Analysis Paralysis: "But I just want to help!"

We traveled to Europe last week (London for work, Edinburgh for fun!) and on the way home I binged Season 2 of “Loot” on Apple TV.   Well, almost all of Season 2 – the finale comes out today! If you haven’t seen it, “Loot” is a comedy very loosely based on MacKenzie Scott, a US philanthropist who donates billions of dollars each year. 

In “Loot”, comedic genius Maya Rudolph plays Molly Wells, a woman who as a result of her divorce from a jerky tech billionaire suddenly finds herself single and rudderless, with $87 billion dollars to spend.  It’s a combination of a classic fish out of water story (super-rich woman now goes to work! Has new friends who live paycheck to paycheck! Doesn’t know how to take care of herself! What’s a PDF?!) and a feel-good journey of self-discovery (pledging to give away her entire wealth to those in need).  It’s funny and heartwarming. 

Watch Loot - Apple TV+

And then on Tuesday – still a bit groggy from the return to Eastern time – I saw an announcement from Melinda French Gates.  Upon her exit from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, she will spend $1 billion of her wealth over the next two years to focus on advocating for the rights of women and families around the world through her own organization, Pivotal.  According to French Gates, “…only about 2 percent of charitable giving in the United States goes to organizations focused on women and girls, and only about half a percentage point goes to organizations focused on women of color specifically.”

Opinion | Melinda French Gates’s Philanthropy - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

These women – Scott and French Gates – are using a painful event in their lives and trying to do good with it.  [I will not entertain any of the BS about they didn’t “earn” that money.  They were instrumental in the creation and success of Amazon and Microsoft, respectively.]  It takes a lot of courage to have your personal life and its challenges be in the public domain for everyone’s inspection and decide to use that spotlight to shine on others in need.  Yes, I’m sure it's easier when you have billions of dollars.  They are highly privileged individuals. And they acknowledge that. But billionaires may still have human emotions (still being confirmed).

Money of this magnitude can drive meaningful change.  And the decision to focus the investment in specific areas of need is a powerful one. 

This is a choice we all make, whether with our household budget, our charitable giving, our company’s capital expenditure pool for the year.  When we have limited resources and there are so many needs, how do you decide? Is it better to make a large investment in one area to make meaningful change? Or spread it around to give a little help to more people?

If this is the point in the blog where you expect that I have some snappy quip with the “answer” …. prepare to be disappointed!

Both methods have merit. There is no wrong way to help people and organizations you care about.  Some years you may spread it around.  Other years, you may make one sizeable donation or investment of time. 

Here’s the message, though:  Don’t get paralyzed into doing nothing for fear that you will make the wrong choice.  Not making a choice is a choice.

How do I know? I’ve been stuck in that paralysis for a couple of years.  And I hate that feeling. I’m decisive at work.  I assess risks and benefits. All day, every day. Like a machine. But when it comes to personal charitable projects – I get completely overwhelmed.

There is so much need in the world.  Where do I start? How should I focus? Animals? Girls in STEM? Disenfranchised communities? Education? Hunger? What is the best way to use my privilege to make a lasting impact in the world? 

And so my goal for the rest of 2024 is simple: Figure. It. Out.

Start small. Make a plan. See how it goes. Make adjustments. Try again. See what feels right. See where I can make an impact. Stay tuned for an update on my progress later this year.

I may not have billions of dollars like MacKenzie, Melinda or the fictional Molly.  But they are still inspirations to do what you can with what you have. Even if it isn’t monetary at all, but something more valuable: your time and your passion.

There is more than one way to be good.