illinois, the hard working farmers would be in the fields as soon as the snow would melt - preparing. They would go over the fields when it looked like nothing was happening. Even by June, the growth of the crops seemed tiny in light of the work. Then the corn stalks would begin to shoot up. The farmer's work was consistent, but the timing and seasons made a huge difference in results. Harvest season was extra busy, but the rewards made it fun. Most mlmers never get to harvest season. They sporadically put in efforts, don't see worthwhile growth, and walk away. If you are consistent with the right tools, doing the right planting and harvesting, you will reap a reward. Keep learning - support raising training really never ends - and don't quit. Be consistent in your activity month by month.
SR Training Tip #3: Learn the SkillsFor whatever reason, many of my friends through the years have been doctors. One is a dentist - he took over a successful practice from his dad and probably makes around 100k/year. One is an internist - got into medicine a bit later in life and probably makes around 100K/year. One is an optometrist - had family help setting up a practice, and probably makes around 100k/year. All of them are good at what they do. All of them spent many years in college. I could go on with many other examples within other industries - but here is my point. If want to be a full time missionry, you have got to work hard, learn skills, and be really good at what you do! You will need to be a student of support raising training. You will need to develop skills and treat your missions work with an attitude of business. The skills required in this age are, but not limited to: *General people skills *High level sale skills (yes -we are in sales!) *Business ownership and management. *Computer and internet know-how. *Marketing Skills If you are wanting and ready for full time missionary support, be ready for a season (usually a few years like my friends above) of learning and developing your skills over time.
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