Rome Wasn't Built In a Day

I have been fortunate to work with many colleagues across our industry and have had the opportunity to mentor them at various stages of their careers. I often find myself using a phrase that I had to learn at the beginning of my career - Rome wasn’t built in a day.

It has taken the UIndy Greyhound Club over 20 years to get to where it is today. From the beginning we had large goals, but knew it would take time to complete them in the proper manner and with positive results. Patience and dedication will get your further in the long run than having something tangible too soon. Whatever you set out to do….make sure that it is sustainable and something that you can build on.

Rome wasn’t built in a day - but they were laying bricks every hour. Your goals and plans need a solid foundation to support the city you want to build. If the foundational bricks are weak or hastily laid down - the entire city will come tumbling down!

Small tasks should never be underestimated - in the end the details are what count. With a flexible attitude and a realistic time frame, the proper foundation can be built instead of forcing a brick into a slot where it doesn’t perfectly fit. After some time, the bricks you have been laying will start to look like a building. And several buildings later, you’ll have the empire you are dreaming of today. Without the solid foundation, you have nothing. Remember - growth and important work take time.

At UIndy we have grown our annual contributors from 30 people 20 years ago to approximately 2000 annual donors now. Naturally, there was plenty of room for growth when we started but the keys to our success were expanding the number of people that we reached out to, being great at thanking donors for their support, working hard to cultivate new relationships, and repeating that process year after diligent year.

Shake off the pressure to rush in and fix things now. Make sure that every short term goal that you’re working on is tied to a long term solution. Build your programs in a methodical, mission-centered way and you’ll find the keys to sustainable, long-term success.

Matt Donovan

Sr. Assoc. A.D. - University of Indianapolis