“I’ve learned that if you wait long enough, you might get a second chance at something you gave up on. And sometimes you’ll be the one to give the second chance to someone else.” ― Wendy Mass, 13 Gifts
I learned an interesting lesson in the past few weeks, about the power of a second try or a second chance and not giving up simply because your first inquiry did not achieve the desired outcome.
Over a year ago, I had tried connecting with an organization to discuss how we could partner together to save more lives. I often do reach outs to many different organizations and the majority of them do not bother to respond to my inquiry.
This particular organization was different in that I remember the response because it was very arrogant, condescending and not kind. The organization director was essentially scoffing at what I had built with Doobert, and indicated that not only would they not be interested but that it served no purpose as volunteers could not possibly band together to save enough animals. Instead of saying “No, Thank You,” this founder chose to assert his dominance and expertise and demean my efforts in the process.
The point of this story is that recently I was connected in an email thread to this same organization, but the connection was with a different person. I figured that I was wasting my time reaching out again and that I was likely exposing myself for more abuse, but something in me reminded my skeptical self to not give up and to give people a second chance; give them the second chance I wish someone would give me when I’m having a bad day.
As you might have guessed by this point, the response from this new person from the same organization was 180 degrees different from my first interaction. The original founder had left the organization, and the new director was working to rebuild relationships, collaborate on new ideas and was very open, amenable and appreciative of my reach out. To be honest I was a little taken aback as I had written this organization off in my mind as one that was not worth my time. But this new director completely changed my perspective and caused me to re-think how I could be giving people a second chance in my dealings.
We all have ups and downs in our life and when you’re in the animal rescue world, the emotion, drama and hopelessness can sometimes get the best of us. This recent interaction taught me that things change, people change and for sure organizations change. Never close and lock the door on a potential to work with someone. Closing the door may be what you need to do right now to protect yourself, your organization and your sanity, but remember that the door is still there, ready to be re-opened when the time is right. Give it another shot before you send it off to the proverbial “Monster’s, Inc.” door shredder. Give them a second chance…
