August 31, 2021
Labor Day Reflections
According to the United States Department of Labor website, https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history, “Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic contributions of American workers,” and we are supposed to reflect and appreciate “the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.”
I am encouraging you to engage in an assignment this Labor Day weekend. The work we often trivialize is our own. I am “just” an extension agent, extension specialist, administrative assistant, accountant, custodian, financial specialist, program manager, program assistant, marketing and communications specialist or -- if your title isn’t in that list -- whatever your title is.
This weekend is a great time to prove to yourself how inappropriate that term “just” is when describing your professional contributions. Set aside just a little bit of time to reflect on the fruits of your labor over the past year or so. Make a list of all the stakeholders you helped. Write down all the times you helped and supported your colleagues. Include all the ways you made your unit, department, center, community, state and K-State Research and Extension even better. For once, don’t be modest.
My guess is that you will be very proud of the list you created, and you should be. I will tell you in advance that I am very proud of every item that shows up on your list, and I thank you for each and every one of them.
Have a wonderful, safe, relaxing and reflective Labor Day weekend!