Slow and steady wins the race

We all know the expression, but sometimes we don’t want to hear it.

Patience is not one of my strong points, especially when I feel something good is ahead. That probably describes me at this early stage of my Cheerful Giver initiative.

In my minds eye, I can envisage The Cheerful Giver being the catalyst for countless more people engaging in charitable giving, especially those who otherwise mightn’t. I can also envisage other people, those who could already be described as Cheerful Givers, giving more as they hear about other needs both here in Australia and across the globe. As adventurous and ambitious as that may seem, that’s the vision and ambition that drives me.

That said, the world today is very different to the one I remember when I started in business 50 years ago. For all of today’s technology and efficiency measures, it can now take hours, days or even weeks to get even simple tasks finalised.

Just recently I spent half an hour on the phone with my Telco trying to get some basic information about updating my NBN service. My main problem was understanding the lady’s accent, she also spoke very quickly meaning I could only pick up bits and pieces of what she was saying. I finally gave up having achieved nothing other than spending half an hour on the phone. Experiences like this don’t help me with my desire to be a more patient person.

You’re probably starting to see where I’m heading with this, and why I say it’s likely to be another case of slow and steady wins the race.

My problems in a nutshell are these –

General:

1. To get enough support from suitable charities and organisations so that The Cheerful Giver quickly becomes a well-known, respected and influential service.

2. To make The Cheerful Giver interesting and entertaining enough for many people to visit it, respect it, then talk about it to others.

For organisations that I’d like to have participate:

1. Getting information about the Cheerful Giver to the appropriate decision makers in the organisations that I’d like to see participate.

2. If I am fortunate enough to achieve that, then wondering if they actually read and understood the opportunities.

3. If they did read and understand my information, will they then consider what I’m offering worthwhile and be willing to participate?

4. How the organisations that do participate will be able to measure any response that comes as a direct result of The Cheerful Giver.

For the general community:

1. First, simply making people aware of The Cheerful Giver.

2. Doing enough to cause people to want to visit the website at least ONCE.

3. Making the site interesting enough for people to visit it and talk about it often.

Of course, this is all doable but as I have said, I believe it will take quite some time to reach any real heights. For now, it’s onward and upward and I hope many reading this will join and support me on my journey.

Cheers and go well!

Bob (Holland)

24th July, 2025

Feel free to send me some feedback or comments anytime contact@thecheerfulgiver.com.au