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The Lifelong Activist helps activists, volunteers, and others with a political or social mission be as productive as possible while avoiding burnout and leading a happy, healthy, and balanced life. The book offers easy and effective strategies for managing your mission, time, fears, and relationships.
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Arlington (MA) Workshops on Overcoming Procrastination and Time Management - July 7 and Aug 11
NYC Workshops - Thursday, Sept 18
Crazy Floating Hedgehog with Crazy Affectionate Ladies Cheering Him On
Tips for Cutting Back on The Meat
News/Events/Q&A
Arlington (MA) Workshops on Overcoming Procrastination and Time Management - July 7 and Aug 11
posted 01 Jul 2008 by Hillary
Monday, July 7, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., Stop Procrastinating!
Monday, August 11, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., Time Management
Location for both:
Arlington Center for the Arts, www.acarts.org
41 Foster Street, Arlington, MA
(directions at link – lots o’ parking, I’m told)
1. These are Grub Street Writers events. You must preregister through Grub at 617-695-0075 or via info@grubstreet.org. There is a $45 fee per workshop.
2. The workshops are open to writers and nonwriters. The examples will be about writing, but the principles are identical to those in all of my workshops. Please email me at lifelongactivist@yahoo.com if you have questions about content.
3. The Grub workshops are popular and fill up fast, so preregister early.
Whew! Thanks for your patience. Here are the descriptions:
STOP PROCRASTINATING!
Procrastination and writer’s block are occupational hazards of the writing life, and the bane of many writers’ existences. But they needn’t be heart-rending or career-ending problems. Both can, in fact, be easily addressed once you’ve figured out the specific nature of your block and what?s causing it. (Hint: it?s not that you?re lazy or uncommitted—so stop blaming yourself!) This lively and illuminating workshop will help you understand the specific nature and causes of your procrastination problem or block, including the contributing factors of perfectionism, negativity, hypersensitivity and panic. Then it will offer techniques that any writer can use to easily and quickly get back on track. The great news is that, once a writer actually starts solving his or her procrastination problem or block, as opposed to just dithering over it and blaming himself or herself, change can happen amazingly fast!
TIME MANAGEMENT
Time is money, people say, but they’re wrong: time is actually far more valuable than money, especially if you’re a writer who also has job, family and other major demands on your time. Successful people tend to manage their time, while unsuccessful ones tend not to, or – worse – to let others manage their time for them. If your own schedule is out of control, or you’re not finding time to do the things you need or love to do, this workshop will help. Coach Hillary Rettig, author of The Lifelong Activist (Lantern Books, 2006), has helped hundreds of artists and others use their time better. The effectiveness of the techniques she teaches, combined with her compassionate and fun approach, will make this one of the most empowering and entertaining workshops you will ever take. PS – If you think you’re too busy to take this workshop, then you really need to take it!
NYC Workshops - Thursday, Sept 18
posted 01 Jul 2008 by Hillary
I will be giving my Time Management workshop at All Souls Unitarian Church on Thursday, September 18, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Possibly followed by the workshop on Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, Fear and Blocks. More detail to follow, but please hold the date.
All Souls is at 1157 Lexington Avenue (at 80th Street).
Coping with Failure
posted 25 Jun 2008 by Hillary
A while back, the New York Times ran a interesting interview with Jim McCann, founder and CEO of 1-800Flowers.com . A lot of it was about the mistakes he made along the way, and how he rebounded. His conclusion:
“If you look at highly successful people, they make the same number of mistakes as others, but they recover quickly. They don’t sit around moaning about what they’ve done wrong.”
As I’ve written, and teach in my workshops, there is no such thing as pure failure or pure success. Every failure has elements of success in it – at least you tried, and you probably learned something and accomplished something, even if you did fall short of your goal – and every success has elements of failure or compromise. Perfectionists and negative people don’t see that: they think that anything that is not a huge success is an awful failure.
And dwelling on your failures is simply a waste of time.
George Carlin, Reinventionist
posted 23 Jun 2008 by Hillary
Sad to note George Carlin’s death. The thing I found interesting in his New York Times obit was how, back in the late 1960s, when he was already at the top of his profession, with guest spots on Ed Sullivan, bookings at top Las Vegas casinos, etc., Carlin bravely chucked it all to follow what he considered a truer path:
“That early success and celebrity, however, was as dinky and hollow as a gratuitous pratfall to Mr. Carlin. ‘I was entertaining the fathers and the mothers of the people I sympathized with, and in some cases associated with, and whose point of view I shared,’ he recalled later, as quoted in the book Going Too Far by Tony Hendra, which was published in 1987. ‘I was a traitor, in so many words. I was living a lie.’
“In 1970, Mr. Carlin discarded his suit, tie, and clean-cut image as well as the relatively conventional material that had catapulted him to the top. Mr. Carlin reinvented himself, emerging with a beard, long hair, jeans and a routine that, according to one critic, was steeped in ‘drugs and bawdy language.’ There was an immediate backlash. The Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas terminated his three-year contract, and, months later, he was advised to leave town when an angry mob threatened him at the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. Afterward, he temporarily abandoned the nightclub circuit and began appearing at coffee houses, folk clubs and colleges where he found a younger, hipper audience that was more attuned to both his new image and his material.”
What courage! I am inspired by stories of successful people who sacrifice their comfort and success behind to follow a more authentic path. (Another is Howard Lyman , the former cattle rancher turned vegan activist.) This anecdote makes me want to read Carlin’s autobiography and learn more about how he made the decision, the price he paid, etc.
Crazy Floating Hedgehog with Crazy Affectionate Ladies Cheering Him On
posted 22 Jun 2008 by Hillary
Via Cute Overload (where else?), we present the antics of Shming the hedgehog and his adoring female entourage:
Tips for Cutting Back on The Meat
posted 22 Jun 2008 by Hillary
I get asked all the time how to cut back on meat gradually. I always recommend swapping one or two ingredients or meals at a time, and then, when you’ve succeeded at those, swapping some more. So:
Use vegan spread in place of unhealthy butter
Use soymilk in place of cow’s milk in coffee (lots of non-vegans do this, since many people believe soymilk tastes better and blends better with coffee – after you get used to the soy, cow’s milk tastes strong and feels greasy in coffee)
Eat salad for lunch one day a week (Bacos are vegan!)
This New York Times article by “Miniminalist” cookbook author Mark Bittman offers more great tips:
1. Forget the protein thing. Roughly simultaneously with your declaration that you’re cutting back on meat, someone will ask “How are you going to get enough protein?” The answer is “by being omnivorous.” Plants have protein, too; in fact, per calorie, many plants have more protein than meat…On average, Americans eat about twice as much as the 56 grams of daily protein recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (a guideline that some nutritionists think is too high). For anyone eating a well-balanced diet, protein is probably not an issue.
2. Buy less meat…Remember that most traditional styles of cooking use meat as a condiment or a treat. This is true in American frontier cooking, where salt pork and bacon were used to season beans; in Italy, where a small piece of meat is served as a secondo (rarely more than a few ounces, even in restaurants); and around the world, where bits of meat are added to stir-fries and salads, as well as bean, rice and noodle dishes. In all of these cases, meat is seen as a treasure, not as something to be gobbled up as if it were air.
3. Get it out of the center of the plate…Build the meal around what you used to consider side dishes — not only vegetables, but also grains, beans, salads and even dessert, if you consider fruit a dessert — rather than the meat. Nearly every culture has dishes in which meat is used to season rice or another grain. Consider dirty rice, fried rice, pilaf, biryani, arroz con pollo: the list is almost endless.
4. Buy more vegetables, and learn new ways to cook them.
5. Make nonmeat items as convenient as meat….By thinking ahead, and working ahead, you can make cooking vegetables as convenient as what in India is often called “non-veg.” Spend an hour or two during the course of the week precooking all the nonmeat foods you think take too long for fast dinners.
6. Make some rules. Depending on your habits, it may be no bacon at breakfast; it may be no burgers at lunch; it may be no fast food, ever; it may be “eat a salad instead of a sandwich three times a week,” or “eat a vegetarian dinner three times a week.” It may mean meatless Fridays. It may mean (this is essentially what I do) meatless breakfasts and lunches and all-bets-are-off dinners.
7. Go to restaurants that don’t feature meat-heavy dishes.
Friday Fun: Hell's iPod and Fugly Plants
posted 20 Jun 2008 by Hillary
I’ve been saving these up for just the right Friday:
Hell’s iPod
A collection of entertainly awful music videos, most of which seem to date from my youth (and, hence, don’t sound all that awful to me). The classics are all in here: Muskrat Love, Billy Don’t be a Hero, Honey, You Light Up My Life, etc. Lots more earwigs linked to in the comments.
And a photo gallery of eight of the world’s fugliest plants
Enjoy!
Minneapolis Events - June 6 and 7
posted 28 May 2008 by Hillary
JUNE 6
Title: Panel Discussion, Q&A and Book Signing with Hillary Rettig, Gene Baur and pattrice jones. (See bios below)
Date and Time: Friday, June 6, 7pm – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Animal Rights Coalition / fast & furless, 2615 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis
For More Information / Registration: http://www.animalrightscoalition.com/
These nationally known speakers and activists will discuss their new books: Gene Baur – Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds about Animals and Food; pattrice jones – Aftershock: Confronting Trauma in a Violent World, A Guide for Activists and Their Allies; and Hillary Rettig – The Lifelong Activist.
Gene Baur is the president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. patrice jones is the founder of Eastern Shore Sanctuary & Education Center. Hillary Rettig is a career/life coach and workshop leader who specializes in helping activists and other “ambitious dreamers” overcome procrastination, perfectionism, fears, and blocks.
JUNE 7
Title: How to Live a Happy and Productive Activist Life (a.k.a., How Not to Burn Out)
Date and Time: June 7, 1:30 – 2:40 (80 mins)
Where: Their Lives, Our Voices – Midwest Animal Advocacy Conference 2008
Hubert H. Humphrey Conference Center, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Before June 9: $50 for the general public and $20 for students; after June 9, $80/40
For More Information / Registration: http://www.tlov.org
Description: This workshop will center on the building blocks of a happy and productive life: mission management (to figure out your authentic goals and path); time management (so you can develop a schedule that helps you focus on your goals); and fear management (so you can get past procrastination, perfectionism and blocks to success). These topics are discussed in the context of progressivism and activism, with examples from several progressive movements, and referencing George Lakoff’s “nurturant parent” model of progressivism and his dictim that it is the duty of all progressives to live happy lives themselves, along with helping others be happy. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences and insights on these topics, and the workshop leader will share concrete and actionable advice and strategies, so that participants leave feeling inspired and empowered.
Chicago / Evanston Workshops - June 3, 4
posted 28 May 2008 by Hillary
I’m giving these workshops in Evanston and Chicago next week – hope to see you at one! – Hillary
Tuesday, June 3, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Ethical Planet
1110 W. Davis St.
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 866-2088
SEATING LIMITED – PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED
To preregister, email ethicalplanet@aol.com or call 847.866.2088
Fee: $20 (cash or check made out to Hillary Rettig)
Wednesday, June 4, 6:15 P.M. – 9:15 P.M.
Brehon Pub
731 North Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 642-1071
Fee: $10 (cash or check made out to Hillary Rettig) plus $10 food/drink order
Hillary will also be selling copies of her book The Lifelong Activist for $20 at both workshops.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
The workshop has two parts:
Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, Blocks and Fears. We begin by precisely characterizing the nature of, and circumstances that often surround, procrastination. We discuss how many people mistakenly attribute procrastination to laziness, immaturity, lack of willpower, lack of commitment, and other perceived personality or behavioral flaws, thereby mischaracterizing it and adding a burden of shame. Then we explore the true nature and causes of procrastination, including common mindsets and behaviors that support it, such as perfectionism and negativity. Finally, we discuss solutions that really work! Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences and insights, and the workshop leader will share concrete advice and strategies.
Time Management. This workshop begins with a discussion of how time should be valued (contrary to the cliché, time is not money; it’s far more valuable than money); why one needs to manage it; and how successful people tend to view and use time. Then we discuss how to properly value time; right and wrong ways to use time; and lifestyles that support and inhibit success. Then we discuss how to budget and track your time, how to set priorities, and how to “create” time through delegation and other techniques. Finally, we discuss tips for sticking to your schedule, and how to deal with people who don’t support you. After the workshop, many participants report being more productive and less stressed.
Today's Link: Effective College Environmentalists Model the Joy of Sustainability Living
posted 26 May 2008 by Hillary
Bravo to the college environmentalists in this wonderful New York Times article , who are not just exploring sustainable living for themselves, but modeling it for others with creativity and fun:
“Lucas Brown, a junior at Oberlin College here, was still wet from the shower the other morning as he entered his score on the neon green message board next to the bathroom sink: Three minutes, according to the plastic hourglass timer inside the shower. Two minutes faster than the morning before. One minute faster than two of his housemates.
“Mr. Brown, a 21-year-old economics major, recalled the marathon runner who lived in the house last semester, saying: ‘He came out of the shower one morning and yelled out: ‘Two minutes 18 seconds. Beat that, Lucas!’…
“So it goes at Oberlin’s new sustainability house — SEED, for Student Experiment in Ecological Design — a microcosm of a growing sustainability movement on campuses nationwide, from small liberal arts colleges like Oberlin and Middlebury, in Vermont, to Lansing Community College in Michigan, to Morehouse in Atlanta, to public universities like the University of New Hampshire.
“While previous generations focused on recycling and cleaning up rivers, these students want to combat global warming by figuring out ways to reduce carbon emissions in their own lives, starting with their own colleges. They also view the environment as broadly connected with social and economic issues, and their concerns include the displacement of low-income families after Hurricane Katrina and the creation of “green collar” jobs in places like the South Bronx.
“The mission is serious and yet, like life at the Oberlin house, it blends idealism, hands-on practicality, laid-back community and fun.
“‘It’s not about telling people, ‘You have to do this, you have to do that,’” Mr. Brown said. “It’s about fitting sustainability into our own lives.” And hoping, he added, “that a friend will come over, recognize that it’s fun, start doing it, and then a friend of theirs will start doing it.”
“With their professors as collaborators, and with their own technological and political savvy, students are persuading administrators to switch to fossil-free fuel on campus — Middlebury is building an $11 million wood-chip-powered plant, part of its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2016 — serve locally grown food in dining halls and make hybrid cars available for shared transportation when, say, the distance is too far to bike and there is no bus. Students are planting organic gardens and competing in dorm energy-use Olympics. At Oberlin last year, some students in the winning dorm did not shower for two weeks, officials said.
“‘This is a generation that is watching the world come undone,’ said David Orr, a professor of environmental studies at Oberlin. Projects like the Oberlin house, he said, are ‘helping them understand how to stitch the world together again.’”
tags: college activists, environmentalism, new york times, walking the walk