Among the many skills attributed to Steve Jobs was his ability to create a “reality distortion field”—a mental force he created to persuade himself and others to believe almost anything.

Colleagues from early days note it was this skill that enabled Jobs and his team to develop the original Macintosh computer and deliver the software in the unheard-of period of just 10 months.  And that skill that enabled Jobs to envision and motivate Apple teams to design and deliver a series of world-changing products ranging from the iPod to the iPhone over the years.

Those who have studied the reality distortion field phenomenon (recommend you read Sir John Hargrave’s Mind Hacking: How to Change Your Mind for Good in 21 Days)believe we all have the ability to create our own reality distortion field, right now.  At this very moment.

Your reality distortion field, which is operating right now according to Sir John, “defines who you are, your abilities, limitations strengths, weaknesses, and on and on.  This is the reality you project to the world about yourself.  And that perceived realitybecomes actualreality.  You believe it. Others believe it.  And when you get down to it, all that’s required for reality: that we all believe it.”

Can the reality distortion field work for your fundraising?

The answer is “yes”.  And this week we’ll set forth examples of how and why you can translate a perceived reality into an actual reality that you and your donors believe in.

Regular Agitator readers no doubt noted Nick’s occasional Star Trek references.  Well, the term “reality distortion field” comes from a two-part Star Trek episode titled The Menageriein which the crew finds a planet called Talos, whose inhabitants are able to create virtual realities in the minds of other people and create a new world through sheer mental force.

While not invoking Star Trek in this series, Nick outlines how the core concepts and tactics of the reality distortion field work when it comes to making your case for support and communicating with donors.

Tomorrow, the importance of good verbs— “Imagine”, “remember”, “picture in your mind” –and how to communicate using the vision and mind’s eye of the donor.

Wednesday, why understanding –and employing– the concepts of “donor commitment” and “donor identity” –main components of a donor’s love for your organization –will make for much higher retention rates and bottom lines.

Thursday, metaphors matter. For example, whether you phrase a campaign as a “war” against climate change or a “race” against climate change makes a big difference.  Nick will alert you to the dangers –and opportunities—of the “metaphor gap.”

Friday, the problem of “scope insensitivity.”  In this post Nick explains the behavioral science behind all the warnings that statistics and big numbers are bad news for fundraising. He’ll share some test results from DonorVoice on why the rule, “Bring large numbers down to the one” is so important.

The important takeaway from this week’s posts is this:  how an organization describes itself and its work form self-fulfilling prophecies.  What’s so exciting about your organization’s reality distortion field is that it can be changed. It’s in your power to choose –for better or worse–what you and your donors think about your organization.

Thinking anything is possible doesn’t mean it’s possible next week.  But if you make a plan for what you want to achieve by way of changing perceptions you can indeed transform today’s reality into a more powerful, effective reality tomorrow.

Think differently. Use your imagination. Deploy some of the tactics Nick suggests and watch reality change. May this fundraising force be with you.

Roger