It’s approaching the midnight hour and I’m writing a blog post. I can’t say that’s typical. There’s not enough data to support it, this being my second blog post on this here blog. What has been typical is waiting to late in a given period to do anything productive. You know, like late at night or days before a deadline. But enough about goals that hang precariously from artificial time constraints. What I want to talk about are goals wrapped around Extra Life.
But what is Extra Life, you may ask. Those of you who know me already know the spiel but those of you, I’m sure that 99.999999999999 of the world’s population (which might as well be 100%) doesn’t know me. Let me give a little run down on that is Extra Life.
Extra Life is a charity organization that has a prime focus is to raise money for children hospitals which are in the Children’s Miracle Network of hospitals. It was started in memory of a young woman who was an avid gamer. The primary folks who raise the money are gamers themselves. One of the main events that is known for Extra Life is a 24 hour gaming marathon that happens in November of each year.
It’s a great organization that has existed for about 10 years now. For 2017, over $10 million was raised which is a significant chunk of change. I have officially participated in Extra Life for 3 years, this being my 4th. Unofficially, 4 years. Each year, I play in support of Seattle Children’s Hospital. And that leads me finally to some goals.
Usually, in a fund raising space, there are goals to work towards. That’s no different in Extra Life. Participants set money goals which we all strive to achieve. Some don’t make it and others go beyond. Any kind of funds coming is a good thing. Extra Life isn’t a zero sum game. Every little bit helps. Sometimes, it’s helpful to create some other goals or incentives that are not money related but helps achieve those amounts.
In my unofficial year, I offered up to do a video of me lip syncing to the song “Let it Go” from Frozen if my son, who was the one doing it that year, and his friend roped in $100 on the day of the marathon. They managed to pull in $100. And below is the result of that goal.
That was the first extended goal I put forth for Extra Life. I still get a few chuckles from co-workers after I tell them this exists. But it was fun to do.
The next year, I actually participated in Extra Life. I set the fund raising goal at $150 and the first extended goal at $200 (I think). I liked the “Let It Go” video enough to want to give it another go. The extended goal for 2016 was going to be another lip sync video, this time set to either Justin Timberlake or Spice Girls. Sadly, I didn’t reach the goal, squeaking by with $100. But looking on the positive side of things, that’s $100 more Seattle Children’s than they had before.
Fast forward to 5 months ago. I was on the fence to participate again in Extra Life. I was going in by myself again. I wasn’t feeling confident about hitting my goal again. I finally pushed myself over and committed to the marathon event, setting a goal of $200 which I thought was a high mountain to climb, but not impossible. I also added another extended goal at $300, again saying I would do another lip sync video. At the time, I didn’t have an idea what song. I had low hopes of even reaching it. So it was a donor suggested poll.
The first few days after I joined didn’t really amount to anything. That was fine and was really kind of expected given my experience last year. The $300 goal seemed pretty safe.
And here is where it went off the rails, but not like into the canyon below, but I got onto the Galaxy Express 999 and headed for the stars. Well, there were some things that went wrong. From a certain point of view. I shared my fund raising activities with my newly formed team at work.
And wow. That first day, the $200 dollar level was shattered. I mean faster than a starship slicing through a larger ship at hyperspace speeds. Just not as visually spectacular.
The $300 fundraising level was quickly met, too, which you can watch below.
I was totally unprepared and had no other goals created. I reached out for ideas on what to do next. And one particular was shouted the loudest. I couldn’t protest because I asked for ideas and the funds were continuing to come in. The Rick Roll of goals was insisted. Yes, I will be making another video with me filling in for Rick Astley on his video “Never Gonna Give You Up” which is still in pre-production. Look for this goal in the spring of 2018.
After the goal that fell out of my hands and went viral, I stepped up and filled in goals at the $1000, get my hair dyed, and $2000, tattoo, levels. And here is a lesson to be careful on goal selection. I hit both levels before my self imposed deadline. Setting goals and things you will do for those goals is a great way to help propel your fund raising to new levels. As I found out unexpectedly last year. That new level was over $2500.
2018 will be my 4th year officially participating in Extra Life. This is the first year that I have started this early, though. I have a good nine or so months before the primary 24 hour event. And being this early, I haven’t really thought about those goals yet. I think I will continue with doing a lip sync at the $300 level and probably the hair dye at $1000. Other goals will be thought of and will be looking for ideas, too.
Extra Life is more than doing novelty things. It’s about bringing the millions of kids a year and their families who go to a Children’s Miracle Network hospital a chance to not worry about the bottom line and just concentrate on getting better. But if getting a tattoo and making my hair the color of the open sea is enough incentive for someone to donate, then it’s worth it.
Here’s a link to my fund raising page this year.
https://www.extra-life.org/participant/296801
I hope you can take a moment and donate a few dollars. It’s all for the kids and that chance to have me do something funky (like the funky chicken?).
A Wrinkle in Silver 