I just bought Hillary Rettig’s The Lifelong Activist, so you can expect a full review soon. But in the meantime, I thought I’d share the following list from Rettig highlighting ten ways to avoid activist burnout. Although a simple list, it is very insightful and one that i suggest every activist post in a visible place. As someone who has been involved in organizing for the past decade, learning each of these skills has proven to be vital to my staying active while so many around me suffered from burnout and gave up.

1. Be honest about who you are and how you want to live your life. Don’t be ashamed if there are limits to the amount and type of activism you want to do.

2. Acknowledge your physical, emotional, material and other non-activist needs.

3. Surround yourself with mentors and others who will encourage and inspire you.

4. Avoid people who abuse you or make you feel guilty or bad in any way. This includes, but is not limited to, other activists and family members.

5. Don’t abuse yourself with constant selfcriticism. Become a compassionate observer of your own flaws.

6. Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small. It’s recognizing and acknowledging the positive, not harping on the negative, that creates growth.

7. If you need therapy, get it. If you suffer from ADD, ADHD, OCD, depression, addiction, codependency or another affliction, see a specialist and follow through on his or her recommendations. These conditions are fundamental barriers to success and happiness, so it is vital to deal with them.

8. Manage your time. Time management is a primary skill that separates successful from unsuccessful people.

9. Stop worrying about your problems and start solving them. Solving involves observation, analysis, consultation with experts and deliberate behavioral change.

10. Never give up. Sometimes success seems remote—particularly if you have a habit of worrying instead of solving—but it is never as remote as it seems. Start taking small positive steps as I outline here and in The Lifelong Activist, and you will make faster progress than you ever dreamed possible.