On Friday I will be engaging in a conversation with other chaplains about what our Pastoral Care Department does and which of the things we do I have responsibility for making sure they happen.  Like the author in the image above I started with a blank sheet of paper.  I made three headings on my list:

• Clinical Assignments
• Health System-wide Administrative Duties (This consists of committees I serve on)
• Departmental Administrative Duties

Once I had my headings I went through the two drawers of my desk and looked the hanging files in them to see which files represented items that belong on the list.  I had to it this way because just writing a list of what I do seemed mentally overwhelming to me at the time.  It was actually an efficient idea, because anything I do has some sort of paper trail.  I was able to copy some papers to take to the meeting to illustrate items on my list.

I offer this illustration to you.  Look at the names on the file folders in your desk and list the name of things that would fit on a list of what you do.  I feel you will be affirmed that you make a variety of contributions within your employment setting that do not come to mind instantly.  Everyone no matter what their task needs to know their presence and efforts are of value both to the employer and to those who are ultimately served.