Workshops
To have Hillary give a workshop to your group, please contact Liz Cole at (215) 473-0308 or email her here.
Click here for workshop descriptions
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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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"Secrets of the Prolific" Class for Writers begins Tues 2/23 - Arlington, MA
Minneapolis Workshops - June 12
Pittsburgh Workshops - May 27 - 28
Workshop in Takoma Park, MD: Monday May 18, 6:30 p.m.
New! Grub Street Writers Course: How to Write a Lot (begins April 30)
The Marvelous Mentor Mindset and How It Can Help You Succeed
News/Events/Q&A
"Secrets of the Prolific" Class for Writers begins Tues 2/23 - Arlington, MA
posted 20 Jun 2009 by Hillary
Secrets of the Prolific (aka, How To Write A Lot)
$275/$250 members
6 Tuesdays at the Arlington Center for the Arts (ample parking!), 7pm-10pm. Begins June 23rd.
Registration Deadline: June 17th
Why do some writers seem to write effortlessly, turning out page after page, chapter after chapter, and book after book, while so many others struggle over every word? The difference often comes down to how one relates to one’s work. If you feel a lot of fear and ambivalence when you write, or set too-high expectations for productivity or quality, then writing will probably be hard. But if you can avoid those traps, it becomes easier and even a joy. Through workshops and exercises, this course will teach you how to do just that. We’ll begin by identifying the forces that create procrastination and blocks, including our own fears, damaging societal messages, and the pernicious habits of perfectionism and negativity. Then we’ll work on solutions, including “compassionate objectivity,” writing without hesitation, writing through “the wall,” and using timers and other tools. Open to writers of all genres and at all levels.
Minneapolis Workshops - June 12
posted 02 Jun 2009 by Hillary
I’m teaching workshops on Time Management and Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism and Blocks to Success in a special “preconference” at the Their Lives, Our Voices animal activism conference. Workshop descriptions below – register FAST as space is limited and it’s already filling up. Only $12 for both workshops!
DESCRIPTION
We’re excited this year to be able to provide a special extra pre-conference workshop taught by Hillary Rettig, author of The Lifelong Activist. She has graciously agreed to teach a two-part workshop on Overcoming Procrastination and Time Management at greatly reduced prices for TLOV 2009.
The workshop will take place on Friday, June 12, from 1:30-5:00PM. Registration for this workshop is separate from registration for the rest of the conference, but it costs a mere $12. You can register for this workshop without buying a ticket to the rest of the conference if you’d like.
The workshop is limited to just 25 people, so register soon. To pay, you will first need to log in or create a new account. Then you can pay for the workshop.
Workshop Details
This is a two part workshop. The first part will discuss Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, Blocks and Fears, and the second covers Time Management.
Overcoming Procrastination, Perfectionism, Blocks and Fears
This workshop begins by precisely characterizing the nature of, and circumstances that often surround, procrastination. We define procrastination, and then discuss how people often mistakenly link it 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 and despair. Then we explore the true nature of procrastination, including common mindsets and behaviors that support it, such as perfectionism and negativity, as well as media and other societal influences that encourage it. 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.
Pittsburgh Workshops - May 27 - 28
posted 24 May 2009 by Hillary
Pittsburgh – Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 p.m. – FREE
Living a Joyful Vegan Life
Pittsburgh Seventh-day Adventist Church
4021 Evergreen Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
(412)-939-2437
Pittsburgh – Thursday, May 28 – $130 (or $180 for full conference)
10:15 – 11:45 Overcoming Procrastination
1:30 – 2:30 Time Management
Pennsylvania Spring Arts conference
Renaissance Hotel
107 6th Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 USA
(412) 562-1200
Workshop in Takoma Park, MD: Monday May 18, 6:30 p.m.
posted 17 May 2009 by Hillary
FREE but preregistration required.
Vegan treats served!
To preregister call 301-891-2458 or email info@cok.net by 4pm on Mon., May 18.
Join Compassion Over Killing for a free workshop (RSVP required)* hosted by Hillary Rettig, author of “The Lifelong Activist: How to Change the World Without Losing Your Way.” This workshop, designed to improve our effectiveness as animal advocates, will explore the true nature of procrastination, including its mischaracterizations that further inhibit us, common mindsets and behaviors that support it, such as perfectionism and negativity, as well as media and other societal influences that encourage it. We’ll also discuss solutions that really work as well as touch upon time management tools to help you better set priorities and budget your time. Vegan snacks provided.
WHERE: 6930 Carroll Ave., #830 in Takoma Park, Md.
METRO: Takoma Metro station on the red line
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
RSVP: Required. 301-891-2458 or info@cok.net before 4:00 p.m. on Mon., May 18
New! Grub Street Writers Course: How to Write a Lot (begins April 30)
posted 27 Apr 2009 by Hillary
This 6-week course is an expansion of the time management and overcoming writer’s block workshops I have been giving at Grub for more than three years. My Grub classes almost always sell out, so please register early.
6 Thursdays in Boston, 7pm-10pm. Begins April 30th
$275/$250 members
Registration Deadline: April 24th
To register call Grub Headquarters at 617.695.0075. Over the phone you may pay with Visa or Mastercard (no AmEx or Discover, sorry!). You can also send a check to Grub HQ – click here for more info.
Course Description: Why do some writers seem to write effortlessly, turning out page after page, chapter after chapter, and book after book, while so many others struggle over every word? The difference often comes down to how one relates to one’s work. If you feel a lot of fear and ambivalence when you write, or set too-high expectations for productivity or quality, then writing will probably be hard. But if you can avoid those traps, it becomes easier and even a joy. Through workshops and exercises, this course will teach you how to do just that. We’ll begin by identifying the forces that create procrastination and blocks, including our own fears, damaging societal messages, and the pernicious habits of perfectionism and negativity. Then we’ll work on solutions, including “compassionate objectivity,” writing without hesitation, writing through “the wall,” and using timers and other tools. Open to writers of all genres and at all levels.
The Marvelous Mentor Mindset and How It Can Help You Succeed
posted 19 Apr 2009 by Hillary
How important are mentors? Let’s just say that everyone I’ve ever met who was stuck in their life or career was severely under-mentored. In olden days, mentoring was probably more of an automatic process: you grew up working alongside your parents on the farm, or apprenticed with a craftsperson or local business owner. These days, you often have to work a little harder to find mentors.
Mentoring is generally a more expansive, less-structured form of teaching in which you gain not just knowledge, but wisdom and perspective. Mentors are particularly useful for life and career planning, and for guiding you through complex projects that would be hard to learn solely through books: for instance, art, science and entrepreneurship. Mentors are also often well connected, and use their connections to help their mentees. A single phone call from a mentor may be all it takes to get you a new job or a new customer for your business. Small wonder that proper mentoring can take years or even decades off the time it takes you to succeed at your goals – or spell the difference between success and failure.
Ideally, you should have at least one mentor for every important area in your life, including not just your career but marriage/partnership, parenting, health and fitness, personal finance, and any passionate avocations like art or political activism. You can also have mentors for life’s smaller challenges. Your brother-in-law the rabid GQ reader could mentor you on fashion and grooming. Or, your neighbor with the green thumb could mentor you in your quest to grow an organic garden.
Many under-mentored people assume that mentors are in short supply, and also that potential mentors would be unwilling to work with them. Not so! Mentors are everywhere, and many are glad to help. Here are some tips on finding and working with mentors.
(1) Start Small. Mentors tend to be busy people who get asked for help a lot, sometimes by people who are not serious or focused. Therefore, when approaching a potential mentor, make sure she (or he) understands that you are one of the serious ones by making a specific, focused, personalized and reasonable request, such as, “Your recent article on how to gain consensus within diverse communities was amazing. I’m working on a project to bring vegetarian meals to our diverse school district and am running into resistance from different groups of parents. Would you be willing to talk with me for 5 or 10 minutes at your convenience on how I could get them on board?”
Note that the asker does not ask the listener to “be my mentor,” or even use the word “mentor.” What you’re asking for right now is a favor, not a relationship: if the relationship is destined to develop, it will. Don’t force it.
Many people will respond positively to such a request – including some whom you might think too busy or famous. Of course, others won’t. If you get rejected by a potential mentor, don’t take it to heart – go right out and ask someone else.
If your initial conversation goes well, there’s a good chance the person will invite you to stay in touch or come back with other questions. Now you have the beginnings of a mentor relationship.
(2) Always Be Professional. When calling or visiting a mentor, be prompt, prepared and focused. Don’t go past the agreed-on time – although, if the mentor is enjoying the conversation, she might, which is fine. In your discussion, focus on problem-solving, rather than on how miserable the problem is making you feel. Later on, send a sincere and heartfelt (but not gushy) thank you note.
(3) Always Ask the Key Question. Sometime during every discussion with a mentor, you should ask something like, “Do you know of anyone else who might be able to advise me on this situation?” And then, of course, follow through. This will help you build your mentor network.
(4) Stay in Touch. If you contact your mentors only when you need help they will probably feel used. Instead, contact them every few months just to let them know how things are going, and especially to share any relevant good news.
(5) Reciprocate! Mentoring should be a two-way street. Even mentors who are very successful appreciate – and expect – return value. Sometimes, it can be hard to see what you can usefully offer a more-successful mentor. But every mentor appreciates receiving useful articles or other information they might have missed, or an offer of help when their own schedules get crowded
And, finally…
(6) Mentor! Yes, YOU should be a mentor. First, because it’s good karma to give back, and, second, because mentoring fosters your own growth and success. (Now you know why so many successful people do it!) Mentoring freshens your outlook, sharpens your strengths and skills, and exposes you to new people and viewpoints. So get out there and find a junior colleague, student, or someone else to mentor.
Think you don’t know enough to be a mentor? Think again: I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have valuable wisdom or experience to impart.
So, go forth and be mentored – and mentor! Mentoring is a precious relationship, and a marvelously compassionate and productive mindset, so let’s all work together to build a world where we’re all mentoring each other to learn, grow and be happy.
Boston Skillshare - April 18 - 19 - Come One, Come All!
posted 12 Apr 2009 by Hillary
Boston Skillshare is one of my favorite community events. It’s a fun workshop extravaganza held at the fabulous Frank Gehry-designed Stata Center at MIT (5 min walk from Kendall T stop / red line). Admission is free, but the suggested donation is between $3 – $10. You can take workshops on gardening, health, hobbies and many other topics, including mine. For more info, see the link.
I will be giving my workshops on both Saturday April 18 (time
management, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. anti-procrastination, 12:25 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.) and Sunday (time management, 3:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. anti-procrastination, 5:25 p.m. – 6:55 p.m.) April 19. (NOTE – THESE ARE THE NEW, FINALIZED TIMES – AN EARLIER EMAIL WAS SENT OUT WITH DIFFERENT TIMES THAT NO LONGER APPLY.) To be clear, you would attend either of those days – not both! You can also go to just one of the workshops without attending the other.
Please come, and please invite your friends and colleagues. Note that if you already took one of my workshops, but it was a while back, you should come again – the workshops have evolved significantly over the past year.
March 15 - Allston, MA - Limits of Altruism discussion
posted 04 Mar 2009 by Hillary
I will be leading a lively discussion of The Limits of Altruism at the March meeting of the Boston Vegetarian Society . Sunday, March 15, 4 p.m., at Grasshopper vegan restaurant (pan-Asian cuisine), One North Beacon St, Allston. Event free, approx. $15 for vegan buffet.
Description:
At this month’s meeting we’ll be discussing the role of altruism in our lives, and whether we as individuals can be more altruistic. The topic was chosen to recognize BVS member Hillary Rettig’s recent kidney donation to another animal activist (see below article) and also philosopher Peter Singer’s new book The Life You Can Save, in which he challenges people from the U.S. and other developed countries to give more, particularly to fight world hunger. Hillary will lead the discussion, and those who wish to can read the below suggested readings ahead of time.
Recommended Readings:
Kidney Karmarama, or… how my kidney found Mr. Right, by Hillary Rettig.
Desperately seeking a kidney – Sally Satel in the New York Times
Famine, affluence and morality by Peter Singer.
What should a billionaire give, and what should you? – Peter Singer in the New York Times Magazine.
The Life You Can Save – Peter Singer’s latest book.
Come prepared to discuss topics like: the limits of altruism; the role of distance in altruism; and links between altruism and activism. See you there!
Feb 22 - Cambridge, MA - Time Management Workshop for Parents!
posted 11 Feb 2009 by Hillary
I will be giving a workshop on Sunday, February 22 at 1:15 p.m. in a convenient Harvard Square location. Topics will be time management and overcoming procrastination, perfectionism and blocks – geared to parents! Cost: $15 for a 3 hour workshop. Please email me if you’d like to attend.
Feb 18 - Cambridge, MA - Altruism Discussion
posted 11 Feb 2009 by Hillary
Wed, February 18, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. FREE
Discussion Group: “The Limits of Altruism”
Harvard Bookstore – Philosophy Cafe (scroll down a bit for event info and suggested readings)
I am going to be a guest presenter, talking about my kidney donation. Discussion description below; see the above link for suggested readings to complete in advance. This is a great discussion group, btw, and a popular one: come early to get a good seat.
There are lots of explanations for altruism, or selfless giving, ranging from the mystical (karma), to the sociological (community standards), to the sociobiological (we “give” in ways that maximize our genes’ propagation). Whatever the mechanism, it’s clear that some people give a lot, while others not so much. Is there a proper level of giving, and how do we, as members of a wealthy society, justify not giving more to those in dire need, for instance in Nepal or Malawi–or even here in the U.S.? And what happens when a monetary reward or other incentive enters the picture?