How Bold Are You?

Are You Bold?

Quiz

Bold is as bold does. This quiz is here to help you do a little soul-searching. It's meant to make you think. Prepare to discover yourself for you might be surprised!

1. There is a social problem that plagues me. If I had a magic wand, it is the first problem I would solve. And so far, this is what I have done:
I am working and creating change in the field right now or getting the skills I need to bring about those changes.
Where is that magic wand? Waiting, waiting, waiting.
I have given or will give money and my free time to people/organizations that are trying to solve this problem.
Why isn't anyone doing anything about this problem? I am too depressed to even try.

2. A meaningful career, to me, means:
I haven't made any plans beyond this weekend.
Doing well enough to enjoy life and support wonderful nonprofit organizations that are doing good work.
A nice, safe job, promotions at work, and meaningful relationships with colleagues.
Working in or running a social change organization, driving lasting change in my community.

3. The public figure I identify with the most is:
Bono
Jessica Simpson
Nelson Mandela
Bill Gates

4. This is how I responded or will respond to my moment of obligation:
Took a deep breath and committed myself to follow its promise.
Did not take it up, but did or will do my best to support others who were doing the work I want to do.
Promised myself, Later, when I am not so busy/tired/broke.
Left my job the next day because it was in the way and created a meaningful plan of action to fulfill my obligation.

5. I am traveling in a part of the world that is famous for its handicraft jewelry. The dollar conversion rates are very favorable. This is what I do:
Bargain with the local artisans, buy a thousand handmade bracelets, bring them back to Los Angeles and sell them at thirty times the price each.
Ugh! I hate thinking of money. What's a dollar conversion rate?
Buy bracelets for my grandmother, colleagues, ex-girlfriends, current girlfriends, future girlfriends or anything to contribute to the local economy.
Start a cooperative for local artisans to create and import their goods at fair trade prices.

6. This is why I read the news:
I pursue news about social and political issues that are important to me so that I am well-prepared to work in those fields and can create a deeper impact.
Because I am bored at work and I find myself browsing aimlessly.
I need to be in the know so I can talk intelligently at cocktail parties.
So I can find out what's in fashion, who divorced who and what serial killer has been caught.

7. This is what I did with the wonderful new and untested idea for social change I came up with:
I am testing my idea out by talking it over with friends and experts.
I haven't had a new idea since 1999.
Having ideas is fun! Acting on them is boring!
Did my research, developed my plan. My idea is in action.

8. Money is tight in my organization. So, this is what I do:
Enough is enough! Quit.
Scale down our mission and cut the budget by half.
Throw a friend-raiser and convince Alicia Keys to come.
What's a credit card for? And my parents' retirement fund?

9. I have come up with a brilliant device that will convert orange peel to eco-friendly fuel "Orange Turns To Oil" (OTTO). But everyone I talk it over with starts laughing. I have done my research, the device seems foolproof. But there is no support for it. My reaction:
Maybe I need more research? Back to the drawing board.
Reach out to Sierra Club, Greenpeace and Save the Planet U.S.A. and try to get their support for OTTO.
Regretfully abandon the OTTO. At least I tried.
Go for it on my own! I am going to build a hundred devices and distribute them free to orange juice manufacturers on the condition that the peel will be recycled through the OTTO and the fuel used for transportation.

10. My community-based social change organization has successfully achieved its mission. The organization is no longer needed. What's next?
Go with the flow - something will come up.
Write a book about my experiences, give speeches to other organizations, and disseminate the lessons I learned.
Replicate this model in another community, using the lessons I learned to build a better organization.
Sit back and relax. Time to ask not what you can do for society; ask what society can do for you.

11. Off the top of my head, the boldest of these is:
Starting a reconciliation movement in a region that's torn by civil war.
Walking on a tightrope over the Niagara Falls.
Wearing jeans and a t-shirt to a black tie dinner.
Quitting my job to travel and volunteer in Asia.

12. This is how I take risks:
I dive, but never from too high.
It’s called a risk for a good reason. I never take risks.
I like rushing in where angels fear to tread and then find myself wishing I hadn't.
I think before I dive, but I have definitely dived a few times.

13. I work in a nonprofit organization that mobilizes citizens against war. One of my team members quit because she is disillusioned and feels that her work is not accomplishing anything. This is how I reacted:
I listened to her patiently but did not try to talk her out of it. There is no place for a disillusioned person in this field of work. So I sent her off with good wishes.
I did not. Her decision is her decision, and to be honest, I feel disillusioned myself sometimes. Maybe even, most times.
We sat down for a heart-to-heart talk and I shared with her the stories of my own failures and desperate moments. I convinced her to see possibilities even amidst the failures.
I took her out for lunch and suggested she take a vacation to rethink her decision.

14. My grandchildren will remember me for:
All the generous gifts I give them - from toys to trust funds.
My impeccable sense of style - nobody else can carry off a fur stole the way I can.
Letting them know how good they have it and how hard it was in the old days.
Putting them to work in the community garden I founded as soon as they were old enough to hold a watering can.

15. I read a new book that gave me bold new ideas about creating a meaningful career in the nonprofit world (hint, hint). My response:
Book? What book?
Must reread it someday and act on it. In the meantime, there is life to be lived.
Use the book as a handbook to chart my own path in the social sector.
Pass the book along to some friends who will really enjoy it too.

sharrell