I’m writing this short piece as I sit on a flight after a productive week in our nation’s capital. Over the course of five long days, I was able to work with a group of volunteer advocates seeking to capture the attention of Ohio’s congressional delegation and garner their support on a litany of issues.
There were some wins. Long months of coalition building put our team in a position to move the needle and get some key decision-makers thinking about issues just a little differently. As important, a few days together allowed us the chance to do our homework, practice as small teams, and build our confidence.
But none of that could guarantee a flawless performance – nothing can. That’s the dilemma we face as advocates, isn’t it? No matter how well we prepare, flawless is never an option.
I talk with advocates about this problem nearly every week. Wether I’ve worked with them for years or hours, I find myself beating this drum nearly every time we take to Capitol Hill or the state legislature: don’t strive for perfect, instead, reach for present.
But no matter the team, I’m invariably met with either rolling eyes or impatient stares. And it’s fully understandable. How frustrating is it to give so much of your time and talents with zero expectation of measurable progress? Simply stating the obvious here, but that’s politics.
But I have a secret to overcome that frustration. Two little words: festina lente. Together, they translate roughly as “make haste, slowly.”
Blame it on the stoicism I study. It’s making me a more patient person, but it must be more than a bit maddening for those stuck working with me.
Yes. We all want to make change – change that we believe will leave the world a better place for our having been a part of it. And that belief compels us to action. Which is great. But it’s also exhausting – because that world rarely rises to match our sense of urgency. That disconnect drains us. It wears us down and in all too many cases, affords just the cover we need to disengage.
To varying degrees, the roadblocks we encounter pull us out of the fight. Our only chance to win out is to adopt a mindset that allows us to continue to face those blocks head on. And of course, keep showing up.
But that little classical adage, festina lente can resonate for anyone trying to accomplish any big, incomprehensible goal. Because internalizing it will help us balance our sense of urgency with an appreciation of the small step forward.
The trick is not getting hung up on slowly. And I’m the first to admit – slowly doesn’t sound appealing when we’re talking about the big issues that motivate us. It doesn’t spin us up and get us energized. But it’s not meant to. We have the sense of urgency. The far more important reminder I try to convey to advocates is that slowly is where we turn passion into progress.
Don’t like that your congressman has been silent on an issue? Stop defining a “win” as getting them to take a stand, issue a statement, or vote on a bill. Instead, set a goal that you’ll meet with their staff four times in the next calendar year, and that you’ll invite them to some kind of event that shows them your experience.
I’m working with farmers these days, so this is especially appealing. So many young staffers, even members of Congress have little to no background with the agriculture sector. So instead of throwing issues in their faces, what do we do? We invite them out to the farm. We make them part of our story for even just a day. Do they want to see equipment? Great! Help with some livestock? Wonderful! Even just a taste of your personal experience helps humanize complex issues and will build trust.
This is the worst kept secret in American politics: personal relationships matter more than political partisanship.
A former boss used to quote the great Buckeye football Coach, Woody Hayes when he’d remind us how to measure success in this field. “Politics is like old school big ten football,” he’d say. “Wins don’t happen with flashy, explosive plays. They happen with three yards, and a cloud of dust.” If you can gain three yards on every play, you control the clock, and you eat up the field.
Each play still has its sense of urgency. Each play still requires your immediate attention – your presence. But no single play has to come off perfectly. Mistakes will be made, blocks will be missed. But if you hustle for each play, and help your team make just three more yards, well, you’re still in the game.
Festina Lente. Make haste, slowly. You’ll get there.
CHALLENGE: Take out a piece of paper and write down those words. Festina Lente – Make Haste, Slowly. Put them on your desk, your fridge or wherever and think about how you can gain three yards today. Extra credit if you post a photo of your note online today with a thought on how you’re going to put the words to use in your own life!
Part of the Possible 