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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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About Hillary
Recent posts
Cheeky Cat Takes Over Internet
Boston, Sat. May 10: FREE Workshop on Perfectionism
Coping with Rejection and Other Setbacks
The Future is About Participation
New York, Thurs. May 15: Workshop on Overcoming Procrastination On Your Job Search
Seeking Workshop Venues for Upstate NY / Midwest Tour (June)
Minneapolis, Sat. June 7: Workshop on Joyful Activism
Integrated Decision Making - Your Inner "Board of Directors"
Welcome!
Workshops:If you’re looking for details about my upcoming workshops in Boston, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis and elsewhere, check the blog.
E-book:If you’re looking for my E-book, The Little Guide To Beating Procrastination, Perfectionism and Blocks: a Manual for Artists, Activists, Entrepreneurs, Academics and Other
Ambitious Dreamers, you can download it for free here.
I help activists, artists, entrepreneurs, students and other ambitious dreamers break free of procrastination, perfectionism, negativity and other blocks to success so that they can achieve their life goals. I do this though one-on-one coaching, workshops, and my book, The Lifelong Activist. Follow the menu links for details, or just keep reading for a summary of all three. Don’t hesitate to email me for more information, and thanks for visiting! — Hillary (lifelongactivist at riseup dot net)
Powerfully Effective Productivity/Life/Career Coaching
Are you not where you would like to be, professionally or in your art, academic career or activism? Do you struggle with procrastination, perfectionism, or a writing or other creative block?
If so, coaching can help. My coaching technique combines strategic planning with time management and anti-procrastination techniques. This helps you, (1) clarify your situation and goals; (2) develop a plan for achieving those goals; and (3) overcome any blocks, fears and procrastination that may interfere with progress. I coach via telephone, so you can be located anywhere. Most clients see substantial improvement in their lives and prospects after just a few hours of coaching.
I’m so grateful to you for your insight and encouragement. I didn’t know where I wanted to go when I first contacted you, and I never imagined I’d find such treasures of insight in such a short time. I feel like this is just the right direction. It’s awesome. — Eliza M., Boulder, CO
Hillary saw in me what I believed but was not listening to. Her insight and understanding make her an instant ally in strategizing a successful balance between advocacy and sustenance…she picked up critical clues from our discussions and pointed me back to my positive and motivated path. —Scott B., Maui, HI
“Through our talks, I came to recognize that I’d been believing things about my professional self that were just not true, and soon I was able to stick to a daily writing schedule and make a big move to another state that I’d been afraid of for months. Hillary is not a cheerleader — she is a fellow seeker who genuinely wants to bring out the best in people, and to do it honestly and wisely.”—Caroline A., Boston, MA
Hillary’s coaching helped me to distill both the essence and the quantitative detail, making my resume a true snapshot of my experience and my gifts. Her direct, task/goal-oriented, and supportive approach also provided me with an invaluable foundation for the development of a more effective job search. I felt more focused and exhilarated while working with Hillary.—Harriet C., Medford, MA
Thought you’d be interested to know how things changed for me (quantitatively) between Oct & Nov (our 1st telephone conversation was 11/5): October billables: 33.42 hours, $1,715.31; November billables, 63.88 hours, $3,270.09. Wow! That is incredible! And my mood is soooo much better than it was in October. I truly feel like it’s hard to imagine a better investment than coaching time with you! — coaching client (lawyer), Boston, MA
Click here for more information on my coaching.
“Dynamic, Heartfelt” Workshops
I give workshops and speeches related to time management; getting past procrastination, fears and blocks; effective activism; effective entrepreneurship; and effective arts entrepreneurship, at schools, nonprofit organizations, community organizations, arts organizations, private salons and other venues.
When Hillary Rettig came to our church and led a workshop about leading a joyful and productive progressive life, her message resonated with everyone. Not only did she give helpful practical tools and tips, she helped us get to the underlying issues that stand in the way of being joyful and effective activists. Afterwards, I was swamped with people asking, “where did you FIND her? We really needed this!” I’d strongly recommend Hillary’s book and her presentation to all activists working in Unitarian Universalist and other liberal faith communities.—Marisa Miller Wolfson, Faith in Action committee member, Fourth Universalist Society, New York City
Hillary’s dynamic, heartfelt workshops not only empowered and inspired our staff members, but provided them with insights and tools that they could use to empower and inspire others, including our clients. As such, Hillary’s workshops provide “double value” and I urge all nonprofits in particular to invite her to speak. —George Zeller, Jewish Vocational Service, Boston, MA
Hillary provided both insight and practical tips that left everyone with a renewed vision of what it means to be a productive activist. She answered every question with true empathy and patience, making the audience feel safe and validated. Her professionalism and organization is impressive, but it’s really her accessibility that’s refreshingly unusual. —Jasmin Singer, Farm Sanctuary, New York, NY
Hillary is a charismatic speaker who has the ability to reach people from various backgrounds and perspectives. Her talks are interactive in a way that benefit all who attend. She gets the balance between giving practical tips and supporting our need to use those tips. Her wisdom should not be overlooked. If you can only make it to one talk this season make it this one. —Aryenish Birdie, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA
The Grub Street community has benefited greatly from Hillary Rettig’s smart, organized, inspiring and valuable seminars. The common refrain in her evaluations is: ‘we want more!’ Hillary is fun to work with, passionate about her mission, and fully engaged with her craft. —Chris Castellani, Grub Street Writers, Boston, MA
On a rainy night in Boston, you lifted our spirits, gave us hope, and inspired us to get out of our own way. Everyone got something out of your presentation, and many of our Chicks told me they went home and put your words to work the very next morning as they sat down to write. Thanks, Hillary! —Tracey Palmer, Chicks Who Write, Norwell, MA
So many thanks for such a terrific talk. The group was really energized and inspired. Some talks are merely informative, but yours was many cuts above.—Alix Ginsburg, Ph.D., Temple Emanuel Networking, Newton, MA
Click here for more information on my workshops.
The Lifelong Activist
The Lifelong Activist is a guide to living a joyful and productive life that includes a strong progressive mission. It offers insights and simple, concrete instructions that help you follow your authentic path with a maximum of joy and productivity, and a minimum of fear, guilt and shame. The book’s sections are:
Managing Your Mission (figuring out your authentic path)
Managing Your Time (creating – and sticking to – a schedule that lets you achieve your goals)
Managing Your Fears (overcoming fear, guilt, shame, procrastination, perfectionism, blocks, etc.)
Managing Your Relationships (working effectively with others)
Activists, artists, campaign workers, labor organizers, volunteers, students, teachers, human services workers, and entrepreneurs will all benefit from The Lifelong Activist, and those contemplating a career or life change, or at risk for burnout, will find it particularly useful.
People often ask how I manage to continue devoting myself to progressive activism (such as the free software movement) for years without burning out. The best way I can answer is by recommending…The Lifelong Activist.—Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software movement and MacArthur Fellow
Global warming, poverty, homelessness, or other pressing problems; take your pick—and then use the organizing and time-management tools in The Lifelong Activist to change the world.—Adam Hochschild, author of Bury The Chains and King Leopold’s Ghost
If I had but one book to spend hard-earned cash on this year, this one would be it, hands down.—Daily Kos
“[The Lifelong Activist] is about becoming more useful and effective as an activist or artist. I recommend that you take a look at it.“—Salon.com
Your book is a strange blend of realism and idealism. I like the way you cut through the romance and deal with the nitty-gritty in a way that is powerful and uplifting.—Reader, Chicago, IL