You might remember in my last post, I decided I would send 5 gratitude letters to people who do thankless yet really important jobs. This is something I’ve thought about doing in the past but never actually sat down and took the time to do it. This time is different. Thanks to Leo from Zen Habits, I’ve made a commitment and I feel really good about following through on my promise.
I’ve made a short list so far and would love to hear your thoughts if any as I’m sure I’m forgetting some very important people.
10 Thankless jobs in no particular order
- Air traffic controllers
- Garbage man and janitors
- 911 operators/police officers and rescue workers
- Wardens or prison guards
- Farmers
- Crosswalk guard
- Prime Minister or civil servants
- Mothers and Fathers
- Seamstress in a clothing factory
- Aid workers and environmentalists
I know sys admins should be on this list as well… 
I’m going to put more thought and research into this and would love to hear your suggestions. I look forward to your comments!
Yan
How about truck drivers? These guys spend their life on the road…
Hi! Great topic! I think teachers have the most thankless job!
Michelle
[...] December 1st, I created a list of thankless jobs and then started to wonder how I would reach these strangers in order to send them my [...]
I enjoy reading about bright ideas and life changing actions.
I remember visiting my mother-in-law in the hospital during her last years and thinking how much courage, patience and love you need
to work around helpless people those who need help with the simpliest needs to survive and get through the day. Lets unite our thoughts in gratitude for these workers who are forgotten and maybe one of them will feel joy in her or his heart for the day.
Hi Feathermom,
You are absolutely right, health care workers are often forgotten and yet they care for the sick and the elderly in our society. They also deserve our heartfelt gratitude.
Stage managers. They get absolutely no attention whatsoever in the face of actors, directors/writers, etc… yet they put in the most amount of work. The air traffic controller of theatre/film/tv if you will.
But yes, I agree with the rest. Such a shame we reward the wrong people in society in the wrong ways.