82. How to Take Smart Risks with DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething

How can we take smart risks?

For this Women of Color Rise Podcast, I talk with DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething, a national

hub for youth activism that focuses on fueling young people to change the world. We discuss the importance of taking risks, especially given the political turbulence we are facing.

DeNora shares advice about how to take risks:

• Find strength in your personal mission – Pinpoint what you are willing to risk for. For DeNora, she is committed to fighting for our democracy and lifting up marginalized voices. Her mission fuels her to take risks. In our society today, it’s not enough to be transactional where we are liking an online post. This is different that the civil rights movement where people risked jail and pain and even death.

• Lean on your support system – For DeNora, her mother provided her a lot of strength since she was young and during tough times such as when she was a pregnant teen. To this day, DeNora knows she can’t do it alone and leans on her community for support.

• Take the work in sprints – Rather than falling for the myth that we need to give 110% all the time to all things and all people, focus on a specific measurable goal that is time-bound. That way, there is a clear light at the end of the tunnel to help motivate you and sustain you. And don’t forget to take a victory lap after a spring to celebrate!

Get full show notes and more information here: