The next step is all about deciding on an issue you’ll take action on and working out what your action will be.
You need to bite the bullet here. There are plenty of things you can make a difference on, but there’s so little time. Prioritise your real passions, whilst recognising what you can actually change. This involves thinking about your particular talents, and getting clued up on your issue.
1. What change do you want to make?
What do you want to achieve? When you get to the end of your action, what do you want to tell your friends you did? Perhaps you want to say that you made your local bus run on time.
Look back at the issues you identified earlier and choose what you feel most passionate about acting on.
2. What’s your best feature?
If you want to make a real impact, you have to make the most out of your best features (sadly, great cheekbones won’t cut it). It’s important to know what your talents are. All of us have them, and by using them, we can make a big difference.
Ask for some advice from your friends or family. They might think that you have a talent of coming across well to new people, or that each time you walk into a room you bring energy into it. Ask a tutor or teacher. They might have noticed that you’re good at analysis (understanding what is at the heart of a problem), or that you’re good with numbers. Can you design web pages, or speak a second language?
Take all of this onboard when you formulate your action plan. For example, if you’re good at writing, but not so great at public speaking, look at tasks where you can influence large numbers of people through your pen.
3. What do you enjoy?
Action isn’t just doing what you’re good at
—it’s also about doing what you enjoy. If you’re a little arty, choose an action that gets you drawing or organising an art exhibit. If you’re having fun, you’ll stay interested and motivated right through to the end.
4. Half Time Break: Need a little inspiration?
We all need a kick up the bum sometimes. Try reading the quotes of accomplished figures, and the inspiring action stories of other ActNow members.
Have a look at the Inspiration Toolkit
Have a look at the Member Stories
5. Getting informed
Next, you should find out about the issue:
• What is the current situation?
• Where is it happening?
• Why did it happen?
• Who is involved?
• Who is it affecting most?
• What are people doing about it?
Take a look at the
Research page of the Toolkit which has some good advice on approaching information. Second, the ActNow issue pages are good for a backgrounder. But, it’s worth looking at a few more things. That is just the background to get you thinking. Don’t depend on the media, but it’s always worth a look just to see how they have responded to your issue. The media influence a lot of people, and they way that they’ve portrayed the issue will paint other’s perceptions.
Caption : Always a tough decision
Photographer : mai le |
6. Decide: What action will you take?
Time to come up with an action. How are you going to take action?
Think outside the square, and be as creative as you like
—just don’t forget to make it fun. Always team up your passions with your talents and hobbies.
If you’re running a fundraiser, combine this with something you find fun. You might enjoy cooking: bake some treats, sell them at a fete and donate the profit to charity.
If you care about the environment and like being outdoors, your action might be tree planting. Coming up with your action is both fun and hard. Be as creative as you can be. Just remember that your action can be as large or small as you like. You don’t have to save the world with one action!
Another thing to consider is if you’ll be taking action alone or with some friends or family members. You may find it easier to complete your action with someone else than alone. For example, Gracie and JessA pulled their minds together and took action together.
7. Reflect: Run your action idea by some friends and get their advice and feedback
Sit down for a while with someone, and talk about what you want to do, and get their feedback. Even your teacher or Nan would be good. Don’t be worried that they know nothing about the subject. This is probably a good thing
—you can start from the start, and truly break down what you’d like to do. They might not necessarily have any advice. But, if you pay close attention to the questions that they ask and the way they react to your ambitions, you’ll get a lot out of the exercise.
You can also post your action on your blog and get other ActNow members to give you feedback. Give each other feedback. Perhaps you can find someone whose actions you’re interested in and buddy up using your blogs.
