Business and Justice

Applying Enthusiasm to Advocacy - Some people are all about New Year’s resolution, but for me I get that great desire for self-renewal and repairs around September. I’m pretty sure it was “Back to School” thing, because, well, I was one of “the kids” at school. You know the type. At the beginning of each school year, I’ll swear, no less emphatically, that this is the year I will get straight A, met the right man, stay awake during chemistry class – you fill the blank.

However, even after 40 years of life, I was all surprised when, at the end of August beginning of September, I started thinking to myself “hey, this is the year I will start a podcast, write every day on my blog, finish the book, finally achieve world peace … “You’ll think I’ll get used to it now, but really, not so much.

This year, I figure it’s time to take advantage of all the feeling returned to school by thinking of ways to become more organized, more productive and more inspired for next year. Is it ‘back to school “or” back-to-legislature, “here are some thoughts on how to take advantage of the feeling of rejuvenation that comes to many of us in September.

1. Cleaning the trash: When I started to clean useless stuff out of my house, as I did this weekend, I know I have a really bad case of “back-to-school.” We all can take advantage of that feeling, though, by thinking about how we can “clean up the garbage” out of our grass roots programs. Now it is time to take the old action alerts from your site, updating the legislative framework and clean up your network e-mail list. You will be much better prepared to handle any unexpected pop quiz on the legislative throw you if you have removed all the clutter from your system.

2. Get the right equipment: For years I believed that the binder is going to solve all my educational woes. I believe that children today do not even use a binder, but the same sentiment. Basically, you’ll want to start the fall season with inventories advocacy appropriate. These range from concrete resources, such as journal and newspaper subscriptions are useful, human resources, including grassroots supporters right in the right place at the right time, for a list of distribution technologies, including e-mail and online action alert generator .

3. Have a plan – and stick it!: At the beginning of each school year I would carefully plan my own schedule, from my goals for the school year when I’ll get my homework finished. Began to fall in your advocacy efforts from the right to have (or revise) a concrete plan of what you want to be reached until the end of the year. Of course, that may have shifted due to changes in the legislative calendar, but is almost always better to start with some clear ideas about what you want to accomplish and your plan to achieve it. If you already have a plan, think about the ways in which you may need to revise it given any changes that have occurred over the last few months. Oh, and be sure to stick to it! Revisit your goals and plans every month or so to see if you’re on track or, if not, what are you going to change there.

4. Build your network: The kids today would not even imagine going to school without a MySpace or Facebook profile. Fortunately, this tool not only for the young anymore! Check out some tips for creating a MySpace page, where you can post information about your advocacy efforts, using cool tools like blogs and share pictures, and find people who thought the same. Other options in the business / association of the world is LinkedIn, where you can find your friends and friends of friends for business networking purposes.

5. Be creative: Take advantage of all the extra energy you have in the autumn by trying some new and creative approaches to advocacy. Ever thought about a blog? Now may be time to start one. One great resource to explore this blog ProBlogger.net, which offers insight to beginners and old pros at the beginning and maintaining a blog. How is a podcast? You can learn how through this article on How to Start a Podcast. I even took my own advice and started a podcast. The point here is to treat those “creative urge,” you may find that you are just as hip as a high-schooled.

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