February 20, 2018
One of the Worst Four Letter Words Ever
I have noticed that one of the worse four letter in the English language is used way too frequently by Extension professionals and volunteers: J-U-S-T. That’s right, “just.” It is one of the most self-limiting and belittling words ever.
I usually hear it used in Extension when people are overwhelmed when we are facing big challenges.
• “I am just an Extension specialist!”
• “I am just an Extension agent!”
• “I am just an Extension volunteer!”
• “I am just an Extension program assistant!”
• “I am just an Extension office professional!”
• “I am just an Extension bookkeeper!”
• “I am just an Extension IT person!”
• “I am just in Extension publishing!”
• “I am just the custodian of our Extension offices!”
“Just” masks the fact that every Extension professional and volunteer plays a very important role in the Extension mission of providing the research-backed education that allows the public to improve their lives, livelihoods and communities. Some play direct roles in educating the public. Others play indirect roles by providing services that facilitate our system’s ability to educate the public. All would be far less efficient, if not lost, without the others.
“Just” also limits our potential impact. Some may say, “We are just Extension professionals and volunteers. Can we really address the big issues in life like the Grand Challenges?” Even a cursory glance at our Extension history proves that, yes, we really can address the big issues in meaningful ways when we try and when we work together.
So, let’s stay away from that four letter word. Just look at how the tone of the previous quotes change by dropping it:
• “I am an Extension specialist!”
• “I am an Extension agent!”
• “I am an Extension volunteer!”
• “I am an Extension program assistant!”
• “I am an Extension office professional!”
• “I am an Extension bookkeeper!”
• “I am and Extension IT person.”
• “I am in Extension publishing.”
• “I am the custodian of our Extension offices!”
We are Extension professionals and volunteers. Together, we can address any challenge! Together, we make a difference!