Last week I wrote about junkyard wisdom and used the line, “Junk cars, like broken people, often have the parts to make something whole.”
It triggered some fun/silly exchanges with friends about what car part they actually are. One said he was a UV joint because he held things together, another said a seatbelt because he was strong but passive, and another said a spare wheel just waiting to go but enjoying the downtime (sounds Covid induced to me). There were others, but you get the idea.
So I was thinking about what spare part I am, and the metaphors started going. One struck me as worth sharing.
I am a power window motor.
Strange, eh? But wait, here’s why: power windows are a luxury often viewed as a necessity. Truth is you don’t need power windows — roll-up windows work just fine. But we’ve all grown to view power windows as a necessity when picking out a car (unless it’s an old classic, but then you can easily punch holes in most metaphors, so just hang with me).
So why am I self-describing as a luxury too often viewed as a necessity?
Because so many people overvalue what I can offer them simply because I have been financially successful. Whether it is my advice or funding, they take me entirely too seriously.
Here’s an example.
Years ago, D’Aun and I started a family foundation and began giving to worthy organizations. Of special interest for me have been the Freestarters™ who launched small startup ministries and nonprofits.
It has been a joy for both of us. But at times, we’ve had to say “no” to people because it was just too early to fund their work. They had an idea but had done nothing else.
Different folks treated my rejection (and I say “my” here because D’Aun was always super nice) in different ways. All the folks were understandably disappointed, and many handled it well and simply went on with their work.
Others … well, others had put too much hope into receiving the funding. One person had defined his success based entirely on our anticipated generosity. The disappointing “no” threw him for a loop. He was angry and flabbergasted. His reaction amounted to, “How dare you not fund me!” He even told me I was out of God’s will and being selfish.
Now obviously this reaction is ridiculous. This guy was a one time, over the top reaction, but many others who heard “no” reacted the same just in subtler ways. Less hyperbole, more decorum, but the same emotional reaction could be sensed under the surface. They had set way too much value on our generosity.
Most nonprofits in the startup phase should learn how to run lean first and foremost. That’s what Freestarter™ awards are all about: they are for the folks who actually DO something and then need funding to keep going. In the critical first stages of operation, an organization needs sweat equity more than financial equity.
Said another way, they need to focus on manual roll-up windows before they worry about electric windows.
And that’s why I’m a power window motor – an out-of-sight luxury you really don’t need.
What part are you?