The Women’s March Was Cool, But Is It Sustainable?

It is estimated that there were between 3.3 million and 4.6 million people who participated in the Women’s March in the US, and an additional 260,000+ around the world. It was an amazing display of people standing up to make their voices heard for political change and for the protection of the rights, safety and health of women and their families. It was designed to send a bold message to the new government. This peaceful protest created hope and excitement. The air was electrified and adrenalin was pumping as the crowds grew and marched as one. However, the March was a first step toward change, not the last step. Can they keep this momentum going?

Many people experience something similar to a “sugar high” following events such as this. The sugar high fades with time and people tend to return to the status quo. But if the desired changes are to be made, this March has to turn from a moment to a movement. Turning it into a movement happens through hard work and persistence. It means getting involved politically, having a strategy, becoming an advocate, and investing time and energy to create change. Without a clear path from march to power, the protest would have been an exhilarating, but ineffective event.

Let’s face it. We don’t always stick to our good intentions. How many of us have set a New Year’s resolution and found that we failed to keep it? How many times have we joined a fitness club and stopped going? How many diets have we started and given up? We start with determination and promise. But it fades as life’s tasks and routines take over. Of the 20% of the population that sets goals, roughly 70% of them fail.

Robert Chen, at lifehack.org, lists ten reasons why people don’t reach their goals.
1. Creating Vague Goals: Your goals are unclear. He recommends that you make your goals measurable, achievable, realistic and give yourself a deadline.
2. You Lack a Higher Purpose: Without a higher purpose the excitement and motivation wear off.
3. Procrastination: If you don’t get started, you won’t achieve your goal.
4. Not Taking Responsibility: He recommends that you own up to not reaching your goals. You are in control and have the responsibility for follow-through, or it’s failure.
5. Listening To People Who Discourage You: Keep your eye on the prize and ignore the naysayers.
6. Starting Too Many Projects: You can’t do everything. Finish the projects you started.
7. Being Negative: Negativity will sap your optimism.
8. Being Selfish: Most big projects require the help of others. Join in and connect with others who share your values and pursuits.
9. Surrounding Yourself with People Who Don’t Reach Their Goals: You are the sum of the top five people in your social circle. Choose your circle of influence carefully.
10. Watching Too Much TV (or social media): Pick up a book or tackle one part of your project that gets you closer to your goal.

When millions of people get out of bed and drive, fly or ride to a rally something noteworthy is happening. They want change, are motivated and are poised for action. Their next step is goal setting followed by hard work and persistence. I hope they don’t give up.