A Post for People Who Wonder If Their Work Makes a Difference
Here’s a post that has nothing to do with cleantech, but everything to do with the heart and soul of the many people who work hard to accomplish something on behalf of others. Did you know that there are over 200,000 groups on planet Earth whose purpose is social and environmental justice? Think about the sheer enormity of all that horsepower. Then, for a moment, think about the many millions of these people who are involved with these groups, working tirelessly to ensure that we leave behind a clean and healthy planet …. and ask yourself: are there times when some of them doubt that they’re making a real difference? You bet there are.
That’s why I thought I’d share this email I just got from one of my closest friends, Terry Ribb. In the 30 years I’ve known her, she’s been variously a client (in three different companies), a reference, a mentor, a sounding board…and always an inspiration.
Currently, Terry’s on an assignment in Houston, Texas getting a new “lifestyle magazine” off the ground. She writes:
Subject: To my friends: I learned something important today
To my closest friends who wonder why we all work so hard,
As you all know, I’m working in Houston almost full time, trying to turn around ad sales for my magazine client.
Last year, I set the magazine’s brand and content strategy: we write about “experiences” that all of us can discover and enjoy. But even though readers love us, ad sales have been slow–agencies and businesses are not open, and often not kind about it, because we are the new guys.
Today, we got the email you see below, and I must say out loud, I thanked God for the inspiration. We are working seven days a week to save the magazine and emotions are running high.
See the message below; he’s describing the experiences we covered in our magazine. My lesson learned: Even something that seems superficial–a lifestyle magazine–can have an impact. I hope this inspires you to keep doing what you’re doing. It matters.
Terry
Becky (the magazine’s publisher):
Talk about coincidence…my partner and I were just reviewing the “Labyrinths” in the last issue and getting ready to head out to try to get to three of them today. Steve, my partner, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer this past year and you guys have served as such an amazing resource of all things Houston that I have been able to use to get him out and keep him a part of life. This evening we plan on picking up a 6-pack of Weedwacker beer and meet up with a number of friends to watch the bats come out at sunset.
You guys do a wonderful job of making all of us fall back in love with Houston. With special thanks from Steve and me.
