RKBA Activism Fatigue, tips and hints.

ZeSpectre · June 30, 2009, 08:20 AM

Any of us who've been fighting the good fight to protect our rights are subject to what I call "Activism Fatigue". That point at which you are just exhausted, depressed, feel like you are making no progress and that the tide of moonbats and blissninnys is simply endless. You find yourself thinking "so what's the point?"

There are things you can do to help deal with this fatigue, or even avoid it in the first place.

Make a realistic assessment of what RKBA activism really means. If you are looking for a "short and victorious war" you are destined for disappointment. The battle for our rights has been going on for 100+ years. Operating with the realistic understanding that rights activism is like doing dishes or laundry (there will always be more to do) starts you off on the right foot with the necessary "long term view" of the situation.

Focus your energies on a targeted task. Much like washing your car with a pressure sprayer, if you diffuse your energies and attention too widely you aren't ever going to accomplish anything but a "focused stream" works a lot better to "wash off that mud". Pick one "pet" item (as an example, Concealed Carry in National Parks is mine). You can certainly work on other items as well but keep yourself focused and on track.

Define some intermediate "goals". Let's be honest, a complete and across-the-board WIN of the rights war is unlikely in your lifetime. That doesn't mean you can't set interim goals and celebrate your WIN when you achieve those goals. The accumulation of small victories is every bit as important.

Understand that sometimes the point actually isn't to win, the point is to keep the pressure on...constantly.

"Sing in Chorus". What I mean is that no one person holds a long note in a chorus. When one singer is running out of breath and needs to inhale, another singer will pick up (also known as staggered breathing). If you need to breathe don't be afraid to "hand off" to someone else for a bit. Go on vacation, shut off the computer, play with your kids/dog/wife/friends, and then resume the "note" again later when you are recharged. Do this BEFORE you pass out!

Expect setbacks but know they aren't forever. It seems to us like the tide of moonbats and anti-rights types is endless. It can feel overwhelming. But remember, to them it seems like WE are also an endless tide. You are NOT alone in the fight and you do have backup/support (see the "sing in chorus" note).

**Tom Servo** · June 30, 2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Make a realistic assessment of what RKBA activism really means. If you are looking for a "short and victorious war" you are destined for disappointment. The battle for our rights has been going on for 100+ years.

Well said. I'm 100% in agreement. The current generation seems to think gun control started last November, or at the earliest, in 1994. As such, they think that it can all be wiped away in one fell stroke.

One other thing. Talk to the middle. If somebody's an activist for gun control or a member of Brady/VPC, don't waste your time. Their mind is made up, and they're unlikely to change. Some people think it's fun to vilify or "score points" off the moonbats, but it gets us nowhere, and it's a waste of time.

Likewise, speaking to the choir at the range or at a gun show doesn't really help swing the balance. Those people are already in as much as they're going to be. Sure, it's nice to have people agree with us, but it doesn't effect any real change, which is what activism is.

Talk to the people who aren't sure, which is 98% of the human population. Your average Joe on the street probably isn't a big supporter of gun control; it's just that he's been fed a pack of lies so long he assumes it's true. His opinion isn't very strongly formed, and as such, a little convincing can change it quickly.

Make sure you're talking to people who actually vote and might care. Those guys at the bar who grumble, "somethin' oughta get done" to everything they see on the television aren't likely to take up the banner. Your neighbor who's friends with a city councilman is worth twenty of those.

ZeSpectre · June 30, 2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Talk to the middle. If somebody's an activist for gun control or a member of Brady/VPC, don't waste your time. Their mind is made up, and they're unlikely to change. Some people think it's fun to vilify or "score points" off the moonbats, but it gets us nowhere, and it's a waste of time.

Good point!

Quote:

Likewise, speaking to the choir at the range or at a gun show doesn't really help swing the balance. Those people are already in as much as they're going to be. Sure, it's nice to have people agree with us, but it doesn't effect any real change, which is what activism is.

I agree with the general point but "speaking to the choir" does frequently help re-energize others so it can have some benefit.

June 30, 2009, 08:20 AM	#1
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	RKBA Activism Fatigue, tips and hints. Any of us who've been fighting the good fight to protect our rights are subject to what I call "Activism Fatigue". That point at which you are just exhausted, depressed, feel like you are making no progress and that the tide of moonbats and blissninnys is simply endless. You find yourself thinking "so what's the point?" There are things you can do to help deal with this fatigue, or even avoid it in the first place. Make a realistic assessment of what RKBA activism really means. If you are looking for a "short and victorious war" you are destined for disappointment. The battle for our rights has been going on for 100+ years. Operating with the realistic understanding that rights activism is like doing dishes or laundry (there will always be more to do) starts you off on the right foot with the necessary "long term view" of the situation. Focus your energies on a targeted task. Much like washing your car with a pressure sprayer, if you diffuse your energies and attention too widely you aren't ever going to accomplish anything but a "focused stream" works a lot better to "wash off that mud". Pick one "pet" item (as an example, Concealed Carry in National Parks is mine). You can certainly work on other items as well but keep yourself focused and on track. Define some intermediate "goals". Let's be honest, a complete and across-the-board WIN of the rights war is unlikely in your lifetime. That doesn't mean you can't set interim goals and celebrate your WIN when you achieve those goals. The accumulation of small victories is every bit as important. Understand that sometimes the point actually isn't to win, the point is to keep the pressure on...constantly. "Sing in Chorus". What I mean is that no one person holds a long note in a chorus. When one singer is running out of breath and needs to inhale, another singer will pick up (also known as staggered breathing). If you need to breathe don't be afraid to "hand off" to someone else for a bit. Go on vacation, shut off the computer, play with your kids/dog/wife/friends, and then resume the "note" again later when you are recharged. Do this BEFORE you pass out! Expect setbacks but know they aren't forever. It seems to us like the tide of moonbats and anti-rights types is endless. It can feel overwhelming. But remember, to them it seems like WE are also an endless tide. You are NOT alone in the fight and you do have backup/support (see the "sing in chorus" note). __________________ "The dogs may bark but the caravan moves on"