I didn't get what I wanted right away but I was able to obtain what I needed.
I started to finish my classes for Officer Development at the end of last summer, 2007. I was working toward Firefighter Specialist. I was also taking classes at UofR, full-time, so there was anxiety and stress that filled my life. So this is how I handled it:
INEFFECTIVE
*Drinking (not alot, but here and there, of course on my days off)
*Barking at the kids(which in some way made me feel like I had control, when I didn't)
*Staying in our little office at home(actually the kids playroom, but the computer is there)
BAND-AID
*Wanting to just give up
*Making excuses to not take the last class for ODP
*Basically saying to myself it doesn't matter if I get it or not
EFFECTIVE
Think
*Worked on confidence in myself by talking with other specialists
Do
*Developed better time management skills to complete classes, one by one
*Made sure that schoolwork, work, and other classes did not get in the way of the family
No matter how each person deals with his/her ineffective feelings, whether by having a drink or two, making excuses, the fact of the matter is the thing that each of us wants to try to gain will always be staring us in the face. Some of us will obtain our needs or goals and others may just give up. The one thing I have learned as a firefighter is: Never give up.
Now since I have what I wanted my life is back to normal, but then again what is normal?
Chapter 7
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Well, I am not going to lie I haven't even read the chapter but after
posting last week I decided to take personal time and act to empower myself
to have w...
16 years ago
2 comments:
Normal is the abnormal in our profession. It comes from a job where we may run every call imaginable and the next day while on duty, not turn a wheel and feel restless. I like what you said, "never give up" and this is also my motto. We are trained to go and go until our bodies give up. The mind never can. This is a valuable defense mechanism is used correctly. So long as a person does not get that "analysis paralysis" that we have heard described, there is till hope for knowing what you want and getting what you need.
Did your family notice a difference?
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