There are three levels of involvement you can have with any issue, project, topic, problem, opportunity, business, etc. Hopefully next time an opportunity comes your way, this little template will help you consider at which level you want to get involved.
- Awareness – Lack of awareness simply means that you don’t know. It has never entered the path of your eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or touch. As soon as you encounter it you are aware of it. If you want others to change behavior or to help you solve a problem, they first need to be made aware of it. Increasing overall awareness of your issue seems inconsequential, but it’s not. The more people know about it, the more it comes into their mind, the more “it” grows in the collective consciousness of the world. Awareness is the first step.
- Support – This level represents putting some energy toward an issue either in the form of financial support, moral support, or providing connections. It tends to mean somewhat passive involvement but is as important as level 1 or 3.
- Direct action – This implies that you are taking on the cause yourself and putting blood, sweat, and tears into the issue. Direct action is often see in employees or volunteers working for their cause of choice. It generally implies significant man hours and getting involved with details.