Recognizing Leisure Achievements

WHILE IT IS EASY for most of us to understand the recognition of accomplishments related to the work environment, it may not be quite as simple to think about achievements associated with leisure. However, both are important.

Ronnie, a worker who is named as "Employee of the Month;" Susan, a college instructor who is promoted to the rank of assistant professor; Ethel Mae, a business professional who is honored for ten years of service; all of these, and others like them, we have heard about - and we applaud!

But, Frank, an individual who walks twenty miles in a week; Catherine, a person who reads twenty books during a summer; or Jerry, a beginning artist who finishes his first painting; all of these may go mostly unnoticed. In such cases, the recognition of leisure achievements is needed also. Other examples of individuals and groups who deserve to be honored are mentioned below, and they make up the pictures in this article.

* Speakers who win an oratorical contest
* A woodcarver who creates beauty
* Ball players who win a championship
* A lady who completes a marathon
* A fisherman who reels-in the Biggest Catch

Honors and accolades may be bestowed upon individuals, groups, or both. In addition, acknowledgements may be public or private; widespread or narrow; or totally personal.

It may be a situation where no one else knows about some achievement during leisure. Then, it's a matter of a self-award! Perhaps it's a feeling of doing well. Maybe it's a goal that was reached. Whatever it is, a person should stop - take notice - and realize the value and importance of the attainment, success, or triumph.

In other situations families, friends, co-workers, or the general public are already aware of an individual or group success which occurred during free-time activities. With this awareness, some sort of recognition is appropriate. It could be in the form of a newspaper story, a framed certificate, a plaque, a trophy, formal recognition at an awards banquet, or a number of other possibilities.

What all of this boils down to for most of us is this: (1) either we need to congratulate ourselves for personal leisure achievements; or, (2) we need to honor others (individuals or groups) for their successes or victories. And very likely, at times, we need to do both!

When it comes to honoring others, we can pat people on the back and say "well done" in passing along a personal word of recognition. But, in addition, we can be instigators to bring about proper attention and praise on the well-deserved leisure accomplishments of individuals and/or groups. The bottom line: leisure achievements need to be recognized.