Those who dedicate their lives to making the world better often focus so intensely on doing that they rarely pause to ask a critical question: Is what I’m doing actually working?
Advocacy is not just about passion or effort—it’s about impact. And impact requires reflection. True changemakers are not only relentless in action but courageous enough to assess whether that action moves the needle.
These questions are an invitation to think more deeply about your work, your strategy, and your purpose.
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How much do I give? How much of my income or time do I dedicate to the causes I believe in? Does my contribution reflect the urgency of the change I wish to see? If I believe a cause is critical, do my actions show it?
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What drives me? When I advocate publicly—through social media, events, or conversations—am I seeking attention, or am I taking steps that create real, measurable change? Does how I live align with what I say I stand for?
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Do I understand my theory of change? Have I thought critically about how change actually happens in my field? Do I know whether research or evidence supports my approach, or am I relying on intuition and hope?
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Do I uplift others? Do I recognize, collaborate with, and amplify the work of others in my space? True progress rarely comes from individual heroism—it comes from coordinated effort and shared purpose.
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How do I represent my cause? In my tone, words, and behavior—especially when faced with disagreement—do I embody the values of the change I advocate for?
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Why do I advocate? Am I driven by ego, emotion, or guilt—or by a clear, disciplined desire to create lasting change?
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How do I measure impact? Do I have a way to evaluate whether my work produces tangible results—changed minds, improved lives, new policies, measurable progress—or do I equate effort with success?
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Am I committed to growth? Do I stay curious and open to learning—through research, mentorship, and feedback—or do I assume my passion alone is enough?
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Do I examine my contradictions? Do I see where my own choices may undermine my message, and am I willing to face those gaps with humility and honesty?
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Do I lead or wait? Do I take initiative to drive meaningful change, or do I mostly surround myself with like-minded people and hope someone else will act?
Because advocacy, no matter the cause, is not just about how loudly we speak—it’s about how effectively we build. Every dollar, every post, every hour, every decision either strengthens or weakens the movement we serve.
Progress depends not only on passion but on precision—on our willingness to question ourselves as bravely as we question the world.
The most effective advocates are not just those who care deeply, but those who think deeply. They don’t mistake activity for progress. They measure, adapt, and evolve.
If we want to create meaningful change, we must hold ourselves to the same standard of accountability we expect from the systems we’re trying to transform.
Reflection is not a retreat from advocacy—it’s the foundation of it.
Kirschner's Korner 
Best post ever. Great advice for any kind of evaluation of one’s work on anything. Excellent! Jackie Booth, Ph.D.
These ten questions are essential when one is really doing some self reflection on the reasons why they consider themselves an animal lover or animal activist. I applaud you for mentioning the taboo topic of money. Animal organizations don’t get the millions of dollars donated to them like other more “accepted” organizations do; therefore, they need our financial support! This list should be one that is kept and reevaluated by each one of us as we search within ourselves on how to live a purposeful life in helping the exploited, tortured, and voiceless animals.
Reblogged this on Pass the SAFE Act!.
thank you, andrew, for posting this. very well said. and something that needed to be said. stay the course, brothers and sisters. momentum is finally on our side. just keep on speaking the truth. seize every opportunity. even the small ones add up quickly.
Dear Andrew,
since reading your email this morning the questions you pose have played on my mind for the past five hours and I therefore feel a need to respond, as follows.
1. Unless one is in the fortunate position to run an animal sanctuary I believe donating to the appropriate charities is the only alternative. We only have one small farm rescue sanctuary here in Queensland, with others in Australia achieving national recognition. For instance, Edgars Mission in Victoria run by Pam Ahern, has saved and rehomed thousands of farm animals. Since early 2012 I sponsored a rescued broiler chicken at FAR Queensland but unfortunately she died late last year. I now sponsor a rescued lamb at a cost of $100 per month. I randomly contribute to other animal charities: Animals Australia, wildlife rescuers, and I recently donated $100 to Steve and Derek (Esther the Wonder Pig’s dads) who have now committed to buying a farm and running their own farm sanctuary. I have outlined these donations in order to give perspective to my commitment, you see, I am not wealthy and live on a combination of investments and government pension.
2. I don’t often comment much on Facebook but my posts are usually positive of people and issues that deserve support. I am comfortable that my motives are purely animal welfare driven.
3. My darling husband of 42 years passed away recently after a long debilitating illness with Parkinson’s Disease. As his carer I was limited as to what I could become involved in, but in hindsight I am happy that I was able to participate in a Farm Animal walk in Brisbane city in 2012; attended two peaceful marches against live animal export; volunteered at a wildlife hospital caring for koalas; and through passive vocalisation in conversation and actions, hopefully influenced others to pursue a kinder way of life.
4. Wherever and whenever I am able I sign petitions, send letters to politicians and occasionally telephone. Combined with monetary donations and other advocacy efforts, I believe this helps other advocates and animal rescue organisations. My posts on Facebook are mostly to encourage and congratulate individuals/groups for their wonderful work.
5. I am happy that I advocate in a completely dignified manner. I abhor violence of any kind, but in saying this, I fully admire and respect the under-cover people who risk their lives to free and expose cruelty.
6. Do I advocate to make myself feel better? Definitely not, if anything, I become so dejected and depressed at times with the extent of animal abuses that despair is an overwhelming emotion. What keeps me going is the belief that doing nothing only perpetuates the problem. One person can make a difference – one action can save one life, one voice can speak for the voiceless.
7. The answer to this is immeasurable. One must have faith that good will triumph over evil. Mankind may be morally corrupt on all levels of guardianship of the planet, but if we don’t believe and have hope then we may as well give up.
8. I don’t attend conferences, but I do watch videos and have read The China Study and When Elephants Weep.
9. Through self education and awareness I am comfortable with the decisions I make to cause no harm to animals. My plant based diet is nutritious and tasty and with every mouthful I feel blessed that I am not harming animals.
10. At 63 years of age I come from a dark background where I ignorantly and dispassionately contributed to the suffering of animals. My father hunted rabbits, possums and ducks; I grew up in a household and culture where vegetarianism was unheard of, let alone vegan. I turned vegetarian 14 years ago, and vegan only one year ago. My son is a vegan, my daughter a semi vegetarian – but the rest of my family and friends tolerate my chosen lifestyle and take pleasure in castigating me for my ethical choices. It is really difficult balancing advocacy and the status quo when it comes to your loved ones – the justification seems to be mine alone, and for fear of losing my family members, I do not lecture or try to influence them. I firmly believe that for me, advocacy is about gentle persuasion and not bullying. When I used to eat meat I had no idea or concept of the cruelty involved in producing meat and its only through self education that the truth has been revealed. My meat eating family and friends simply do not know. With subtleness I will eventually influence one or more to question their ethical lifestyle choices.
Andrew, you are an inspiration to me. Know that your beliefs and actions are a great comfort to many people, and the animals of this world can look to a brighter future because of people like you.
Hi Vickie,
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. The life you’re leading is genuinely inspiring, and I have no doubt that many people will be moved by your example.
Regarding social media, I share some concerns. It’s difficult to know how people spend their time beyond what we see online. Some may appear highly active on Facebook yet also devote significant effort elsewhere—leafletting, calling legislators, organizing events, protesting, creating plant-based content, or running advocacy-focused businesses. Others might use Facebook primarily as a social outlet while making meaningful contributions to animals in other ways.
That said, I do find it troubling how much time many self-described advocates seem to spend online (1) preaching to the choir, (2) making angry or punitive comments without any constructive call to action—such as contacting a legislator or district attorney—and (3) engaging in endless, circular threads that ultimately achieve little for animals.
This concerns me because social media holds tremendous potential as a tool for change, yet we often underutilize it. I wish more people who say they lose sleep thinking about what happens to animals—whether in factory farms, laboratories, or elsewhere—would channel that emotion into strategic, results-driven action.
That shift begins with self-reflection. My hope is that the questions I’ve shared serve as a compass for open-minded advocates seeking to increase their impact. Simply lamenting cruelty or criticizing those trying to make a difference rarely changes anything. What will change things is thoughtful, purposeful, and sustained effort.
YES!!!!
Thanks Andrew, both for your 10 questions, which should make a lot of people, including me, think about what more they can do to help animals, and also for your reply to Vickie. You inspire as usual.
Thank you Eileen. I appreciate your eagerness to maximize your impact for animals. It speaks volumes about you!
great article.
Very kind of you. Thank you Kathryn.
EXCELLENT Article!!