Your role is important

By Jeff Becraft

My wife, my favorite mother-in-law (and I frequently tell her she is my favorite mother-in-law) and all my sisters-in-law like Hallmark movies… especially around Christmas time.  I can handle some Hallmark movies.  But there are some that certainly there must be some chore around the house that I need to do and I need to do it right now.  And no one seems to appreciate when I say, “OK… do you want me to tell you what is going to happen in this movie?”

There is one thing about Hallmark movies… that guy who stacks the firewood at a Christmas inn, drinks coffee all day, hangs out with the locals every day at the local sandwich shop, and still lives in an $800,000 house…

I want that guy’s job.

Regardless of what your job or title is, though, your role is important.

There are many situations we put Youth Corps students in where they don’t have a title.  As one of my friends says, “Having a title no more makes you a leader than sticking your head in an oven makes you a biscuit.”  Hard to get much more profound than that right there.

We want them to catch the vision that their role is important and they have an effect on what is going on and the overall picture.

It is easy to get lost in “my job really doesn’t matter.”  Nothing could be further from the truth.

Just last night, we had a session where three alumni shared principles that they apply now that they are out in the work force.  One of the ones that resonated with all three of them went along these lines: “Embrace the moment where you are right now.  Be totally there.  Don’t look around and compare yourself to others.  Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Let’s not shrink back because we think other people are more important or that they are the ones who are significant or “my role really doesn’t matter.”

You are important.  And whatever role you fill… at work or at home… is extremely significant.  So let’s live out that role with joy and enthusiasm.

It’s a great day to have a great day!

Jeff Becraft is the Executive Director for Youth Corps and has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives.  Youth Corps is a life-changing leadership development experience that inspires high school students to be leaders in the Midlands and beyond. You can connect with Jeff at [email protected].