What part of the job did you only begin to truly appreciate once you were close to retirement?
I can honestly say, my family and the sacrifices they made over the years. We all talk about family / work balance, but I will tell you that the demands of jobs in turf, not just Superintendents, outweigh the demands of the family. Some will say they can work the balance to their favor, but I don’t believe them. As my dad once told me, when you retire, it will be time to get it back and I am working on that now!
The biggest thing is spending as much time with your family members as you can during your working years and after them.
I don’t think people who work in the agriculture field promote themselves enough and the people we work for or around tend to look at us like an NFL football coach, if you have a bad year or they don’t like you, you can be replaced. The pay is not the same, but you get the picture. Things have gotten better over the years with social media and our business associations promoting marketing efforts and community activities, but what is enough? and where does it end? The longer I have been in “The Business”, I have found it is up to US to individually promote.
When you research “hardest Jobs”, “most stressful Jobs”, etc. you will find many will have a line about people in agriculture. These things are important to promote, especially to your family and why.
I did a long PowerPoint presentation with voice recordings to my family about what I did during my career, why, and what I believe about life. They all received thumb drives with what I deemed, “My Legacy”. If asked, “Did you promote getting your kids into the business?” I promoted whatever made them happy. The game of Golf I promoted for fun, communication, friendships, exercise, etc. and they do play.
I did promote music a bunch because I always wanted to be lead singer in a rock band, and as many know, my son is in the band, All Time Low. My wife and I have been in many performing groups and if you look at my LinkedIn or Facebook profiles, you will see the new band that my daughter and I lead sing with, Middletown Sound. As you can see, I am doing my best to “Get it back.” At one point, my wife and I were going to so many of my son’s concerts around the world that we were being called, “The Party Parents.”
I do have to say that MANY of my close friends in the business have passed away before making it to retirement. Please make as much time as you can for your family and friends while you are growing in whatever career that you choose. Appreciate those things that matter most to you and communicate to all, WHY. You only walk / work this way once so make the best of it while you can.
Here is one good definition for you to think about when thinking about this writing.
“Love equals acts of kindness, affection, support, and a desire to be together. It is often expressed through deep, selfless concern for another's happiness.”
-Mark S. Merrick, CGCS Retired
Introducing ‘Merrick Mondays’, a segment where we hear from Mark Merrick, our resident brand Ambassador, Chief ‘Cool” Officer, and general source of wisdom and secrets of the universe, to spotlight a dose of interview-style content, weekly.