On Sunday, we went to sleep in a world where people weren’t having it—where people in the United States rushed to the airports around the country to protest the ban. Where millions of dollars from around the world were donated to the likes of the ACLU and CAIR. Where thousands of lawyers descended upon protestor-filled airports to help fight the ban. And where millions of people took to social media to share their heartbreak and outrage and provide solutions for how we move forward from here.

This morning I woke up filled with trepidation, wondering how we, as a people, move forward into such uncharted territory. As grief dictates, we usually begin with denial. Denial that we couldn’t possibly be living in such a time as this. Denial that the most basic of human rights could be so arbitrarily cast down upon. But this morning, the denial phase is behind me and has instead been replaced with hope and inspiration. The phase where we rally together to say, “All are welcome,” and as Angela Blanchard, CEO of Neighborhood Centers says, “We have more than enough to go around.” Because the fact is, our country wouldn’t be what it is today without immigrants. And we are all in this together. Together in our cities. In our states. In our countries. On this planet. This shared humanity.

So we must shake this disbelief and come together as a people. Let us engage civilly and with respect. Let us remember that this isn’t a left or right issue, but a human issue, and we all hold the power to make a difference.

So I leave you with this—before you go to sleep tonight, take action today in one of the three ways below:

Donate to a cause, a nonprofit, a local organization—someone who can take what you’re able to give and make it go farther for you.

Write a letter or pick up the phone. Or hell, do both! Click here to find the contact information for your representatives and speak your mind. If you operate better with a script, use this one.

Come together with your fellow man/woman and protest, peacefully.

And tonight, as you go to sleep, as today’s rhetoric echoes around in your head and the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring floats before your eyes, “do not go gentle into that good night.” We as Americans have always been stronger when we are together and that will not change in the coming hours, days, weeks, months or years.

I’m proud to work with a team that shares these views. This morning, I shared my thoughts with them and as a result, we jumped into action and put together this action resource guide today—and will continue to build it out as we come across new opportunities. We also invite you to join our ambassador team, a group we call on when critical issues arise or worthwhile causes need support. Chances are, we’re fighting for something you care about. Take a look.

On Saturday, we woke up in a world where the President of the United States put a curb on immigration by signing an order calling for a ban barring travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries.

Take Action

Condensed

Note: you may feel overwhelmed just opening that article. Admittedly, it’s long, but I hope that what I’ve gathered below gets the big ideas across.

In achieving goals, there are two important factors: believing and planning.

“You are the writer of your own narrative,” Benjamin Hardy says. Hardy suggests that to reach our goals, we need to be taking responsibility for our actions and be convicted. First, we need to understand that we control our outcomes. Then, we need to believe that we are able and that it’s possible. Go ahead, give yourself an encouraging pat on the back.

“The principle is simple: Don’t just plant a tree, plant an orchard.” We need to be thinking ahead, not just for this year, but the next. For 1, 3 and 5 years away. Because who would Darth Vader be without George Lucas’ clear, long-term vision? Just another villain? SPOILER ALERT! Never Luke’s father?

As an agency, we’re always planning. Production timelines, processes, answers to questions that haven’t come up. And when we’re confronted with something we didn’t plan for we’re able to pivot, knowing and trusting our original plan is there to guide us. We always have positive outcomes for our clients, and we always believe we are capable of making those things happen.

Today, I asked our team (and want to ask you) to tell me, not what you’re planning for this year, but for the next. What do you believe you can do? It could be personal. It could be professional. Write it down. Commit to it. Then tell us in the comments.

Go ahead. Take a minute to panic because you already feel behind and overwhelmed.

Planning for Now Isn’t Good Enough

Go ahead. Take a minute to panic because you already feel behind and overwhelmed. Now take a deep breath because Benjamin P. Hardy is here to help.