Reply To: Exercise 6: 10 People Closer to Your Field
Exercise 6
This week I spoke with six new people about my project idea (making 12 total for exercise 6). Most were very helpful, some were not so much. I had a few more conversations scheduled, but they didn’t end up happening.
It was an extra exciting week because my project is evolving. I’ve gotten SO much advice, it’s a challenge to think straight and utilize the helpful pieces and leave behind the unhelpful. But, I’m doing it! I’ve been having lightbulb moments during each conversation where the person I’m speaking with says something that makes me think, “aha!” or “of course that’s what I want to do!”
In addition to the evolution and, in my opinion, improvement of my project, I’m getting WAY more confident and competent as a communicator. In general, I’m finding myself more confident as a person, too. It feels like my project is forming into a combination of several of the ideas I brainstormed in week two. I think it’s becoming a project I really believe in and want to bring to life.
Here’s my updated problem and solution:
Problem: People who care about the welfare of farmed animals (farmed animal advocates) feel unsupported and overwhelmed by the prospect of engaging in effective advocacy.
Solution: Create an in-person social group for farmed animal advocates where they can feel supported and heard. The initial part of the meetings (first 30 minutes) will be for casual socializing and include food and drinks (provided from different members for an additional opportunity to connect). The second part of the meetings (1 hour) will be a group mentorship discussion focused on a pre-chosen topic about effective animal advocacy. The goal is to support, inspire, and empower advocates from all backgrounds and experience levels to take the most effective actions that are meaningful to them to improve the lives of farmed animals. I plan to utilize ideas and help from Effective Animal Advocacy Austria to run this group.
This evolution of the project now includes two key components that were brought up in almost every conversation: social support and effectiveness. As an advocate of any cause, the goal should always be to be as effective as possible. I’d bet that almost all advocates agree on this. However, because of the passion and emotions involved in advocacy, I think many are not effective at all (and may even be harmful). We get wrapped up in what we believe and want change immediately. We want everyone to see the world the way we see it. But if we can’t use our passion strategically, it’s worth nothing.
I think the typical ways an animal advocate will act on their desires for a better world are street activism, talking to friends and family, or posting on social media. These modes of advocacy are the most obvious solutions to a problem that feels unbelievably overwhelming. They can be very impactful and are important but other modes can sometimes be much more impactful. If my project is successful, it will help advocates reduce that feeling of overwhelm and increase the effectiveness of their advocacy. This is great for the people and the animals they want to help. Before this most recent iteration, I felt less confident in the potential for my project to have an impact. I thought it was a good idea, and so did the people I spoke with, but I didn’t think it was great. Now, I feel like I’ve sold myself on it, which is pretty cool.
I’m keeping this post short and somewhat incomplete because I’m now home and want to cherish my time here! I plan to revisit this and further reflect on the exercise while I’m on the train in a few days 🙂