August 2023 – Olivia Blase

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Resources for Nonprofits in Orlando and Beyond 

Running a community initiative, social project, or nonprofit is a lot of work – and for many of Crave’s leaders and alumni, it isn’t always the full-time gig. You have a lot on your plate, with family, jobs, and other projects. We do what we do because of our passion, heart to serve, and personal experiences. Sometimes the administrative, fundraising, and marketing work that it often takes to run a successful project are put on the back burner. 

But did you know that there are many free or reduced price resources for nonprofits that can help make your work easier? Crave leaders often start nonprofits in Orlando, but many of these resources are available for nonprofits in other states, as well as unregistered community initiatives. 

Resources for nonprofits in Orlando area: 

  • The City of Orlando offers a variety of initiatives for nonprofits to receive funding, training to be a neighborhood board member, and more. 
  • The Edyth Bush Institute is no stranger to Crave and is a resource that everyone in the Craveverse should bookmark!

Funding/Finances 

  • The Awesome Foundation: The Awesome Foundation is a global community that funds small projects with grants of $1,000 – and you don’t have to be a nonprofit to qualify. In fact, the Orlando chapter prefers to fund smaller, grassroots initiatives that aren’t already accepting a lot of funds from donors. 
  • Free Online Grant Writing Courses with certification: Nonprofit Ready offers a range of free courses online, including grant writing topics. If you want to break into the world of securing grant funding for your project or nonprofit, this is a useful learning resource.
  • Pledge: Pledge is an online fundraising tool that covers the credit card fees that other fundraising platforms charge the donor. They have options for small businesses, nonprofits, and even individuals to fundraise. 

Marketing/Digital Advertising

  • Google Ad Grants: If you run a registered nonprofit, you can apply for up to $10,000 in Google ad credit (must apply and qualify). If you secure the funding, Donorbox offers a thorough explanation of how to effectively use Google ads.   
  • Canva: Create beautiful graphics and images (like we have at Crave 😉) with a free for nonprofits Canva pro account! 
  • Mailchimp: If you are or are planning to utilize a lot of email newsletters, Mailchimp offers a forever free plan and then a 15% discount to nonprofits if you want to upgrade. 
  • Buffer: Manage all of your social media scheduling, tracking, and analytics with this schedule tool. There is a free plan, but if you need to upgrade to a paid plan, they offer 50% off for qualifying nonprofits. Their cheapest plan is $6/month, so that would be $3/month if you qualify! 

Admin/Management Tools: 

  • TechSoup: This is a nonprofit itself that offers free or discounted hardware, cloud services, software, and technology for other nonprofits. 
  • Copy.AI: If you are up for trying out AI, this writing tool is useful for generating content in multiple languages, improving your writing, and other tasks that will save you precious time and brain power. 

If you aren’t a registered nonprofit yet, Merchant Maverick has an overview of the steps to take to becoming one. And if you are a Crave leader or alumni with a nonprofit in Orlando, reach out to your facilitator or info@cravefla.org for further information and assistance about the process! 

Olivia Blase

Crave III Alumni

Crave’s Social Media Coordinator

 

July 2023 – Rev. Michele Van Son Neill

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Introducing FX Crave, Class I
Six years ago, Crave came to life as a way to connect “church people” with amazing mission-minded non-church leaders making a social impact in Central Florida. Throughout the years, these incredible Crave Leaders and alumni have been served by faith-based volunteers as board members, community partners, coaches, and committee members.
This year, the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church through a grant from the Susan H. and Wilbur H. Marcy Trust hired Crave to run a pilot cohort of Central Florida church members and clergy who want to launch an amazing missional project, just like our Crave alumni have done for the past 5 years! As an intentional effort to support Fresh Expressions, this pilot cohort is called FX Crave.
FX Crave Welcome Dinner
(l-r) Alina Saucedo, Elyse Grossman, Julie Livingston, David Averill, Ben Collins, CJ Hill, Amanda Green, Janet Westlake, and Bill Walker
We are under the leadership and accountability of a committed advisory group (Rev  David Averill, Rev. Ben Collins, Alina Saucedo, and Bill Walker) who have been exploring, praying, and working on adapting and launching the Crave methodology for Methodists. Almost at its halfway point, FX Crave Leaders represent 5 area congregations, 3 Laity, and 2 Clergy, one of whom was licensed just last month! Their projects include Creation Care; a neighborhood-based collaborative impact; community building for parents of teens; a health and wellness initiative; and a 55+ retirement park missional community development.
FX Leaders gather in person for soul-tending sessions, and online monthly for coaching check-ins and project skill development (outside church walls). Additionally, opportunities to interact with and enjoy the Class 6 Crave Leaders expand FX Leader networks to more diverse neighborhoods and learn alternative approaches for doing neighborhood-based ministry.
While this is the first FX residency-type program, FX Crave is already providing lots of learnings and insights about being a change-maker for the common good, or as Methodists would say “disciplining”. Prayers, ideas, and conversation are deeply appreciated as we discover new ways to be an ancient type of covenant community, spreading God’s love in the world.
If you are interested in getting involved or learning more about FX Crave, please contact us!
Executive Director
Crave of Florida, Inc.FX

June 2023 – Seven Charlestin

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This is a transcript of a speech that Crave V leader, Seven Charlestin, gave at a Wake-Up Wednesday rally last month at the Pulse Memorial in Orlando.  The entire speech can be found on our YouTube channel.
I just want to advocate for my community … 

I thought it’d be good to come out and represent and speak for my neighborhood and, especially, my chapter of March for Our Lives. A lot of black communities don’t have the luxuries to be able to advocate for themselves the way they want to, because a lot of the social aspects of gun violence are crushing a lot of our neighborhoods. People who want to advocate for issues like gun violence have to risk their health and well-being, especially since a lot of the work that we’re doing in our communities is not paid.

And we don’t have the platform to do the type of work they want. I, like a lot of the other organizers I know in Pine Hills, whether we’re sick, injured, hurt, et cetera., are doing this civil work to try to support our community and prevent gun violence, daily.

Among other things, I want to talk about just some social aspects of gun violence and kind of the roots of them and how they transpire in my community, especially. Gun violence is an epidemic everywhere in America, but, in black communities, it’s 18 times more likely for a black American to be a victim of gun violence than a white American and any other community. And, most of those root causes are poverty, lack of access to resources, and the availability of guns.

One thing that I’ve been focused on a lot for the last two years is male patriarchy and just the way that our men are being raised and socialized, especially in our culture. Males for the most part are 50% of the population in America, and we’re over 80% of the suicides by gun violence.

And men are over 80% of the gun homicide victims. And, as far as it comes to mass shootings, just about 95% of mass shootings are taking place by men. And it’s largely because of the way that we’re socialized. Women have the same type of mental health issues, the same type of rates of poverty, et cetera. But, the way that men are raised to be, to fight for their identity above everything else is one of the key causes, I believe, of gun violence, especially in my community, where black males are especially a large faction of gun violence victims and offenders.

That’s something that my chapter of March for Our Lives focuses on in my community, mainly just finding ways to help young men, and kids in general deal with conflict resolution and understand how they can affect their community from a public safety standpoint.

I just wanted to come out to advocate for my community because, without me or one of the other few people from Pine Hills who is always advocating for gun violence prevention, I don’t think we will be represented. I want, as the fight against gun violence continues, I want people to remember that the black communities that are really at the brunt of some of this gun violence and the fact that, after the gun, I mean, if we ever get an assault weapon ban, we still need help with all the other root causes of gun violence, where it comes to just the help that boys and men need and, poverty and all those other aspects.

So thank you, guys.

Seven Charlestin

Crave V Leader

Photo by Agulia Creative

 

May 2023 – Keisha and Mark Bishop

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Staying True to Your Mission

Crave alum Olivia Blase from Class III sits down with Class V alumni Keisha and Mark Bishop, of Lyles Brothers’ Sports Foundation, to talk about their experience running their nonprofit, their involvement with Crave, how to effectively work as a couple, and staying true to their mission instead of chasing funding. Get to know this inspirational and down-to-earth couple even better! 

 

March 2023 – Rev. Michele Van Son Neill

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Feeding Hope for Grassroots Visionaries

Yesterday my son and I spent several hours packing food in boxes at Second Harvest Food Bank. If you’ve never been, I strongly recommend it: 1. clear mission, 2. well oiled machine, 3. high volume impact. Their slogan is Feeding Hope which is a clever reference to how their mercy work (feeding the hungry) is required before Maslow’s higher hierarchy of needs (hope) is possible.

When considering where to give our time, talents, resources, witness, and presence we have an opportunity to consider both mercy work and justice work. Mercy work is putting food in boxes and delivering it to hungry people to consume for one meal. Justice work eliminates the reasons people are hungry (lack of a living wage, unaffordable housing, poor education, unsafe neighborhoods, etc.). Justice work is expensive and complex, but it is the only way to make deep, lasting change.

Crave does justice work for grassroots visionaries in Central Florida by removing barriers and providing access to resources (relational, educational, financial, etc.). This was super evident at our Class VI Welcome Dinner earlier this month. Crave visionaries lead mercy efforts with impact that can ultimately change the course of generational poverty.

Please take a peek at our Class VI leader bios and dreams here. Crave coaches have been oriented; professional development sessions (strategic planning, consumer profiles, fundraising, etc.) are being finalized; and Class VI Soul-Tending sessions have begun in the way they always do: the Holy Spirit shows up tenderly, specifically, and powerfully bonds a group of former strangers who believe the world can be better…and are committing their lives to doing just that!

Keep an eye out for future Crave updates about Class VI. Class V had a miraculous nucleus around mental health. Class VI is focused on children: in foster care, educationally under-resourced, housing insecure, living in unsafe neighborhoods, and those with developmental disabilities.

Crave VI Leaders (l-r): Nikki Boswell, Eli Salhab, Joni Pugh, Lakechia Jackson, Annakay Kenlock, and Jessica Thibou

 

Crave does justice work by breaking through cultural/systemic barriers and increasing access to resources and opportunities by connecting different people with similar missions. If any of the Crave VI mercy work for families and children is speaking to you, or you have experience to share, or a desire to learn more, please let us know here!

Thank you for being a critical part of Central Florida’s grassroots visionary impact!

Michele Van Son Neill
Founder and Executive Director
Crave of Florida, Inc.

February 2023 – Olivia Blase

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Who do I want to be? 

Every new season of life gives us the opportunity to decide the answer to a very simple yet important question: who do I want to be?

What do I value most? What impact do I want to leave on the world? How do I want to interact with other people? How do I want to feel? What legacy do I want to leave? Whether you are a new parent, have started a new job, moved, are going through loss and heartbreak, etc., new life situations are opportunities for us to check in with ourselves and be intentional about the people we want to be. 

Earth Day, 2020

In college I had to decide what kind of student I wanted to be. In my young adult life, I mostly questioned what kind of friend I was. Starting my first career and beyond (this journey definitely isn’t over), I was evaluating the type of employee I wanted to be. When I was a Leader in Crave III, I wrestled with my identity as a white woman, as well as my role in our world as a person who wants to use her gifts for good and justice. 

Crave III Leaders (l-r) Marquis McKenzie, Blu Bailey, Jarvis Wheeler, Olivia Blase, and Shequila Roberts

 

My newest adventure, living in Spain and teaching English, has forced me to address my identity as an American. This has been an especially interesting experience while living in Europe where everyone has an opinion about the USA. Some people thank me for how the States intervened in World War II. Others complain to me about how we get involved in everything globally. Some gush to me how much they love the USA, and others plainly tell me that they hate our country. 

San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid

At first, all of this mixed feedback caused me to close up and try to hide my “Americanness”. I was confused about what it meant to be me in a place where everyone has an opinion about me. So instead of dealing with the question of “who do I want to be?” I clammed up and let others decide [for me] who I was to them. Let me tell you something – that didn’t work so well. I have spent so much time and energy wrestling with my identity on others’ opinions, yet I was wasting the opportunity to decide who I am going to be and what I am going to represent. 

And of course, my identity both encompasses and extends beyond being American – or being a friend, a woman, caucasian, a student, an employee. Much of who I decide to be is exemplified by being a part of the Crave family, a community that loves, embraces, empowers, and emboldens people who are curious, passionate, generous, humble, and not afraid to bust boundaries for the good of others. 

That is the kind of person I want to be. What about you?

Olivia Blase, Crave III Alum

YOU ARE A WONDER WOMAN! In 5th grade art class, the assignment was to draw a superhero comic. None chose a woman. I drew this on the whiteboard, and soon after, several of them wanted help drawing her, too. They see what we represent and don’t represent.

January 2023 – Jennifer McKinney

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How to Gain Clarity
There are many things we were not taught. Many things we are learning and passing on to the next generation. Things like letting go of perfectionism; how to work with our emotions; how important things like our thoughts and words actually are, and how to find clarity on what we truly want. These have been learned through self-exploration, but never through traditional streams of education, and often not even from our parents and guardians who were not taught these skills.

We are at the beginning of a calendar year, which often elicits goals of taking advantage of a fresh start. We set intentions for what we want to invite in throughout the new year, but as we also now know, for greatest results, setting the intention takes some strategy. If we align ourselves more with the seasonal calendar, winter is the first step in creating intentions for the upcoming cycle.

In winter we slow down and go inwards. We meditate on what the previous year brought us; we explore our role in the outcomes we received; we peel back what may have been getting in the way, and we get CLEAR on what seeds we want to plant for the new year. This work requires bravery. It requires a season of pause before “springing” into the next goal. Slowing down is a big part of the phase of winter, giving more time for reflecting and processing the previous cycles. Slowing down allows you to notice what is and isn’t working. For this, finding frequent moments of peace, digital detoxes, meditation and prayer allow you to cut through the constant stimulation that is our current experience as humans. You have to knowingly wade into the noise, sit in it and allow the noise to settle around you to find the gems of truth that are always there below the chaos.

 

Questions to ponder in the peaceful moments: Reminder: You have all winter to explore these questions.
● How satisfied am I? (Apply to specific topic or keep it general)
● How do I want to feel this year?
● When I look through the lens of God/My Highest Self/Love, what do I see for myself this year? What is their vision for me?
● What is keeping me from moving forward? Where is there lots of struggle?
● What drains my energy most?
● What currently makes me feel alive?

The next layer to finding clarity for your new year is to express what you found in the quiet. Write it down, speak it out loud, create art with it as your muse, move your body to reflect the truths. Let it flow through and out of you, and then, pause again. Repeat the process a few times, exploring different things. After the introspection, after the expression, you digest. You tend to what needs healing, you rest and you revisit the expressive creations frequently, adding layers if you feel it’s needed, possibly getting additional support for moments that feel too deep for self exploration. There tends to be a lot of letting go and accepting what is, hopefully from a place of love and understanding for the human experience. Then, as if suddenly, you begin to see, you begin to feel what’s needed next. Slowly and simply you start to make a game plan for the next season, spring. You start to gather new tools and teachers; you invest in creating change; you build momentum in the form of foundational habits and small tweaks throughout the winter months. When spring rolls around, you are ready to spring into further action.

Clarity thru Crave
Big goals and projects may take many cycles before the momentum is there and this is very normal. Building a business, changing your habits, learning new skills all take years. This is why allowing plenty of time to reflect and get clear is so important … otherwise it is very easy to get lost in the weeds. It’s as if the moments of inner work are equivalent to pulling the weeds of your metaphoric garden, clearing all the stuff that became overgrown or neglected throughout the year. When I think about my time with Crave one of the biggest benefits was the space to dig deep and get clear on what I wanted to create. I had the idea of an online wellness program, but the project seemed too daunting. I lacked clarity. The workshops, the time to brainstorm with a trusted group, the professionals I got to meet and learn from through Crave were a very crucial part of the final product that will actually launch this SPRING!!! Five years in the making and it all started with the mindful mapping of Crave activities that unveiled my vision.

Forever grateful,

Jennifer McKinney, Crave I Leader

 

Foundational Fitness Online Wellness

 

December 2022 – Rev. Shelly Denmark

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Reflections on Crave Class V 

We broke some records this year…they didn’t receive the kind of attention that Noah Lyles did (deservedly so), but they were important for the future of Crave. This year we had not only 1, but 2 family teams as Crave Leaders. It was inspiring to watch The Bishops and Team Lewis leverage their unique gifts as family units to better serve each of their organizations. And they set a precedent…we have a mother-daughter team who applied for the next Cohort. We appreciate both of these families letting us learn together as we tried something new.

We also started out with the largest Cohort Crave has ever had! And while a couple of our wonderful leaders had to step away for personal and work reasons, the Cohort still kept in touch with them, found ways to care for them, and collaborate on projects together. That is the mark of an intentional community. 

Class V set the bar for the most money contributed towards Crave…and I know they will continue in that spirit of generosity as they engage and participate in our Alumni community. They are the spark that helped us get better organized to ensure we are meeting our Alumni’s ongoing needs.

Now for some individual gratitudes…

Seven was a sponge this year in Crave, soaking up all that he could learn and apply towards making Las Semillas the most impactful it can be. He is a deeply compassionate human who shares all of his resources to make sure that vulnerable members in his community have what they need. The world desperately needs more leaders like him, and I am grateful to have journeyed with him and witness his pure goodness lighten up the world!

Seven Charlestin of Las Semillas

Caleb is one of the best conversation partners I have ever had! He is what they call an “old soul,” wise beyond his years. I witnessed a consistent selflessness in him and a deep desire to offer encouragement and inspiration to those who need it most. It’s like a sixth sense in him! I am grateful for his generosity, and I look forward to many more life-changing discussions to come!

Caleb Hylton, Crave V Leader
Caleb Hylton of XponentialCZN

 

I witnessed a complete 180-turn in Shala this year! From shedding tears together over her story when we first met, to watching her confidently navigate ribbon-cuttings, fundraisers, and grant-writing…she is a powerhouse! I believe this journey has encouraged and empowered her to step fully into who she is uniquely gifted to be as a leader and a model for the girls and young women she is serving. I can’t wait to see her continue to shine!

Shala Edwards of Treasure Coast Girls Coalition

 

Lo-Ammi demonstrated such courage this year! Moving from the familiar to the unknown, a bustling metropolitan city to a more rural area, from one job to the next and to the next — he never let fear keep him from taking the next best step forward. And now, he is in the perfect place…giving back to his alma mater, influencing young minds and hearts, and finding supportive community in the midst of it. I am grateful that he radiated light and positivity with us, and he chose the right name for his foundation because he IS greater!

 

Lo-Ammi Richardson of I AM Greater Foundation

 

Pastor Lewis is the epitome of focused leadership. He knows exactly what God has called him to do, and he doesn’t let distractions, obstacles, or frustrations steer him away from that path. I am grateful for the spiritual maturity he bestowed upon us and for sharing his story so authentically and freely. 

Antoniah, brilliance and humility – what a perfect pairing, and that is exactly who she is! She takes time to consider and then contribute, and we are all left better for having communed with her. I am grateful for her vulnerability and how she is always willing to share what is on her heart.

I don’t think anyone participated in more Crave opportunities than Edrewnae! She took on this journey with joy, gentle curiosity, and a clear love of learning and sharing with others. I am grateful for her consistent encouragement and for being the rock I know she is for her family. I want to be like her when I grow up!

Antoniah, Edrewnae, and Anthony Lewis of Ray of Light Ministries

 

I look at Keisha’s travel schedule, events, workshops, and dedication to her grown children and think “how on earth does she do it?” She is a shining example of perseverance and strength, which motivates those around her to keep on keeping on. I am grateful for how she reached out to me when I needed a wise and empathetic listener, and I look forward to growing our friendship!

Mark entered spaces and made everyone feel welcome, seen, and included. He was always ready to learn from others, and like Edrewnae, he was consistently one of the first to show up and one of the last to leave our sessions. I am grateful for his servant leadership that he taught each of us, and I look forward to witnessing how the Lyles’ Brothers Sports Foundation grows with him at the helm!

Keisha and Mark Bishop of Lyles Brothers Sports Foundation

October 2022 – Shala Edwards

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The minutiae of running a nonprofit organization: 5 Greatest Challenges In Nonprofit Management 
 

My name is Shala Edwards, and I am a growing social entrepreneur committed to young women and girls’ empowerment, civic engagement, and economic development. As Founder and Executive Director of Treasure Coast Girls Coalition Inc, development director, and professional speaker, I inspire people to lead, serve, and make their mark on the world. Over the past nine years, my professional experience includes roles such as grant writer, digital literacy specialist, and social media marketer. 

This week, I was feeling overwhelmed by the volume of work required to run a non-for-profit. I made a list of all of the items on my to-do list right now, and discovered they fall into 5 categories:

  1. Fundraising: It’s scary and there’s lots of uncertainty. We need seed-funding. We need to secure unrestricted and ongoing funding. We need monthly donors. We have to explore the various giving platforms, and learn how to apply for grants. We have to create – and stick to – a budget. We have to save for capital expenditures for vehicles and buildings. Running a nonprofit is an arduous effort, not unlike running a for-profit business! 
  2. Hiring staff/finding volunteers: Building human capital and attracting the right people who are committed to furthering the mission is probably the biggest job. We are looking for people who have shared core values and a common vision about our organization. To build a culture and sense of community with all staff and volunteers is vital to the success of any organization, takes intentionality, and a lot of thinking and planning. 
  3. Establishing a sound board structure: How do you determine who has the final say? As Founder and CEO it has been primarily my responsibility to make final decisions. With the establishment of a Board of Directors, some who are new to our mission and community, I find the need to establish decision-making guidelines, so the guidance and assessment of community and client needs are considered first. 
  4. Using Technology effectively: There are so many options! So much to learn – QuickBooks, Moneyminder, PayPal, Cashapp, Zelle, Venmo, Salesforce, MailChimp, DocuSign, etc. It’s important to establish systems and processes that support the organization’s capacity and growth, subscriptions, website and building social channels. 
  5. Compliance: Annual reporting for the state, IRS, and professional development and certifications associated with grant funding, Dept. of AG, and Level II background screenings, 990 filings, audits and CPA review of finances. Phew!

In the face of adversity and shared challenges, I find myself often exhausted yet grateful for the opportunities and people who support me throughout my journey as a nonprofit visionary and founder. Walking in favor of God has allowed me to cross paths with Crave of Florida Inc. and individuals like Shelly Denmark, who helped me grow my network and organization in several areas. Chantel Aquart has been a phenomenal cheerleader and her roar reaches me from afar. Although I’m buried in a lengthy “to do list” it is being done in obedience and faith. Hebrews 11 reminds me I don’t have to know it all or have it all together, but faith is required. 

The professional development workshops and spiritual formation sessions with my fellow cohorts, alongside the support from Katrina Jackson in creating a budget for an awarded proposal confirms for me that with grit and grace, I’m able to withstand and stretch wide. The more I learn, the wiser I become. I feel deeply grateful to have met Arlene Blake and now have her as a mentor. There’s power in mentorship, which has been instrumental in the seeds of change for TCGC. I’ve grown exponentially in just a short time, but it’s been a fantastic experience. Growth inevitably teaches you things, and the more challenges we face, the more we can feel for others. For that alone, I will stand on the promise and keep going with whatever challenges life throws my way. 

Shala Edwards 
Crave V Leader

September 2022 – Lo-Ammi Richardson

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Make the Commitment to Your Goals!

Have you ever set a goal and then failed to meet it? In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to get locked in a loop of creating goals, then immediately abandoning them and failing to meet them.

What motivates us to do it? One of the biggest causes is because we aren’t invested enough in our goal. Without commitment, a goal loses value over time and becomes much easier to abandon, especially when obstacles arise and cause setbacks and delays.

One thing I’ve discovered since joining the Crave community is that I wasn’t the only one who felt overwhelmed and discouraged, believing it was impossible to achieve my objective. Having a community to draw on, on the other hand, has been a big help in keeping me from giving up on my dream.

One thing I’ve committed to doing is making a solid pledge and constantly reminding myself of it; as a result, I’m more likely to adhere to my plan and achieve my objective.

Here are some ideas for making and keeping promises to yourself.

1) Your first step should be to ensure that each objective and goal you establish is really important to you. This is difficult because we frequently deceive ourselves into thinking we desire one thing when we truly want something else.

Take your time with this phase and make sure you truly understand what you want.

What exactly is your goal or objective? What will you get from it? Who will benefit from your passion project? What benefits will you get from it? What difference will it make in the lives of others? How will you feel after it’s finished and accomplish your goal?

Write everything down and keep it close by so you can refer to it if you start to lose interest. These are the things I learned during my monthly Crave meetings. Knowing what my objective is and putting it in the forefront of my mind allows me to chip away at it even on the days I don’t feel like doing anything or don’t feel motivated.

Also, consider whether the effort and sacrifices required to achieve your goal are worthwhile. You’re on the correct path if you can honestly say “yes.”

2) Consider what will happen if you do not keep your promises. If you haven’t already, I’d like you to consider it and raise the stakes.

My commitment to influencing inner-city youth is not only a passion for me, but also a goal that I must achieve. Why? Because people’s lives are on the line. Who will give them a chance to win in life if I don’t? Who will give them opportunities for them to attend college if I do not provide scholarships? If I don’t supply those resources, who will? Who will be the men of influence to the young men who don’t have positive male influence in their lives? If I quit, these kids will miss out on the opportunity to live a meaningful and impactfulful life. A life that they can become positive influencers in their own community. The stakes are too high for me to walk away from this goal.

This is why you must prioritize your goal over anything else. If you don’t, horrible things will happen. You should do it even if you have to make up somethings. Play up the fact that you’ll lose respect for yourself if you don’t do it, or that you’ll have to give up something you enjoy if you don’t. Raise the stakes!

3) Then, every day, make a new vow to yourself. When your goal is new and your motivation is high, it’s simple to be committed, but you must be able to STAY committed no matter what happens.

Every morning when you wake up, look over the goal or project. Sit down every day and remind yourself how important this goal is. Promise yourself that you will do everything you can that day and every day until you attain your objective.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether or not your goals will be achieved. If you want to achieve your objectives, you must find the motivation to keep going. Not accomplishing anything and putting things off are bad habits that we all must break.

Changing poor habits into more positive and useful ones is as simple as taking things one day at a time and trying your best to make a difference. The more committed and determined you are to achieving your objective, the more probable it is that you will succeed.

When it comes down to it, no one else can do what you want to do as well as you can. If you want to be successful, you must find the determination to keep going.

In most situations, idleness and procrastination are simply bad habits that must be broken. Changing those behaviors into more constructive and helpful ones is as simple as taking things one day at a time and putting in as much effort as possible to bring about life improvements. The more committed and concentrated you are on reaching your goal, the more likely you will be successful. This is what I Crave (pun intended). I want to impact young people. Why? Because if I don’t, people’s lives will be jeopardized. This is why I value this community. Even on days when I don’t want to keep going, there are individuals that believe in what I’m trying to accomplish, and on days that I feel like quitting I know that there is a whole community rooting for me and I can’t let my community down.

Lo-Ammi Richardson‘s experiences have led him to become the motivational speaker. He travels nationally and internationally touching the lives of many young people. He is a part of the Crave Family, participating as part of the Crave V cohort in 2022.