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The Lifelong Activist: How to Change the World Without Losing Your Way
by
Hillary Rettig (Goodreads Author)
Teaches activists and others how to avoid burnout by integrating an activist mission consciously into a joyful and well-balanced life by managing one's time, emotions and relationships.
Paperback, 399 pages
Published
October 15th 2006
by Lantern Books
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So, let me start off by saying that this review is probably biased because I helped edit parts of this book and I'm friends with the author. However, this is still a book that I would pick up and read even if my brilliant contributions weren't integrated ...
I really enjoy the first three sections, which mainly deal with self-care and relationships with others. There are many of interesting insights about how the always-sacrifice-yourself-for-the-cause attitude in activists can lead to burnout an...more
I really enjoy the first three sections, which mainly deal with self-care and relationships with others. There are many of interesting insights about how the always-sacrifice-yourself-for-the-cause attitude in activists can lead to burnout an...more
My review from thinkgirl.net:
The Lifelong Activist guides progressive activists toward a balanced life. A truly substantive self-help book, its questions lead activists toward self-examination. Rettig advises mission, time, fear, and relationship management strategies for avoiding burnout. She smartly walks the line between idealism and realism. Short chapters cut to the chase and fit a busy schedule. Readers learn valuable tips on selling and marketing a cause. Most importantly she acknowledges...more
The Lifelong Activist guides progressive activists toward a balanced life. A truly substantive self-help book, its questions lead activists toward self-examination. Rettig advises mission, time, fear, and relationship management strategies for avoiding burnout. She smartly walks the line between idealism and realism. Short chapters cut to the chase and fit a busy schedule. Readers learn valuable tips on selling and marketing a cause. Most importantly she acknowledges...more
I'm not an activist in any sense of the word... the most I do for a cause is retweet or share it, but I did get a lot out of this book. I found it when searching for books on Maslow's ideas of self actualisation, and it had some good practical advice and ideas in that area. It was also strong on removing mental barriers to self actualisation that are common in activists, but I suspect rampant in anyone with a conflicted heart.
I didn't read the last third of the book, as it was very specific to...more
I didn't read the last third of the book, as it was very specific to...more
Jun 18, 2010
Steev Hise
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all activists
Recommended to Steev by:
Revolutionary Grounds Books and Coffee in Tucson!
Shelves:
spirit-self,
politics
This is a really very good book and very useful to me even before I finished reading it. It took me a long time for 2 reasons: first, there was a lot in it that I tried out as I went, pausing in my reading till I'd assimilated some of the ideas. and second, a lot of the book is sort of scary because it presents ways to make your life as an activist better but only with considerable work and changes to the way you do things.
I'm still dealing with that feeling, but the point is that this book of...more
I'm still dealing with that feeling, but the point is that this book of...more
If you are active on behalf of a social cause, it’s likely you’ve met the self-undermining sort of activist who seems to make a bad move at every turn. Give him/her a copy of this book. You might want to buy a copy for yourself, too, to help you avoid common pitfalls like burnout and fruitless campaigns.
Many books for activists talk strategy, but how many focus on how to integrate activism into your life in a mindful, healthy way? Rettig’s book explores issues such as finding your mission, dealing with burnout, and dealing with your time and finances constructively.
I really enjoyed this book. Hillary is very clearly an expert in the subject matter and she gives incredibly reasonable advice to help people who want to change the world work toward that goal without burning out.
Why am I reading a book about activism when I don't even have time to walk my dogs? I don't know. Nonetheless, this book has some very helpful advice. I like that the author points out that surviving financially may make you a better activist, as opposed to a bourgeois pig - that is, get over your martyr complex and stop feeling guilty about needing money! And the advice on learning to say "no" sure applies to me! This book would probably be more helpful to someone who is a full- or most-of-the-...more
Had to go back to the library. :( Good stuff, like a GTD for the leftist. Doing one of the early exercises helped me clarify what I do and don't want to do as a volunteer, and to get some perspective on a project that I feel like I botched. Definitely want to get my own copy and finish working through it.
Some useful tools here for avoiding burnout! May be useful if I tried using some of em . . .
I didn't agree with all of this book, and found the last chapter (on marketing) to be unhelpful, but there are some fantastic pieces in here. Those pieces merit 4 stars and I would recommend this book to most anyone who would like to be more effective and productive. So just go in with the idea that you can skim when it wanders away from the good stuff.
I never finished reading the whole book.
I'm slowly finding it is describing how to become a better workaholic, down to becoming more effective in 15 min intervals for the rest of your life. I expected more "whole person" & "well-balanced" life, but in the middle it starts talking about "all or nothing".
I liked the first few sections.
I'm slowly finding it is describing how to become a better workaholic, down to becoming more effective in 15 min intervals for the rest of your life. I expected more "whole person" & "well-balanced" life, but in the middle it starts talking about "all or nothing".
I liked the first few sections.
Rettig has a talent for helping activists break down huge problems into manageable goals. She helps us to continue this most needed work of ours without burning out or giving up. More than just that, she helps us to become more effective in the short and long term. A must read.
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Hello, I'm author of The Lifelong Activist: How to Change the World Without Losing Your Way (Lantern Books, 2006), and a career/life coach and workshop leader who specializes in helping students, activists, artists, entrepreneurs and other “ambitious dreamers” overcome procrastination, perfectionism, fears, and blocks.
My mission is to foster the happiness and productivity of – and prevent burnout...more
More about Hillary Rettig...
My mission is to foster the happiness and productivity of – and prevent burnout...more
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