Three Ways to Avoid Feeling Powerless
I was recently talking with a friend about how discouraged we were (and sometimes still are) when reading about human-caused pollution, natural and health-related disasters, social inequalities, or similar problems. Thinking about the future of our world can be quite depressing, so much so that sometimes we may lose hope and question the meaning of our actions.
Does this sound familiar? The good news is, you can be a changemaker, feel empowered, and still be genuinely optimistic. One key to success lies in our mindset and our perception of reality.
1. Acknowledge the reality
What resists, persists. Yes, it’s hard to admit just how dysfunctional humans are. But acknowledging this fact doesn’t mean condoning this human and societal condition. When you just keep saying, “It shouldn’t be this way,” without taking constructive action, it’s a bit like standing in front of a house on fire and waiting for it to go out without doing anything to change the situation. Chances are that if you quickly recognize the danger and call the fire department, the situation will be resolved quickly.
Overcome your illusion. In “Loving What Is”, Byron Katie uses “The Work” to help a person accept their reality while answering these questions:
- Is that true?
- Can you know for certain that it is true?
- How do you react when you believe this thought?
- Who would you be without this thought?
Finally, she asks the person to reframe the thought. Let’s take an example: The original thought, “I have no positive impact on society,” would become “My thoughts have no positive impact because they discourage me from changing the way I live and work to make a positive impact” or “I have a positive impact if ….” By realizing this, you move from being a victim to taking responsibility for your interpretation of events and your reaction to them.
This approach may be criticized for its simplicity, especially when dealing with certain complex issues. Yet, it may also help someone become aware of their limiting thoughts and find “a way to change the projector—the mind—rather than the [thing] being projected.”
2. Accept THE duality: YOUR limits and potential
It is acceptable to be part of both the problem and the solution at the same time. As Eastern culture teaches us through the theory of yin and yang, forces that may seem opposite are actually deeply interconnected.
Just by buying food, we create certain sources of pollution. Yet, we can also reduce our impact on the planet by striving for zero waste.
Act consciously in your own way. Yes , we are all, to a greater or lesser extent, responsible for climate change. Yes, it is linked to a larger system of production and consumption. No, that is not a reason to wait for others to act first. If a single individual cannot solve all the world’s complex challenges at once, acting as a “Colibris” (Pierre Rabhi) might help you realign with your values, make a positive impact, and—who knows—create a collective shift toward a caring and responsible society.
3. Refine your strategy to maximize your impact
First, make sure you have a clear understanding of what’s truly important to you and what’s relevant to your professional and personal life. The world’s problems are endless. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed just thinking about them.
To be effective, focus on your goals and be pragmatic. You may want to distinguish between what you empathize WITH and what you want to take action on. Then, decide how to proceed in real life while staying true to your values and hopes for the world.
Get Inspired: A Case Study
Here is a story inspired by a true story. Our character’s name is Sandra. She is a smart and dedicated woman who believes in the leadership of the public sector and the power of collective action. The problem is, she faces drastic budget cuts and what seems like a lack of motivation from her colleagues. She has thoughts like: “I’m isolated; I’m torn between my values and my day-to-day reality. It’s hopeless. I can’t do anything. I can’t even manage to make a simple positive change in my own institution.”
To the question “Is that true?” the answer is a direct and immediate “yes!”
In response to the question, “Can you know for certain that it’s true? What’s the evidence for it?” there is a long silence. Then, “Well, I don’t know. At least, I’m trying. I’ve launched various projects at work. I’m constantly learning, and I’ve cut down on my waste at home.”
When asked about opportunities for hope, she recalls the faint signs she picked up from one or two colleagues. She has found potential allies!
When it comes to possible courses of action, the three women get together, brainstorm alternative ideas, and come up with the idea of creating an urban farm. It’s a way to partner with local stakeholders, grow eco-friendly products, and engage the staff.
They continue to lobby top management leaders in a polite yet quiet manner. Still, the trio keeps planting seeds of change. Eventually, some employees begin to voice their desire for greater commitment from upper management regarding their concerns, but they fear potential consequences for their jobs. What started with three people grows to thirty. They organize group discussions outside of working hours and collectively reinforce their goals whenever possible.
One day, they received a letter from the head of the institution announcing an innovation contest for “sustainable initiatives.” They discovered that the director’s daughter was their greatest ally. She had overheard him complaining to his wife about his inability to address his employees’ requests. For three weeks, his daughter kept asking him what he was doing to contribute to her future. One night, he remembered why he had joined the public sector in the first place: to empower citizens. The very next day, he wrote a letter about the contest!
Unleash Your Power
The best tools are often introspective questions that will elicit the most relevant and practical answers for you. Here are a few you might try answering. Sit in a quiet place, focus on yourself, take a deep breath (or two or three), and give it a try—even if it’s just for one second per question. Listen to the thoughts that immediately come to mind. You’ll be amazed by the power of your mind.
What “fires” do I want to put out?
If you have trouble answering such a direct question, you may want to break it down into manageable parts: What topics interest you or affect you the most? Why is that? What’s the real issue at stake? How does this relate to your daily life? The clearer you are, the easier it will be.
What am I hoping to achieve by focusing on this issue?
Here, you want to dream big. Ask yourself questions like: What do I wish for instead? What would be the ideal scenario? What benefits would that bring, and to whom?
How can I move forward?
Now is the time for realistic planning. If you don't have any immediate answers, perhaps practical steps will become clear if you ask yourself the following questions: "What is the first step I can take? Who can I rely on? What resources will I use? When will I commit to doing so?"
Now it's your turn: Click the button below to share your thoughts and comments with me!
“‘Forgiveyourself for your faults and mistakes, and move on.’”
