How do you want to change the world? Is there a long list? Are you all over the place, hopping from one cause to another? Are you unclear about what is most important to you?
Identifying your primary mission creates a clear focal point from which you can align your messages, actions, and resources – producing concentrated energy to the drive change you seek.
People join a cause for one of two reasons. They either reach a point where they are not going to “take it” any longer, or they want to provide more of something to the world. And really, both motivations are two sides of the same coin. If you are unclear or unfocused about where you are called, use the for/against perspective to determine where your true passion lies.
“For at the heart of every innovator is a rebel, someone dissatisfied with the status quo. Yet the rebel’s affirmative cause often remains undefined. Determining what you’re fighting for helps to discern it.” Sarah Lewis, The Rise
Hell No, Not on My Watch
Is your Just Cause an issue driven by what you want to abolish or correct in the world? You stand AGAINST something. You are ardent about making sure ‘x’ does not happen again. To explore this side of the coin, consider what frustrates or outrages you so much you must act.
What is happening in your community, state, country, or the world that makes you draw a line in the sand and get off the couch? Perhaps is has to do with social injustice, poaching animals, trains carrying dangerous fuels through your town, cutting down old growth forests or hazing on college campuses.
What wrong do you want to right? It might be the death penalty, mass incarceration, tax dollars paying for maintenance of confederate statues, the government profiting off student loans or books being banned from libraries.
What solution seems so clear you want to bang your head against a wall because you don’t see how those in charge keep ignoring the obvious? Perhaps creating a state bank to save thousands in tax dollars is something you can’t believe isn’t already in place. Maybe you wonder why six months of rehab isn’t the minimum for those with opiate addictions given all the science supporting longer treatment.
Maybe there are multiple things you want to address. If so, which one ignites the hottest fire in you?
The possibilities are endless and personal. Whatever it is for YOU, name the cause.
More of This
Maybe you are driven by the desire to fill gaps you see in the world. You stand FOR creating more of something in the world. On this side of the coin, identify what you see missing, that when created, would make the world so much better.
What oozes from your pores that you want to give to others? You might have emotional storage containers full of compassion – and in sharing your compassion you not only provide comfort and hope to others but continually refill your reserves at the same time.
Perhaps you are gifted in wisdom, or the ability to make sense of numbers, or effectively communicate through words. Who or what could benefit from your talents?
How would you fill in the blanks below?
If only people had access to _________, everyone would be happier / healthier / safer!
What do see clearly is needed for your community to experience a higher quality of life? Maybe it is more local businesses, higher paying jobs, fewer guns, more play and fun, healthcare or clean parks and natural spaces.
When _______________ is present, beings are thriving and at peace.
It might be joy, safe housing, nature, empathy, economic stability, or clean, abundant water.
Again, the possibilities are endless and personal. If you are moved from this perspective, name what you passionately want to bring to the world.
Identifying Your Just Cause is Important
Once you are clear about the change you want to create, you can position yourself to make an impact that will not only benefit others but will be fueled by an authentic passion coming from your heart. Aligning what you believe to concrete actions will set loose innovative thinking.
Opportunities become visible.
Allies appear.
Messaging is clear.
Your world begins to shift which then shifts those around you. It is the beginning of something beautiful, powerful, fulfilling.
What will YOU champion?
If you need help to work through this, book some time on my calendar.