Caterina Rossi
If anyone were to ask me what the common denominator amongst all journalists I meet is, I wouldn’t think twice about the answer: passion and motivation.
Journalists are constantly craving more – more knowledge, stories and justice. Motivation is crucial for delivering compelling stories in the fast-paced field of journalism. However, in an oversaturated professional landscape rife with layoffs, motivation can come and go, and any writer might wake up one day to find out it has abandoned them.
1. The feeling you get when you have a great or important story.
2. The knowledge that even on its worst days, it’s the best job in the world.
3. The conviction that what we do matters.
5. The belief that good journalism is vitally important and worth fighting for.— Jana G. Pruden (@jana_pruden) November 7, 2019
To combat this, here are five tips to keep you motivated and inspired as a journalist:
1. Stay Informed
The world can be a chaotic and sometimes cruel place. So much injustice happens daily that many of these cases are swept under the rug and the stories are left untold. This is why journalists exist; they are the seekers of truth and the voices of the voiceless.
Ignorance is bliss, but knowledge is liberating, and the more you know, the harder it will become to turn the other way. As we all know: “with great power comes great responsibility.” Keep engaged with the current events happening both internationally and locally and let the anger motivate you.
2. Take A Break
That being said, the weight of bad news can be discouraging. Learning about what is happening in the world can help fuel your passion, but we all have a breaking point.
It is important to give yourself breaks in order to recharge. It’s not about avoiding reality, but finding moments to rest and rejuvenate. This practice ensures that you can return to your work with a fresh perspective and renewed motivation.
3. Get Inspired
I didn’t wake up one day and realise I wanted to become a journalist. I couldn’t pinpoint one specific event that encouraged me to embark on this journey. Nevertheless, as a child, two of my pivotal encounters with journalism was the movie All President’s Men (1976) and Nellie Bly’s book Ten Days in a Mad-House (1887). Consider the tales of journalists like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who unravelled the Watergate conspiracy, or Nellie Bly, who pioneered investigative journalism by going undercover to expose the mistreatment of mental health patients.
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They revealed the courage and resilience required to bring important stories to light. Draw inspiration from the stories of journalists who faced challenges head-on and made a significant impact. While much of today’s world might occasionally trick us into believing that there is little hope, history teaches us another lesson.
These journalists, and many more, were crucial in bringing about positive change. They serve as a reminder of the importance of journalism in our society and that there is always hope. If they did it, you can too.
4. Connect With Your Community
It is key to remember that your audience needs you as much as you need them. Engage with them, understand your stories’ impact on them, and acknowledge their concerns. This connection creates a sense of purpose, reminding you of the importance of what you are doing.
Online journo communities can also be a great place to connect with fellow journalists. X and LinkedIn are bustling with networks of journalists. UK-based queer journalists can also seek support and inspiration from the LQBTQ+ Journalism Network, and We Are Black Journos is a network of black journalists you can connect with on social media or at physical and virtual events.
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5. Remember Your Origins
Consider the impact you hoped to make when you first entered journalism. Why did you choose this path? What did you desire to achieve? Did you envision shedding light on societal issues, challenging the status quo, or giving a voice to marginalised communities? Reconnecting with these foundational aspirations helps you anchor your work in a sense of purpose, acting as a constant motivator.
Motivation in the field is a dynamic interplay of passion, righteousness, real-life inspiring stories, and a constant awareness of one’s purpose. These elements all contribute to journalists’ ability to remain motivated in the challenging and occasionally disheartening world they navigate.
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Featured image courtesy of Andrew Neel via Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image. Image license found here.
