How can you thrive in community organizing amid uncertainty?

1 Know your purpose

The first step to thriving in community organizing amid uncertainty is to have a clear and compelling vision of why you are doing what you are doing. What are the values, goals, and principles that guide your work? How do they align with the needs and interests of the communities you serve? Having a strong sense of purpose can help you stay focused, motivated, and resilient when facing difficulties or setbacks. It can also help you communicate effectively and authentically with your stakeholders, partners, and supporters.

2 Build relationships

The second step to thriving in community organizing amid uncertainty is to cultivate and maintain strong and trusting relationships with the people you work with and for. Community organizing is not a solo endeavor, but a collaborative and collective one. You need to build rapport, respect, and solidarity with your community members, allies, and allies. You also need to listen, learn, and empathize with their perspectives, experiences, and aspirations. By building relationships, you can create a sense of belonging, support, and accountability among your community organizing team and network.

3 Adapt and innovate

The third step to thriving in community organizing amid uncertainty is to be flexible and creative in your strategies and tactics. Community organizing is not a static or linear process, but a dynamic and iterative one. You need to constantly monitor, evaluate, and adjust your plans and actions according to the changing context, opportunities, and challenges. You also need to experiment, test, and innovate new ways of engaging, mobilizing, and influencing your community and your target audience. By adapting and innovating, you can enhance your effectiveness, efficiency, and impact in community organizing.

4 Learn and grow

The fourth step to thriving in community organizing amid uncertainty is to embrace and pursue learning and growth opportunities. Community organizing is not a fixed or finite skill, but a continuous and lifelong one. You need to constantly seek, acquire, and apply new knowledge, skills, and insights that can help you improve your practice and performance. You also need to reflect, feedback, and learn from your successes and failures, as well as from the experiences and wisdom of others. By learning and growing, you can increase your competence, confidence, and credibility in community organizing.

5 Balance and recharge

The fifth step to thriving in community organizing amid uncertainty is to find and maintain a healthy balance and recharge your energy and enthusiasm. Community organizing is not a easy or stress-free job, but a demanding and exhausting one. You need to manage your time, resources, and expectations realistically and responsibly. You also need to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being by engaging in self-care activities, hobbies, and passions that can nourish and revitalize you. By balancing and recharging, you can avoid burnout, fatigue, and frustration in community organizing.

6 Celebrate and appreciate

The sixth and final step to thriving in community organizing amid uncertainty is to celebrate and appreciate your achievements and contributions, as well as those of others. Community organizing is not a thankless or hopeless task, but a meaningful and rewarding one. You need to recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate the progress, impact, and change that you and your community have made, no matter how big or small. You also need to express gratitude, appreciation, and recognition to the people who have supported, inspired, and collaborated with you in your community organizing journey. By celebrating and appreciating, you can boost your morale, motivation, and satisfaction in community organizing.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?