Sue seems ageless to me. She’s been my administrative assistant two days a month for 15 years now. At first, I thought Sue mostly wanted my very part-time work as a retirement income supplement. Then a couple years in, I learned that she found the work meaningful, helping me help people, a part of my two-person team. Wow, she was doing the work partly for the value of meaning, just like I encourage my clients. Does your contribution to the world bring you meaning, whether work, volunteering or family?
What can you do to keep you going? To keep things fresh? To keep you fresh?
Sue does just that and is an inspiration to me. She might not think so. She’s just been doing her thing. Church work, hosting weekly sing-a-longs, working out at the local community center. A long time effort has been her leadership in the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania, an affiliate of a national educational nonprofit offering funeral consumer support. Sue was on the board for almost ten years, including as Secretary and Treasurer. A couple of years ago at the age of 76, she stepped up to be President of the group during a major transition period. About two months ago, I saw the fall newsletter she wrote announcing activities, including the annual meeting. It was so professionally done, and it struck me that she was in essence running a business, this meaningful organization.
How lucky I’ve been to have had Sue’s talents all these years. I wanted to recognize her today on Administrative Professionals Day.
Who might you want to recognize and thank for the support and inspiration they’ve given you?
What keeps YOU going? What might you do to help make your days on this earth even more meaningful? If exploring a career change or retirement path, I’m happy to help.
