Monthly Archives: October 2011

How do you know you’re making a difference?


Posted by ajlovesya

 

Last night I attended a presentation by idealist.org about a new program they are piloting in NYC that will allow people to act as Connectors in their communities. These people will help others find the resources and networks they need to take action on an issue they are passionate about, online and offline.

I walked away from the presentation with a renewed appreciation for the daily actions people take to try to make a difference and how the barriers to engagement can easily be surmounted with the right support.  During the Q&A someone in the audience asked how idealist.org would measure progress to see if the project is successful.  One measurement would be how many people are willing to talk to others about the program and invite them to join.  While the answer is related to the project, it made me wonder:  Is telling others in our lives about our activism the hardest part of taking action?

Why is this so hard?

My first year of college I took a course on black women and religion.  I was learning about various religions black women practiced and how those religions helped them navigate sexism and racism.  After the first few classes, I was eager to share my experiences with my mother.  My enthusiasm was met with concern and suspicion.  Indeed, her first reaction was:  “Don’t come back an atheist.”

That comment led to a discussion of beliefs my mom held about education, religion, and social change, a conversation my mom and I hadn’t had before yet shed light on our differing views on touchy issues.

I share this story because it reflects a challenge that many of us encounter in social change work: sometimes the most difficult conversations around social change, passion, and progress happen with the people in our lives.  Our family members, friends, and loved ones.  Maybe it’s because their potential disagreement with our views hits hardest.  Maybe it’s because we’re afraid it may cause a rift in our relationships.  Maybe it’s because you know that these kinds of conversations won’t end well.   In any case, I think this is often why it is easier to engage in conversation with strangers around some of these touchy issues.  It gives us a sense of security: they don’t know me, so no worries.

Where can you begin?

Yet I find that having these kinds of conversations with the people in my life and connecting them to the resources they need are signs that I am making a difference.  I know I am making a difference when:

  • My mother reads an article about a social justice issue in New York City and asks me to discuss it with her,
  • My best friend wants to explore her passion and comes to me for advice,
  • My sister wants to volunteer and asks me where she should begin,
  • My boyfriend wants to learn more about the social change work of business people he admires and looks to me for information

By taking action, no matter how small, we send a message to people in our lives that taking action is possible.  You, in this way, become a connector as others see you as a living example of how they can get involved and ask you for advice.

Yet sometimes we all need a little push to get involved and to invite others to join us.  Idealist.org had some great questions to get the conversation started:

  • What do want to do (to make your community, or the world, a better place)?
  • Why haven’t you done it?
  • What would help you to do it?

Easy enough, right?  My plan is to ask more people in my life these questions and reflect on them myself.  Are you willing to do the same?

What do you think?  How can you engage people in your life about making a difference?

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What rituals do you have that help you strengthen your professional life?


Posted by ajlovesya

I came across this powerful article by Michelle Martin on the importance of including rituals in your work life.  Unlike habits, which we do without thinking, rituals are deliberate acts that help us focus on our work:

A ritual, though, is something done with consciousness and intent. There’s a mindful quality to it that raises that activity from the level of unconscious action into something deeper and more considered. Ritual is about taking a moment and honoring the activity. Rituals energize.  It’s the intention behind rituals that makes them so powerful.

This distinction is important to remember in establishing rituals for yourself. Being mindful about what you are doing provides the power for your rituals to ground you in your life.

She lists daily, weekly, and quarterly strategies you can implement today that will help you become more thoughtful in your work life. Please bookmark and share!

This article spoke to me as I have been trying to become more thoughtful about my work.  In the past few months I have focused on waking up early to have breakfast, coffee, and to read.  I honestly cannot understate the difference this makes in my day.  Just waking up early and enjoying my morning helps me feel as though I have more control over my day, as opposed to feeling rushed and as if the day is happening to me.  At the same time, I am interested in adding more reflection to my work life.   Here are two rituals I am adopting:

End of Day Journal: One sentence reflections may help me be more mindful in my work.  I must admit, though, that I have done this before, and found myself being frustrated if I didn’t feel as if anything particularly interesting to say.  Is this feeling just another example of the problem of working mindlessly?  I want to try an end of day journal again because when I did have something to write, I felt better able to prioritize my work.  Her suggestion of writing only one sentence may help take some of the pressure to be a wordsmith.

Sunday Reflection:  I absolutely LOVE these questions.   While they can be answered according to my professional life, they work for my personal life as well.  I am realizing that many areas of my personal life (friendships, health, romance, etc) need just as much thoughtfulness and attention as my professional life.  As a result, I am all for questions that help me develop rituals for professional and personal benefit.

I’d love to know what rituals you have or are considering adopting.  What has made a big difference in your work life?  What resources do you recommend?  What challenges do you face in being more thoughtful about your work?

I’d also love to know if there are communities where folks share their professional reflections/challenges.  I could do this on my blog (is that something folks would be interested in?) but I find that when I can connect with others around a goal, I have access to more support and resources.


What’s the worst advice for job seekers you’ve ever heard?


Posted by ajlovesya

Most of the time when I give career advice, it’s more about professional development, networking, and understanding the sector and your role in it.  I don’t talk too much about the nitty gritty of applying for jobs, like, say, working on your resumes and cover letters simply because there are tons of resources out there that tackle that aspect of job hunting.

Yet every now and then, job hunting gets real.  Really real.  In a bad way.  I’m talking about advice given to job seekers that makes my skin crawl.  Specifically when it comes to being persistent and standing out.  Following up with a thank you note for an interview or emailing about the status of your application?  Sure.  Showing up at my organization unannounced to talk or drop off your resume or emailing/calling everyone at my organization to ensure they got your resume (both of which have happened to me) WRONG.  Very wrong.  Why? Because it’s disruptive and disrespectful.

Here’s an aspect of job hunting that hurts yet should help you focus:  Some organizations are looking for reasons NOT to hire you.  When you get 300 applications for one job position you want a way to cut that stack down.  Typos and general sloppiness make it easy.  Calling everyone at the organization or showing up unannounced makes it even easier.  Want to stand out?  Have a killer resume and cover letter that highlight your accomplishments and fit; have an in with someone who works there; build a brand that allows opportunities to find you; prepare for that interview and rock it.

However, I know it’s the nitty gritty of job applying that can be most nerve racking.  To that end, I really recommend paying attention to Human Resources.   There are tons of websites that focus on HR and Idealist.org just launched a new Human Resources Community.  In addition to a blog and monthly newsletter, the website hosts  a networking group where people can exchange ideas, resources, and more.  An important aspect of landing a job is to listen to people who are actively hiring and the above websites give you much needed access.

What’s the worst job seeker advice you’ve ever heard?