Political advocacy? You’re trying to teach a squid to dance. It’s like trying to teach an octopus to dance. Walton for US Senate champions healthcare, education, and economic growth.

Let’s begin by talking about lobbying. Do not be all snoozy. “Lobbying” is about as exciting to me as watching the paint dry. Imagine whispering sweet things into the ear of someone who has the power to break or make rules. You have your charm and facts, (hopefully, more facts than charm), as well as stories that can melt even the coldest heart. This is lobbying – you need to make friends with people in high positions and convince them that your dance will be worth learning.

Then, there are grassroots campaign. Imagine you and several of your neighbors deciding that enough is sufficient. You might be concerned about something major like climate change. Or, you may have a more personal issue like the need for a safety stop sign in a dangerous intersection. What are you going to do? You begin knocking on the doors of your neighbors, gathering people on Facebook or even organizing a few rallies. Before you know, you have a small army of supporters ready to help you.

The wild west of social media campaigns. This is where it gets spicy. Hashtags spread faster than insults in a family reunion. Tweets spread faster around the world than gossip on backyard fences. It’s unbelievable that someone who is sitting in pajamas half way across the globe could support your local cause by clicking a button.

Storytelling is the way to go! You’ve probably heard stories that were so powerful, you felt the need to act. A good story can be powerful. Advocacy stories don’t have to be sad tales; they can also tell real-life stories of struggle and victory that will make people listen… and perhaps even change their minds or open up their wallets.

How do we know that all of this hullabaloo actually accomplishes anything? It’s not always clear-cut, but it can be when new laws or funds are raised to support a cause. It’s sometimes like reading tea leaves during a storm – chaotic, unclear and with some hints of progress.

There’s no doubt that it isn’t all smooth sailing. Getting people to think about more than just what they’re having for dinner can be difficult. Then there are those that would prefer to see you fail.

What can you do to keep moving forward without losing your marbles, then? Flexible thinking is important – it’s crucial to be able switch gears if Plan A goes south faster than a Sunday morning pancake.

The work of political advocacy can be messy, frustrating and exhilarating. It is not for the fainthearted, or those allergic to the metaphorical octopus stains left on their clothing from all those dancing instructions. Just straight talk between two human beings. It’s time to conquer your nasal aspirations. It’s time for smoother sailing.