Is sharing what we know with others, and putting our effort into meaningful, good work important or desirable? ….. Yes!
Three years ago I left my corporate ergonomics job. Officially, I was retiring. I knew that there was more work for me to do, yet, I did not know exactly what that work would be, or where I would do it. I knew I wanted to make a difference in areas that mattered.
Over the ensuing 3 years I stepped up into volunteer positions supporting Sustainability and Climate action. I have made a contribution but don’t feel that my engagement level comes close to either my desire to be in action or has taken advantage of abilities.
Last Saturday I attended a wonderful community gathering. There, I found myself in a discussion with the wife of a friend, a woman I had not met before. She shared that she was considering retiring, partially because the part of her work which required her to use a computer was impacting both her body and state of mind in negative ways. My ears perked up as I recognized that the negative impacts on her from her work was likely related to ergonomics issues that I might be able to help her address. I realized I could make a difference for her and thereby allow her to make a choice about her future work without being affected by negative impacts of her current work.
I questioned her further about what it was that she felt were negative aspects of her current work and also shared with her that my profession was ergonomics and I might be able to help her. In our brief conversation, I was able to share with her a few simple, easy to implement actions and strategies that would make a meaningful positive difference for her in her work. It felt great to again bring forward my ergonomics understanding in a focused conversation with another person helping them to both feel better and be able to contribute more with their work.
This conversation has reminded me that I have the ability to contribute in ways that make a difference and that some of those ways are the result of my decades-long ergonomics career. Additionally, I am reminded how good it can feel to share, to be understood, be appreciated, and to make a meaningful and long lasting difference for others in the work that they are doing. This was always part of my joy in practicing ergonomics.
Now that I have been reminded of my ability to contribute, as an ergonomist, and the satisfaction I get doing so, I feel a renewed desire to find a way to make my contributions in a meaningful way on a regular and ongoing basis. My challenge is to develop and implement a strategy which will result in me contributing my ergonomics knowledge in ways that allow me to connect with others and make a difference in their lives and the work they do, while simultaneously contributing to what matters on a macro level in the world, sustainability and climate action. Challenge accepted.
Dan Gottesman, CPE
267-280-3505
DanGottesman@ergovation.com