Recently, I attended a service-learning workshop. Now, I know what you might be thinking. You’re thinking that I’m going to tell you to volunteer, volunteer, and volunteer some more!
Well, I’m not.
And actually, that is what I was expecting to hear as well. However, I was delighted to learn that this particular workshop wasn’t focused on volunteering. (Disclaimer: Volunteering your time is neat and does a lot of good for your community and yourself. If you can, great! But I’m not telling you that you need to, per the sentences above.)

The focus of the workshop was effort and sacrifice, more specifically:

“Is my effort worth someone else’s sacrifice?”

What a question. My knee jerk response: “Yes. Totally!” However, after careful thought, “yes” isn’t always the answer. In reality, the answer is, “Sometimes.”
Sometimes my efforts, for lack of a better word, suck. I get stuck on myself and can’t see beyond whatever problem is right in front of me. While I’m wallowing in my own issues, it’s easy for me to forget about the bigger picture – those who give up something in direct relation to my work.
Phoning it in or putting in a small, sad, poor effort is not worth the sacrifice of others that depend on you. Think about your customer. They sacrifice money from their pocket for what you sell. Even if you aren’t the one manufacturing that product, you are still part of it. Your efforts still add to the result.
Since this workshop, I’ve been striving to make “yes” my permanent answer. When I fall into a negative space, I try to remind myself that someone gives up something for me every day. It’s a challenge to constantly reevaluate and adjust how I’m feeling and reacting to things around me. But, I know what a bad attitude and not showing up for those who depend on me would do instead. My customers, coworkers, and family deserve my best.
Will your efforts in this new year be worth someone else’s sacrifice?
photo credit:© iStock.com/CreativaImages

If you ask Girl Wonder, effort and sacrifice go hand in hand. Like what Angie has to say? Leave a comment or get in touch with her directly!