The Activist for Activists. Author of Make a Difference with Mental Health Activism and The Happy Activist: Journey the 5-Step Activism Path to Focus Your Passion and Change the World. Teacher, Psychologist, Environmental Activist, Animal Lover.
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Last Updated on October 23, 2024
Matching your gifts to the needs of the community is the fourth step to getting started in activism. So, after you find your passion, identify your skills, and understand your motivation, use what you’ve learned to match with the right activism opportunity.
Match Your Gifts To Community Needs
Consider your passions, skills, and motivations to find the best activism match. The gifts you bring can be matched with the needs of your community. For example, when you created your vision of an ideal world, where did you see gaps where change needs to happen? How can you use your gifts to make the change you want to see?
Check Out The Intersection
If you have multiple interests, look for the intersection of those interests to make a unique contribution. For example, use the overlapping circles (Venn diagram) to analyze the intersection of your skills, interests, and causes.
At the intersection of the three circles, find creative options. So, experiment with combinations of your interests to see what unique opportunity pops up.
For example, if you are skilled in teaching and drawing, and you want to prevent racism, what work is possible for your cause? Perhaps you can teach a course on helping racism victims tell their stories through art.
[Like their results? Use The Happy Activist, too!]
Effective Activism
In a previous post, I showed you how to apply effective altruism to effective activism. When you are passionate about a cause you want your work to make a difference. So, check to see if an activism opportunity meets these criteria:
- You can impact many lives
- The potential for change is strong
- This cause needs attention
- Your skills fit the opportunity
- You have the knowledge you need
- The opportunity fits your motivation
The stronger the match of these criteria to the opportunity, the best chance for you to make the change you want to see in the world.
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How Clarifying Your Gifts Helps You Use Your Talents for Good
In my book The Happy Activist, I offer tools to focus your passion, pinpoint your gifts, and find the right activism opportunity. As the Sufi Mystic poet Rumi says, “now is not the time to stay home.” So, open the door, step out, and start the challenging work of making change.
Getting started in activism.
Browse How to Get Started in Activism
Browse How To Make Impact With Your Activism
New Year’s Resolution: Change the World
How to Start in Activism: What’s in it for Me?
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