Inside the U.S. Bishops Labor Day Statement: Hope Amidst Hard Times

Raise your hand if you know someone who is out of work.

It seems like this year is hitting my hard as I have several friends and family members who are still looking for work.  Each is dedicated, bright and hard working.  They have simply found themselves in the middle of a wicked economic downturn.

As Christians, it's hard to know just how we ought to respond to either those who are unemployed or the way in which the government is trying to steady the ship.  The US Bishops may be of help in this situation.

Each year the US Bishops issue a statement on Labor Day weekend.  Their goal is simple: apply Catholic principles to the challenges of the day.  This year's statement, "A New Social Contract for Today's New Things" was issued by Bishop Murphy of Rockville Centre as he is the chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development.

I'd like to break down the document in a format that is simple and hopefully, easy to apply to whatever situation you may find yourself in this Labor Day weekend.

Introduction

  • "This year has been difficult for many workers."

  • The Bishops explain that, at the current rate of small US economic growth, it would take nearly seven years to reclaim the jobs that were present prior to the economic collapse.

  • The need has never been greater for a new 'social contract', linking workers with new opportunities for productivity.


Catholic Social Teaching

  • Here the Bishops discuss the Church's tradition of teaching on matters of work.

  • Citing the 1891 breakthrough Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII, the Bishops speak of how Leo responded to the pressing needs of workers in his time.  Today's Pope through his bishops is trying to do the same.

  • Central to the Church's response to unemployment and exploitation today is the centrality of the worker.  The worker has dignity, plain and simple.


Work, Workers and the Economy

  • "Work is good for every person."

  • "Work is that aspect of life that allows us to care for ourselves and those we love and to contribute to the wider society."

  • In the political context, the Bishops explain that, for an unemployed person, work is THE most important issue.  Not health care.  Not even social issues.  It's work that puts food on the table.  Just ask someone who is out of work.


Conclusion

  • "We find ourselves at a crucial moment in economic life.  Workers need to have a real voice and effective protections in economic life."

  • Finally, the Bishops remind all readers that work allows people to be co-creators with God.  When we are without work, we don't share as fully in God's power to work within us and thus within society.


It's my hope that we'll each thank God for whatever employment we have.  Even if your job isn't perfect (whose is?), be grateful and find a way to make it better.  For those who are still looking for work, pray for them and put your creative powers to work on their behalf.  Is there someone in your network that could help them?

To read the complete text, click here.

*Photo by Robert Couse-Baker

Should the CEO Practice GTD?



What do you think of this new clip courtesy of GTD Times?  I've made it a habit of recommending David Allen's books and resources to all new hires.  It's become a bit of a game to see which GTD tool will help each person.  Will it be the GTD Implementation Guide, the DavidCo website or one of David's books?

As an executive myself, I've seen time and time again that the principles behind GTD never get old.  Write things down...clear your head...manage your lists.

The Single Most Important Book I've Read this Year

At a party held this past week, a friend asked me about the past year at work.  A new leadership position has given me an opportunity to shape an organization and learn from some of the best and brightest that New Jersey has to offer.  Most of my friends are curious about how the job has changed me and my family.  Our core is pretty solid so our family has rolled with the punches of added evening commitments and earlier mornings.

Me on the other hand?  I've learned a ton.

The biggest thing I've learned is that I'm a strong introvert and while I knew this on some levels, the job has challenged me to learn even more about myself.  Learn more or burn out- that's the thing on most days.  Thankfully, school life is a hotbed for learning so things are getting easier every day.

I turned to a book which has, and I'm not exagerating, literally changed my life.  As an avid reader, few books leave the impression that Devora Zack's latest book has made in my everyday outlook.  Networking for those who Hate Networking is phenomenal!  It shows an introvert how to retain energy, listen more deeply and navigate life.

Zack argues that many introverts feel judged according to an extrovert set of metrics.  Think back to when you were a student in high school.  The old "class participation" portion of your grade was largely made up of the number of times that you raised your hand and spoke up.  Unfortunately, this metric is almost totally geared to extroverts- those who talk in order to think.  It can leave an introvert feeling slighted or worse yet, unintelligent.

Introverts, on the other hand, think in order to talk.  They need to process things on their own and then, only later, speak up.  Process is the key word.

They also crave time alone.  Like oxygen, the introvert needs to close the door and do work on their own.  This certainly applies to me as I need to go  for walks, put my head down and focus on a deep level.  When I don't, I feel wholly drained of energy and things get cranky.  My dad would go for drives on summer nights and now I know why- he's an introvert and needed time to think.

I'm learning how to attend conferences smarter.  My daily schedule is also getting some adjustments as to how best to use my energy and windows of focus.  In short, Zach's book has taught me more about myself than any other in the past year.  It's terrific to go deeper into myself so that I can then be more for those around me.

Application Points

As you go through your week, consider those around you who are introverts.  These could be family members, coworkers or neighbors.  They're not being rude by spending time alone- they're just recharging.  Find ways to give them the space they need to operate on a daily basis.  They're just wired differently and that's perfectly OK.

Bonus Material

Here is a brief interview with author Devora Zack on her introverted insights.