Ever seen a marathon runner sprint for the whole race? Of course you haven’t. That wouldn’t be a sustainable pace to make it to the finish line. They would collapse from exhaustion at mile two. Instead, they pace themselves and run in short bursts when they need to.

As social justice activists, we need to take the same approach as a marathon runner if we hope to stay engaged in our work for the long-term. And not only stay engaged, but maintain our energy, passion and joy. If we try to sprint the whole time, we will inevitably burnout, leaving us exhausted, overwhelmed and cynical. Sometimes, it could mean we walk away from the work altogether.

In this workshop, you’ll learn about the specific causes of burnout for social activists, how to spot the signs of burnout and what you can do to develop a sustainable approach to your work so you stay energized and engaged.

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Paul Johnson is the Founder of Proactivism and the co-host of the podcast “The Modern White Man.” He is passionate about helping white-identifying activists better manage their stress in order to prevent burnout, reduce harm towards communities of color and stay energized and engaged in their work for social change. He is also a Gallup Certified StrengthsFinder Coach and Intercultural Development Inventory Qualified Administrator. These days, he loves spending all his free time with his newborn, Mirae, and his partner Bailey at their home in South Minneapolis.

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This program is available for free for Hennepin County businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a partnership with Elevate Business Hennepin County. Check out their website for resources to support your business from Impact Hub MSP and other startup support organizations!