People come to my workshops and buy my books because they are focused on activism. But they come away with much more.
What People are Saying
I wasn’t expecting this to be the workshop’s highlight, but I loved creating my bucket list.
I read just recently that if it is truly your calling that it will energize you while you are doing it. Teaching has always been my calling and it definitely energizes me!
This offers a different way to think about bucket lists. Instead of “Things to do before I die,” it guides you to “Things to do to make life better while I’m alive.”
What a great idea to condense our passions into relatable language. I need to ponder this.
Terri Lyon has written a thoughtful and intentional book that will serve as a valuable gift to all who take time to read and internalize her message of ‘claiming’ what you choose to write on your sign. In gratitude.
And sometimes we need a reminder of our ordinary superpowers, those gifts that spring naturally from us.
What People are Saying
I like the idea of using my strengths in activism.
Sometimes volunteers have all of the best intentions but are not given proper training. It makes it impossible to do a great job.
What a great reminder that we can apply the skills we’ve developed on the job or in life to activism. We don’t have to do whatever we come across or are asked to do. We can actively seek opportunities to help in the most effective way possible with the strengths we each bring to the table.
The book works you through simple yet powerful analyses of different aspects of your life–education, experience, hobbies, and talents–to help identify an activist opportunity that will be perfect for you. Chapters offer guidance on talking with other volunteers to assess how they feel about their volunteer experiences, asking the right questions to leaders about how they treat volunteers and checking back in with yourself to determine if your volunteer work is making a difference and making you happy.
Do Activism You Love
Activism – what’s in it for me?
That sounds terrible, doesn’t it? But research supports the idea that choosing an activism method that you love will keep you motivated and make you more effective.
Love the SMART acronym. Easy to remember and applicable for all kinds of goals. I like that you talk about it specifically with activism in mind here. So many people want to affect change and might be spinning wheels without a plan like yours.
I have always been a person who makes plans before I begin anything – this SMART plan is truly worth trying.
The terminology, “Mixed-up Motivation,” is not one I was familiar with but I certainly know the feeling of being punished with more work for doing a good job. Harkens back to the old saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
It gives you hope.
This is really thought-provoking and has certainly made me challenge myself as a white Brit living in an affluent middle-class area of south London. “Identify areas where you can grow in the process of dismantling privilege” – strong words that I will be sharing with my family.
I came to recognize my own hidden prejudices and privileges. I continue to examine myself as society turns itself inside out finding excuses. There are no excuses. Just un-examined lives. Tonight will be reflective.
If you are looking for an easy to read, beginner’s guide to becoming an activist, Terri Lyon has written “What’s on Your Sign” just in time. The reader will discover valuable tools designed to support the strategic examination of personal gifts, values, motivations, and opportunities as they set and achieve activism goals. In the current climate, many of us are searching for purposeful action that positively impacts the causes about which we care. This guidebook for activists will illuminate your path!
I read just recently that if it is truly your calling that it will energize you while you are doing it. Teaching has always been my calling and it definitely energizes me!
Make A Difference
How many new activists head to the streets and start protesting many different causes? That isn’t effective or sustainable.
I’ve always known I want to get involved in some sort of activity that will positively impact my community. I had no idea where to start and after reading What’s On Your Sign? I identified an area of interest I had always taken for granted but never considered for activism. It helped me evaluate my experiences and identify my relevant qualifications, and has focused my search for the ideal organization with which to become involved.
I often sign online petitions, and this has made me think about why I do that.
If you want to make a positive difference in the world but aren’t sure where to start, then read this book. Don’t just read it, but also go through the exercises that Terri Lyon has carefully prepared. If you put in the time and effort, these exercises will lead you to your purpose in life and show you how to be an effective advocate for the cause that is dearest to your heart.
Plan for maximum activism impact. Effective performance is a mixture of the right skills, knowledge, motivation, and circumstances. As you begin your activism, improve your odds of making a positive impact.
Stay motivated in your activism. Identify ways to stay motivated in your activism work using goal-setting and self-management tools. You will celebrate your accomplishments and adjust your goals if needed.
What People are Saying
I have been taking small steps to lessen my footprint. Now I need to think about how I can apply my particular skill set and strengths to having a bigger impact on saving the environment.
I love this because the focus is not on ‘me,’ ‘I,’ and ‘myself.’ but directs you to think about the world. The first go-to option is where we could get a higher ROI for that buck. A great list that gives options and insight of not only using the voice but the wallet too to reflect what you value.
As always, you’ve written about a topic that touches me. Cheering you on.
This easy-to-read book is for anyone searching for ways to get involved in activism. It provides a step-by-step approach to help you identify your interests and passions, identify your skills and the qualifications they bring (or determine what skills you will need to develop!), identify the programs or organizations that are right for your interests and skill set, and to help you evaluate whether your activism is making the differences in your community you want to make.
I am not a sign-toting, march-going activist but through her book I found ways to bring change in the places that matter to me in a way that works for my personality. I felt inspired and encouraged due to her step-by-step layout from finding my passion to making a difference. This is more than a go-get-em type of book. It has practical steps and ideas that bring you through the process if you are a beginner activist or someone who needs an infusion of centered focus.
The first step in the path is finding your passion. I don’t just ask you to identify the cause closest to your heart, though. I also guide you to:
Activism – what’s in it for me?
How many new activists head to the streets and start protesting many different causes? That isn’t effective or sustainable.
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