Don’t give up has been the mantra pushing us forward. We’ve held true through five years of work, five years of pushing to make things happen, and it will take more, but finally forward movement came this weekend.
Lee and I have been managing a Senegalese artist to help him get his wonderful music into the world. It’s been an investment of time, resources and hope. We’re now receiving positive response from international promoters at a music showcase in Dakar.
The idea, don’t give up, has been behind all the projects that I’ve committed to. Getting professionally trained, advocating for social workers to have billing parity, lobbing to have a new Mental Health hospital built, and legislation for Assisted Outpatient Treatment all took 7 years and more.
Maybe you have your own projects that need this mindset? Certainly the major threats to our democracy require it. Are you willing to push, are you willing to say Don’t Give Up? Here’s what’s needed for that to work.
YOU BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT
Whatever you are facing, determine its degree of importance. Being committed to not give up has to be central to your beliefs. Everything you set out to do will take work and time. Determine if that investment is worth it to you. I’m committed to our artist friend; it will change his life and ours. And never have the stakes in our country been higher, never have we stood to lose so much. That mindset is enough for me to believe it’s important.
KEEP THE END GOAL IN MIND
Advocating for change, for yourself, someone else or for our society requires keeping the end result clearly in front of you. It becomes the voice of advocacy, whether you use it internally or chant it at a rally. The push to make something happen requires the same clarity of vision and effort.
SUPPORT HELPS YOU GO THE DISTANCE
Don’t kid yourself, support makes all the difference. Every cause needs a champion, and many require investments of time and money. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need and don’t forget to give it to yourself. Find your champions or be one. Most of all, pace yourself so you can go the distance.
How are you doing? If you want more support to not give up, reach out.
