It's Time To Celebrate Those Who Try

Written by Julie Bigford

As Corporate Customer Service Manager for Alloway Labs, I appreciate when someone gives effort. Whether it’s a smile from a stranger, a barista taking the time to perfect your coffee order, or a business going the extra mile, we should pause to appreciate the people and companies that strive for greatness.

Too often, we encounter its absence—bad customer service, quick fixes instead of thoughtful solutions, or the expectations that results should come without work.

In a world where mediocrity and entitlement seem to be the new normal, genuine care and effort are rare gems that deserve our attention.

Just this past Saturday, on the doorstep of a polar vortex that promised subzero temperatures, we woke up to a furnace that had thrown in the towel. Well... shit. Desperate to find a solution, my husband sent a text to our family group chat looking for recommendations.

There were several suggestions and of all the calls that were made, only one company answered the phone. Not only did they pick up, but they assured us someone would be at our house in short order.  The technician arrived as promised and had the expertise to diagnose the problem.  Much to our delight, he was able to fix the furnace. In one fell swoop, he was able to restore heat to our home and trust that great customer service is still alive!

That’s effort. That’s commitment. And it made all the difference.

Effort matters because it shows care, shows intention, and most of all respect for not just others but for yourself. When a company makes an effort to provide great service, it sends a clear message: “What we do matters, and you matter to us.” And when individuals push through challenges or rise to the occasion, they show us what true grit looks like.

Recently, the ROTY Running Club volunteered to work at a race. Our job was to man the aid stations along the course. In doing so I met a woman who was literally in last place. She stopped for a moment, catching her breath, and shared that she’d had knee surgery just two weeks earlier. Two weeks! But there she was, determined to finish the race, moving forward one step at a time. It wasn’t about her pace or her position—it was about her grit, her resolve, and her refusal to give up.

As we go to races, I see this spirit of effort mirrored in the people who take on challenges, even when they don’t see themselves as “real runners.” It’s the person who laces up for a 5K on a miserable icy January day despite self-doubt, the ones that push through to finish the race even in unbearable conditions, or the one who virtually drags themselves to the finish line as they work through an injury. They may not be setting records, but they’re showing up and putting in the work and that’s worth celebrating.

So, let’s take a moment to appreciate the people and businesses in our lives that try. Let’s recognize effort in all its forms, from the grand gestures to the everyday acts of care. Because in a world where “good enough” often prevails, trying is extraordinary.

To B&B Mechanical: thank you for trying. You didn’t just fix a furnace—you reminded us what it means to truly care. Keep up the great work!

And to everyone reading this: who in your life is trying right now? Who’s putting in the work, showing up, and making an effort? Let them know it matters. Because it absolutely does.