Pick your fights. It pains me to say this, but you
must develop an aversion to lost causes. If you can’t see your way
to victory – even if that victory won’t occur for years or decades
– pick another fight. To maintain your sanity and stamina, focus
your energy where it will do the most good.
Go
easy on the ideological purity. Don’t get sucked into petty
arguments with co-workers and allies. The history of the social
change movement is filled with campaigns that failed because allies
could only agree – only! – on 90 percent of the program. If you’re
spending a lot of time arguing about turf, or the wording of your
news release, or how to divide up the credit, something is wrong.
Check your ego at the door and focus on areas of agreement, not
disagreement.
Learn how to juggle. Sort through
the pile on your desk daily and put the most pressing items on top;
deal with them first. Buy a calendar and use it. Don’t go to
meetings just for the sake of being there. Spend some time each day
raising money. Keep track of the bank balance, but don’t be
obsessed. Say “thank you” whenever possible, for any reason. When
you make a mistake, accept responsibility and solve the problem.
Most of all, keep your wits about you. When in doubt,
think.
Don’t be a drudge. Last and best, give
yourself lots of credit, then take a long break. Hike, swim, sleep,
dance, ride a bike, go see a movie, make love with your sweetheart,
cook an extravagant meal, stay up all night and read a good book.
Forget about the sorry state of the world for a few hours, and
revel in the wondrous state of the world.
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Andy Robinson’s tips for activists.
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