Yesterday evening a more experienced (and very successful) fundraiser accompanied me as I went around knocking on doors. I found his comments perceptive and helpful, especially as he said "I'm not saying that this is the right way to do things, these are just suggestions for you to try out." He noticed that I was `hanging back' from the door and suggested that I try standing a bit nearer to make connecting with whoever answers a bit easier. Also that I could still do with saying less and allowing the other person more space to speak.
I was introduced to the concept of `warming up' the booklet. Apparently only a little introduction is needed - it seems there's an advantage in just getting the thing into the other person's hands as soon as possible and letting it (the booklet) do some of the talking.
It was also interesting to see my friend knocking on doors. He seemed quite confident and bold, without being pushy, as if to say to the householder "Here I am and here you are and that is just fine. I want to tell you about the difference these projects are making in India." It all seemed quite definite and unhesitant, as if to say "This is the truth of what's going on. And it's important." He encouraged me to take up my space on the doorstep with pride: "This is Bodhisattva work." Dr Ambedkar (who is a hero of mine) came very strongly to mind, and I was glad later on to have the opportunity to tell someone on one of the doorsteps more about him. It was as if in doing so we were clarifying some doubts in the householder's mind. The bloke didn't sign up but we both felt like he came really close - he just needed more time to think about it. My trainer suggested that I call on him again towards the end of the appeal.
Today in training we did various role-playing exercises where we acted as different people of varying degrees of confidence and unconfidence. Afterwards I felt a lot more unsure of (or open to) who I was and how I could be with others. Also who they were and how they might be.
