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
Obstacles can get in the way in our lives and stop us from doing what we want to do. I head to a meeting, and my car breaks down. My dog wants a walk, but I don’t have time. I want to work on task A, but my boss insists on task B.
Removing potential obstacles improves my chances of success. I can’t predict my car is going to break down when I head to a meeting, but if I drive an old car, better maintenance and roadside service will help. I want to take my dog for a walk, and he wants it, too. So I schedule time in my planner.
Maximize Your Performance
You want to make a difference in your activism work, so consider all aspects of performance. Set yourself up for success. Read more about how to do this at How to Make Powerful Change in Your Activism.
Instructional design guru Robert Mager encourages us to take a broad view of performance and how it can be improved. His guide to effective performance is asking these questions:
- Skill and Knowledge Test. Can you do the task if your life depends on it?
- Motivation Test. Is the task rewarding when you do it right? Is the task punishing when you do it wrong?
- Obstacle Test. If skill, knowledge, and motivation are not issues but performance is still a problem, can you get tools or remove obstacles?
In this post, you examine the third question – do you need to remove obstacles or get tools?
Activism Obstacles
In an activism setting, obstacles may include:
- To launch a campaign for city council, a candidate must raise funds. Having the skill, knowledge, and motivation is fantastic, but she will also need funding for success.
- You want to attend a rally, but your partner questions your safety and asks you not to go. This situation needs a conversation with your partner about how you are ensuring your safety and whether that quells his or her fears. Then you can attend the rally without damaging your relationship.
Activism Tools
The right tools make tasks easier. Even with the right skills, knowledge, and motivation, the lack of proper tools will hamper performance.
In an activism setting lack of tools might look like this:
- I don’t have the right software to compile a mailing list.
- My mailings need to go out but I have no postage stamps.
- I need a clear backpack to meet the requirements for entry into a protest area.
Removing obstacles and getting the right tools will pave the way to making the change you want in the world.
Learn More about Maximizing Your Performance
- How To Make Powerful Change In Your Activism
- What You Can Do and What Your Know Will Change The World
- How to Fix Your Mixed-Up Motivation
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