"Do What You Love, Save Lives"

Stop Wasting Your Time and Our Money

Traditional awareness campaigns are about as engaging as watching paint dry because they attempt to mold everyone into a uniform type of advocate. By distributing rigid scripts and enforcing strict guidelines, these campaigns systematically strip away individual creativity and authenticity. The harsh reality is that typical awareness initiatives often offer no meaningful benefits and, in some cases, can actually cause more harm than good. It doesn’t take exceptional intelligence to recognize this fundamental flaw.

So why haven’t organizers taken the time to develop a more effective approach? Perhaps they are too preoccupied with planning their next fundraiser or soliciting donations to focus on meaningful change. Who knows what truly drives their continued adherence to ineffective strategies.

Here are a few things traditional campaigns don’t take into consideration.

The Scare Tactic Theory: This is the theory that suit guy relies on most – basically using fear to scare folks off drugs. While fear may grab attention in the short term, constant fear tactics lead to anxiety, lower self-esteem, and often lead to drugs use.

In a nutshell, while traditional campaigns have good intentions, human behavior is far more nuanced than simple messaging. Corporate approaches and scare tactics have proven ineffective over the past 20 years, making it critical to try something new. We won’t call out specific individuals or organizations, but they know who they are. We DARE you to develop an approach that genuinely works and stop squandering time and resources.

At the very least, sign up for our free gear program. We’ll equip you with the tools you need, giving you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

The Power of Self-Determination Theory

Ever feel awkward when you’re handed a script and told exactly what to say? It feels unnatural, doesn’t it? That’s because we, as humans, make the most significant impact when we’re genuine and true to ourselves. Back in the 1980s, psychologists Edward Deci and Richard Ryan introduced the Self-Determination Theory, which reveals that people are most motivated and effective when they act autonomously, feel competent, and are free to do what they love.

Why does it matter if someone teaching or sharing their experiences is in their zone and doing their thing? To understand exactly what it means we need to understand a few things.

When someone is doing what they are passionate about, they radiate an energy that can be contagious to those around them. Below are a few theories we recommend exploring further.

“Flow Theory”: When someone loves what they’re doing, they enter a state of flow, a state of complete immersion in an activity. Flow, according to cognitive psychologist Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, results to increased effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.

“Transformational Learning Theory”: Jack Mezirow’s theory suggest those passionate about what they are doing provide transformative experiences for those around them, altering their perspectives and encouraging deeper understanding and better retention.

Dual-Coding Theory: This theory proposed by Allan Paivio suggests that participants are more likely to remember information when it is presented both verbally and visually. An enthusiastic and passionate individual is more likely to use a combination of techniques, thereby increasing retention rates.

Emotional Contagion Theory
Definition: Emotional contagion refers to the subconscious transmission of emotions from one person to another. Positive emotions, such as excitement and passion, are highly contagious.

The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive
Emotions
Definition: This theory, proposed by Barbara Fredrickson, suggests that positive emotions broaden a person’s thought processes and build their psychological resources.

Social Learning Theory
Definition: Albert Bandura’s theory emphasizes that people learn through observation and imitation of others, particularly those they admire or perceive as competent.

Rather than handing out flashcards and telling people how to start those life-saving conversations, we want to ask: What do you love doing? What are you passionate about? That’s where we want you to start.

The Science of Collective Action

Start With What You Love: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Awareness Your Way
Step 1: Discover Your Passion
Alright, grab a pen and some paper (or your favorite note-taking app) and get comfortable. Start by drawing two big circles side by side. In the first circle, write down all the things you’re passionate about—activities, hobbies, causes, anything that makes you feel alive. Think about questions like:
What could I talk about for hours without getting bored?
What am I always excited to learn more about?
What do I love doing, even when no one’s watching?
In the second circle, leave it blank for now. We’ll come back to it later. Don’t overthink this step—just let the ideas flow. Whether it’s painting, organizing events, or helping others, it all counts. Your passion is the heart of what makes your guide special.

Step 2: Find the Connection
Now, look at that second circle. This is where we start connecting your passions to making a difference. Ask yourself:
How can this thing I love doing help raise awareness?
What unique skills or perspectives do I bring to the table?
For example, if you love cooking, you might organize a community dinner and weave in conversations about your cause. If you’re into music, write a song or create a playlist that inspires action. Write these ideas in the second circle and see how many connections you can make. Remember, there’s no wrong way to do this. It’s about combining your interests with your desire to create change.

Step 3: Dream Up Your Guide
This is where it gets exciting—you’re going to plan your awareness guide! Think of it as a roadmap for your mission. Start by answering these key questions:

What’s your message?
Be specific. Instead of “I want people to know about this issue,” say, “I want to help parents understand the warning signs of fentanyl exposure.”
Who’s your audience?
Is it your local community, social media followers, or a specific group like teachers or teens? Knowing your audience will shape how you communicate.
What’s your format?
Will you host an event, create a video series, or write a blog? Pick something that aligns with your strengths.
Jot these answers down, and don’t worry about getting it perfect. Your guide will evolve as you go. The important thing is to start putting your ideas into a tangible plan.

Step 4: Start Small, Dream Big
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Start with a single action that feels manageable. If your idea is a neighborhood event, start by reaching out to a few friends for help. If it’s a social media campaign, draft your first post and see how people respond. Small steps build momentum, and before you know it, you’ll have something amazing to show for your efforts.
Remember, every big movement started with one small idea. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small it seems. Every step you take brings you closer to creating meaningful change.

Step 5: Make It Fun
Let’s be real—if you’re not enjoying yourself, neither will anyone else. Inject fun and creativity into your project. Think about ways to make your guide engaging, like:
Hosting a costume party if you’re into theater or dressing up.
Creating colorful, eye-catching visuals if you’re a design enthusiast.
Adding personal stories or humor to make your message relatable.
When you bring your passion into the process, it becomes infectious. People are drawn to authenticity and joy, so let your enthusiasm shine through every aspect of your guide.

Step 6: Inspire Others
Once you’ve started creating your guide, share your journey. Talk about the challenges, the successes, and everything in between. Use social media, community groups, or even one-on-one conversations to spread your message. Show people that anyone can make a difference by doing what they love.
Your energy and passion will inspire others to join in. You might find people offering to help or even starting their own projects because of you. That’s the beauty of authentic awareness—it creates ripples far beyond what you could imagine.

Final Thoughts
You don’t need to follow someone else’s script to make an impact. The most powerful awareness campaigns come from people who are true to themselves. By starting with what you love and building from there, you’ll create something not only meaningful but also uniquely yours.
Ready to get started? Take that first step—draw those circles, write down your passions, and let your creativity guide the way. The world is waiting for your voice!
Let me know if you’d like any specific sections to be expanded further!

This movement isn’t about conforming to a predefined mold; it’s about embracing your authentic self to make a real difference. By doing what you love, you have the power to save lives and inspire others.

We’re not just concerned—we’re committed to action. And we believe that your authentic self is exactly what this fight needs.
Join us today and become part of a movement that celebrates individuality, passion, and genuine impact. Together, we can turn the tide against the fentanyl crisis.

Stop Wasting Your Time and Our Money

The Power of Self-Determination Theory

The Science of Collective Action

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