Flipswitch

What’s up, Guys and Gals?

It’s Round 2 of my Blog for Flipswitch!

Once again this is Ryan, I am excited that I get to speak my mind to all of you today. I feel as though I have stumbled upon something that may bring a little more reality into what we at Flipswitch are saying. In this edition of my blog I want to expound on Advocacy, which Gopi brought up in her first blog.

Let me start by asking you about several ways people try to Advocate for what ever it may be that they feel passionate about. First, I know most of us have had to sit through school assemblies. What are your thoughts on those? Mine most often center on the fact that I get to miss at least part of my day at school (Exciting!), and I get to sit in the most uncomfortable gymnasium seating ever (future back problems, but someone has to keep Gopi in business ☺). Or how about those annoying people that stand outside, on every street corner (so there is no way to avoid them) and handout stupid little flyers about whatever it may be? Again, I tend to do whatever I can to get around them, or I politely take the flyer hang on to it for a block and then toss it. Seems like a waste of paper and a waste of time, am I right? Take a moment and think about it.

It is not a waste of time, and it is not a waste of paper! (though I am sure many of you would want to argue about the latter) I guarantee you that reading the above made you think of at least one time when someone made you sit through a speaker, or when someone handed you a flyer. I also would make a solid wager that you remember at least the basics of what was on the cover of the pamphlet, or what the speaker was trying to say. You were exposed to it and on some level you retained a little of that information (even when you did your best to ignore the message)

So what does this mean? Advocacy still works even when people appear not to be caring about what you are saying, because as long as you are saying something to someone in earshot, they are listening. They may not be giving it the respect you think it deserves, but they will keep at least a tiny piece of what you said with them. And the more pieces you throw at them over time, the more clearly they will see your point in the end.

KEEP ON ADVOCATING, EVEN IF YOU THINK NO ONE IS LISTENING!

Until next time, Cheers! Ryan