Making a lasting impact

Lately, workplace angst has been getting much attention. I’m talking about the “quiet quitting” trend, strikes, lay-offs and walkouts — even the theme of much of the advice given by our “25 Under 35” award winners to other young professionals rang with messages for self-care and not “putting it all” on the company line.

This brought up thoughts and feelings from my past stints in corporate America. I understand the desire to stay healthy, have a personal life and limit the amount of “self ” one loses to their career. I’ve “burnt the candle at both ends,” spent countless late nights finishing projects that were later shelved and cut weekends and vacations short to feed the corporate machine. At the time, late nights, long hours and time spent teetering on the verge of burn-out were all badges of honor I wore proudly. Kind of crazy as I now look back on it.

As a publisher, I understand the business challenges, as well as the need to watch the bottom line. But I understand today’s prolabor movement. I echo the advice for self-care and protection. There is wisdom in “putting your oxygen mask on first.” If you give of yourself until there is nothing left, how can you possibly serve your company, co-workers and audience effectively? Even Jacinda Arden, the celebrated prime minister of New Zealand, has decided that enough is enough.

The news industry is a calling that is inspirational and challenging. Yet, the same principle of putting yourself first must guide us even in our critical roles — maybe more. Our jobs put us in contact with heart-wrenching stories, real lives and difficult situations. We’re living and working at a time when trust in our industry is questioned, newsrooms are understaffed, revenue is more difficult than ever and expenses are rising at an alarming rate. The stress is not just physical, but it’s most often mental and emotional. The current focus on mental health is critical, and life balance is vital for mental protection.

Several of our stories this month highlight the need for checking on ourselves and checking on each other in the workplace. These are challenging times, and we work in a demanding industry. As Natascia Lypny, one of our deserving “25 Under 35,” noted, “You can’t make a lasting impact if you only last five years.” The news industry is a wonderful place to make a lasting impact. Let’s all do what we can to ensure we survive — and thrive.