3 Steps To Become an Effective Changemaker
Find Your Passion.Think deeply— What makes you light up?
What resonates with your interests and values? |
Take Action.Contribute to your community by educating yourself, raising awareness, volunteering, and starting your own initiatives.
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Amplify Your Impact.Collaborate with like-minded Changemakers through school, social media, and summits!
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FIND YOUR PASSION
While figuring out what your passions are, it is important to self-reflect. Identify your interests— sports, art, history—and figure out the things that you like to do in your free time. In addition to this, it is important to reflect on your experiences and understand how they have shaped the person you are. It is also important to note that finding your passion requires exploring new things. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and join new activities, because these are the experiences that will help you better understand what brings you a sense of purpose. Lastly, always remember to stay curious and persist in your journey to find what your passions are. Most people do not immediately understand what it is that inspires them, but if you keep your eyes open to new possibilities, I promise you will discover something that resonates with you.
TAKE ACTION
Here are a few ways YOU can take action and be a part of the change you hope to see for the world:
- Educate. With so many varying issues across the world, it is important as a changemaker to understand current events and what is going on around you, as well as ensuring that your peers and community members are educated on important topics. Some ways to do this include starting book clubs or hosting workshops and seminars. Whether you are attending an existing one, or creating your own, there are so many benefits to stayed educated. This allows you to engage in meaningful discussions where you can not only exchange ideas and insights but also brainstorm solutions to challenges of today's world.
- Assemble a crew. Once you've chosen a project, gather a group of peers passionate about the same cause as you. Changemaking, while exciting, is difficult and doesn't happen overnight. However, having a team makes the process easier and more fun! For example, you can start a club at your school and plan hands-on activities and coordinate meetings with engaging guest speakers. Another important note to add is that social media is a great tool to spread the word about your work and connect with people who have similar goals.
- Volunteer. There are many local organizations—non-profits, charities, and community centers—that are always looking for a helping hand. Engage with these different groups, and meet like-minded individuals who you can collaborate and network with, in order to expand your impact. By volunteering, you are demonstrating a commitment to your community, giving back to those around you, and gaining skills that will continue to benefit your advocacy work, as well as other aspects of your life.
AMPLIFY YOUR IMPACT
While we've already mentioned a few ways to amplify the impact you have on the world including social media usage, educational summits, and volunteer work, it is important to emphasize that working with others will help you achieve more than you could alone. This means you will be able to create sustainable, long-term change and reach a greater number of individuals and communities. Looking for a community? Join our crew of changemakers here at the Gen Z Agenda and click here to APPLY!