Laboring in Vain or with Victory in Mind?
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Tiffany Tyler-Garner, PhD
This month we celebrate Labor Day, a day commemorating the achievements of workers. With this commemoration, we have an opportunity to consider our labor, including:
How we labor
For whom we labor
For what we labor
The impact of our labor
We also have an opportunity to ensure that our laboring is not in vain. Today, I hope you will take hold of each of these opportunities.
Please begin by considering how you labor. Do you do labor by ensuring the proper conditions for labor? Minimally, are you ensuring the proper rest, diet, and balance needed for optimal labor? If you answered no to this consideration, PIVOT!
Prioritize maintaining the conditions needed for optimal labor. This pivot may include establishing some practices like scheduling time to rest or eat properly. It may also include a shift in mindset like working to capacity instead of working until the work is done. Once you have considered how you labor, consider for whom you are laboring.
There is value in knowing for whom you are laboring. There is also value in ensuring that others know that you are working for them. Whether it is your organization, your family, or your community, there is something to be gained from others knowing that you are laboring for them. Being clear about the value proposition of your laboring engenders support and solidarity. It can also be the foundation of strong partnership.
Conversely, when we neglect to inform others that we are laboring for their interest or wellbeing, they may undervalue or even sabotage our efforts. Accordingly, having a shared understanding of our laboring can be helpful.
Another important consideration when laboring is defining for what you labor. While many note laboring for compensation, there may also be factors like calling, purpose, stability, impact, growth, or innovation. Being clear about what you labor for can be a powerful why! It can also bring clarity to perceived sacrifices, serve as a compass, and a catalyst when interest wanes.
Be sure to remember what you are working for during tough times, moments and fatigue, and instances of challenges. This reminder can help you sustain your effort if you are motivated by purpose.
Yet another powerful consideration for laboring is determining our desired impact. It is important to determine our desired impact because this determination can enable us to evaluate and adjust our efforts, or laboring, as needed. Moreover, this benchmark is essential to maintaining progress and achieving our goals. Accordingly, we should empower our laboring by consistently assessing our pace, progress, and approach. By doing so we refine our laboring with an eye toward success.
Lastly, be sure you are not laboring in vain. We may labor in vain, when we are not clear about each of these considerations:
For whom we labor
For what we labor
Why we labor
What will be the result of our labor
Being clear about each of these considerations ensures our laboring is not in vain because of poor strategy, lack of focus, misalignment, apathy, or sabotage.
This month as we celebrate Labor Day, make sure you are laboring with victory in mind!
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