For the record, I’m not quitting my role as editor of this publication. I have decided I need to quit some of the other responsibilities I’ve signed up for in life.
In my spare time, I have spent the last four years as a member of a church board and 15 years on a committee that hosts an annual dairy event. As much as I believe in each of these causes, I realize it is time for me to step aside to open up more time in my life.
Like climbing a ladder, you need to let go of one rung before you can reach for the next. This is what excites me about the notion of quitting. Since I will no longer devote my time in these areas, I am free to pursue new and different opportunities.
I can climb another couple of rungs up the ladder and experience another view in life. What I will do next is still unknown, but to at least open up the realm of possibility is a great first step.
As exciting as this is, and as eager as I am to move onward and upward, I also know there is quite a bit of work to a proper transition. In both instances, I have been busy pulling together files and information I acquired during my tenure so my successor can be well equipped to take over. Specifically for the dairy event, it took me a few years early on to learn and refine the tasks to which I was assigned.
By passing along the knowledge I acquired, it will help the next person get off the ground running and save them a great deal of time. Plus, it is reassuring to know my efforts will not be lost and, hopefully, the organizations can use the files to build upon the work I have put in, instead of spending that time rebuilding.
In making these decisions, it has perpetuated a trend for the year to see what else I can quit. I find myself evaluating many items that have become common practices over time to see if they need to be continued, if there is a simpler way, or if I can quit doing some of them.
In my daily work, and in others I work with, I have begun to ask questions to see what we can quit doing to open up our valuable time to accomplish more important work.
If you’re getting tired of current practices, maybe you want to consider being a quitter, too. As you go about your day, start looking at what you don’t need to do any more.
Talk to your management team members and employees to identify tasks they find to be redundant or no longer necessary. Perhaps, in eliminating some processes or even larger commitments, it will create an opening for that time and energy to help your farm climb a few more rungs up the ladder and explore new possibilities. 
-
Karen Lee
- Editor
- Progressive Dairyman
- Email Karen Lee
