How to stay motivated in your activism? On this page, you’ll learn to plan with a set goals worksheet, create a self-care kit, and celebrate your accomplishments.
Making a difference in the world is exhilarating. Still, even the most passionate activists can sometimes find the journey challenging. Even if you have matched your passions and gifts to your activism, life as an activist can be stressful. But there are ways you can make sure you stay motivated in your activism.
Your motivation matters because it sustains your impact, prevents activism burnout, and inspires others in your movement.
To stay motivated so you can continue to make a difference for your cause, focus on these steps.
Create a plan. Set goals and check your progress to ensure you are making a difference.
Set up a self-care kit, monitor your stress levels, and use coping strategies if necessary.
Always celebrate your accomplishments.
Create a Plan
Set Goals to Stay Motivated
Activism can be demanding, but with a solid plan in place, it doesn’t have to be draining. A clear roadmap that outlines your goals and the steps needed to achieve them will help you stay motivated.
Research supports goal setting as a way to improve your performance. You can track your progress and celebrate each milestone by setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. SMART goals have a built-in way to check your progress.
To stay motivated, it’s crucial to regularly check in on your progress. Seeing the impact of your work—whether through tangible results or your personal growth—can help you stay motivated. Regular reflection helps ensure that your efforts are aligned with your goals and that you’re on track to make a lasting difference.
Goals work to keep you motivated and focused. Setting goals for your activism will make you more effective, especially if you make them a bit difficult. Why? Goals allow you to focus, provide feedback, and enable you to make the change you wish to see in the world.
A clear roadmap that outlines your goals and the steps needed to achieve them will help you stay motivated. Ask yourself:
What change do I want to see?
What steps can I take to get there?
How will I measure success?
Use SMART Goals
Research supports goal setting as a way to improve your performance. You can track your progress and celebrate each milestone using a set goals worksheet. Use a well-tested approach called SMART goals. The SMART acronym offers a mechanism for ensuring your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.
SMART Element
Definition
Specific
Be clear about the action you will perform.
Measurable
Make it specific and measurable.
Achievable
Ensure your behavior is achievable, not unrealistic.
Relevant
Check whether it is important to your work.
Timely
List when you will perform this work.
Set Goals: Worksheet
Use a set goals worksheet to outline your objectives, break them into actionable steps, and track your progress. Here is an example:
SMART Element
Example
Specific
Implement a distributed organizing campaign to increase the number of activists in my county.
Measurable
Right now, there are 17 official activists in his county. My goal is to increase that number to 100.
Achievable
Yes, based on the number of people on the mailing list with zip codes in the county.
Relevant
Yes, with increased volunteer engagement, we can better fight mining permits and transition to clean energy.
Timely
I will roll out the organizing campaign on social media in the first month. In the second month, I will target the mailing list with personal telephone calls. In month three, I will schedule our first get-together. Training will follow.
Checking your progress regularly ensures that you’re making a difference and helps you adjust your approach as needed.
SMART goals have a built-in way to check your progress. This structure provides motivation and direction when the work feels overwhelming. Regular reflection helps ensure that your efforts are aligned with your goals and that you’re on track to make a lasting difference.
Prioritizing mental and emotional well-being ensures that you can stay in the fight for the long haul.
What stresses you? How do you know when you need to take a breath? This will vary as everyone experiences stress in diverse ways. Understanding what stresses you and recognizing the signs of burnout are critical first steps in managing your well-being.
How does stress show in your body? Many people experience sensations like neck tension and headaches. I feel stress in my stomach. Where does stress show up for you?
Coping strategies help you head off stress before it becomes overwhelming. In the same way that stress impacts people differently, your choice of coping strategies will be personal, too. These might include mindfulness, problem-solving, seeking support from your network, or simply taking time to rest and recharge.
Self-care isn’t just about reacting to stress and building resilience. Caring for your mind and body gives you the strength and energy to live your best life.
How to Stay Motivated: Your Self-Care Kit
Activism burnout is real, and neglecting self-care can lead to exhaustion. Pay attention to your stress levels and integrate coping strategies into your routine. A self-care kit can be a great way to maintain balance.
Self-Care Kit Items
Personalize your self-care kit with tools and activities to recharge, manage stress, and stay motivated. It can include physical items and mental health strategies.
Physical Relaxation and Comfort
Keep a stash of snacks and drinks that calm and nourish you.
Comfort items like a weighted blanket, a favorite sweater, and comfortable socks can be lovely on a tough day.
A stress ball or fidget toy can help release stress.
Affirmations and inspirational quotes can keep you focused on positive thoughts and remind you of how wonderful it is that you are living your values. A personal favorite of mine is Sufi Mystic Rumi.
Remember your set goals worksheet? Use it to remind yourself of your goals and what you have accomplished so far.
Keep a gratitude list, or include it in your journal. Much research supports the positive mental health impacts of gratitude.
Use an app for relaxation, mindfulness, and mental health. I like the free, evidence-based Healthy Minds App. See my review.
Create a playlist of music that calms you. Maybe another one that energizes you.
Keep a list of screen-free activities you enjoy, such as reading and gardening.
Connect with your support network when you need encouragement.
How to Use Your Self-Care Kit
Preventing stress is the most important way to use your self-care kit. Also, when you detect stress in your body. Make sure to keep it stocked with things that work well for you.
Stay motivated in your activism by using a set goals worksheet to plan effectively, and keeping a self-care kit to prevent activism burnout. Most importantly, celebrate your achievements to reinforce your satisfaction and motivation.
Want an easier way to follow the Activism Path?
While Life At The Intersection offers a great starting point for becoming an activist, using The Happy Activist: Journey the 5-Step Activism Path to Focus Your Action and Change the World makes finding your perfect activism opportunity much easier. With in-depth material, hands-on exercises, and a companion workbook, you'll find the tools you need.
