Have you ever shared a post about a cause you care about and felt a small rush when it got a bunch of likes? That feeling is a quick “ping” on a bell—a tiny, satisfying sound. But what if you want to make a big, loud, resounding “peal” that everyone can hear? That’s the difference between social media and real-world action.
Think about the contrast between sharing a post about a global crisis and helping a struggling family right in your own community. Both can make you feel good, but they are fundamentally different actions with very different impacts. It’s like the difference between sending a quick text and having a face-to-face conversation. One is fast and easy, while the other creates a lasting, real-world connection. To create a resounding peal of change, you have to move beyond the screen and take direct action in your community.
Tapping vs. Striking
Think of it like the Zen master and the bell. The master tells their student, “Give me a soft tap, and you’ll get a tiny ping. Strike hard, and you’ll receive a loud, resounding peal.”
Social media is often the soft tap. This includes sharing posts, infographics, and even engaging with video content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Substack. While these actions might get you some likes and shares, they are often a form of narrowcasting—targeting a specific audience that already agrees with you. Your visually appealing infographics, compelling text posts, and video discussions are primarily seen by your followers or people in similar echo chambers. This results in a “ping,” a feeling of engagement that doesn’t necessarily translate to tangible change. That little ping won’t fix a real problem, change a law, or hold powerful people accountable.
To do that, you have to strike hard. This means taking your cause beyond the curated audience of social media and into the real world. It means making the leap from a soft tap to a resounding peal through direct action.
The “Shiny Shortcut” vs. The “Long Way”
Scrolling through your feed and sharing posts is a “shiny shortcut.” It looks easy and fast, but it’s often an illusion. As Tony Perrizo points out, the real work—“the long way”—is what truly makes a difference.
The long way isn’t always glamorous. It’s the behind-the-scenes work:
Preparation: Researching who your elected officials are and what they believe.
Repetition: Showing up to meetings, even when they’re boring.
Building Trust: Talking to your friends, family, and neighbors and helping them understand why an issue is important.
This ‘long way’ requires endurance—a quality Nick Bare describes as ‘forged by those who are wise enough to commit consistently and endure the process.’ Similarly, Tony Perrizo reminds us that “building meaningful things happens mostly in the quiet actions of committing and enduring.” This means the real progress is found in the consistent, less visible efforts—the process itself.
Finding Time for What Matters
Inspired by John Mark Comer’s book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Tony Perrizo argues that our self-inflicted “hurry” is a modern affliction that prevents us from being truly present. Winning this internal battle is crucial, as it lays the foundation for real impact. This aligns with Plato’s timeless wisdom: “The first and best victory is to conquer self.”
This victory extends to managing your energy, a finite resource. In a world of endless demands, recognizing that you don’t owe your attention to everyone is an act of self-mastery, not selfishness. By setting a firm boundary—by declaring, “I don’t owe you anything”—you empower yourself to choose who and what is worthy of your time and emotional focus. This practice demands respect and ensures your resources are directed toward meaningful work and relationships, not distractions and echo chambers that drain you. Simplify your focus. Maximize your impact.
From Tapping to Striking.
So, how do you go from tapping to striking?
Stop Scrolling, Start Solving. Instead of just sharing a post, find out who has the power to change things. Look up your local mayor, city council, or state representatives.
Make a Direct Connection. Send an email, make a phone call, or even write a letter. Be polite but clear about what you want to see happen.
Get Out The Vote (GOTV). All this hard work leads to one powerful action: voting. If you’re a first-time voter, your vote is your peal. It’s the loudest, most important sound you can make. It’s not just about your vote, but also about helping your family and friends get theirs in, too.
“If we don’t get it on the calendar, it probably won’t happen!” – Tony Perrizo
Be Careful While Navigating Everyday Politics
Don’t feel pressured to get involved in every political issue. It’s smart to keep an eye on what’s happening in politics. Think of it like watching a play—try to understand the different characters (political parties, and their members) and what they’re trying to achieve.
Here are a few things to watch for:
Promises: Listen to what politicians promise during campaigns. Later, see if they actually try to follow through once they’re in office.
Arguments: Pay attention to how different parties argue. Are they talking about facts and solutions, or are they just attacking each other?
Motives: Ask yourself why a politician or party is doing something. Is it for the good of everyone, or is it for their own benefit or to get more power?
Sources: Be careful about where you get your news. Try to read news from a few different places to get a more balanced picture. If a news source makes one side look completely good and the other completely bad, it’s probably biased.
Understanding these things now will make you a more informed and prepared voter in the future.
