Earlier today I was watching Blue Bloods as I was feeding my son Liam. I just started the show, so I’m on the first season.
One of the most interesting scenes is where Tom Selleck’s Character mentions that there is no opportunity without risk.
That’s really a lot like how we all act in the fire service. Think about a house fire. We take a risk for the opportunity to save a life and property.
How about when we try to improve things?
Theres an opportunity for a better way but theres risk.
Risk of putting ourselves out there. Risk of being disliked.
Risk of failing.
Don’t let risk deter an opportunity for something great though.
Maybe I’m geeking out on this a bit…
But when you’re as immersed as I am into the job you just start seeing these little lessons everywhere… even in popular shows.
I write a lot more about taking risks for a great opportunity in Fix Your Firehouse. Check it out here
John Lovato, Jr.
Author, Fix Your Firehouse
Creator, Company Officer Logbook
Founder, Brotherhood Coaching
I give you the Week In Review:
Monday
“Show Me The Results”
This is your new “go to” response” when dealing with resistance, naysayers, and the status quo.
Repeat after me:
“Show me the results”
You see this phrase is all about facts, not opinion.
You are making your opponent step onto the playing field and perform.
There’s no hiding.
Produce the result or shut the fuck up.
Those of us who are trying to make things better know that we must produce results to get buy in.
However the status quo thinks their opinion is enough.
No more.
Push them onto the playing field and out of the cheap seats with the following phrase:
“Show me the results”
Tuesday
“We’re under attack”
Is this how you feel when you put yourself out there?
Is this why you dont put yourself out there?
I’ve been witness to this soo many times and i’m sure you have also.
Someone, maybe even you, is trying to make things better and the whole time they are working hard….
Someone else is bashing everything they do.
What if i told you that once you understand why….
You’ll never worry about what others say about you.
Think of it like an urban city.
If you are trying to make yourself or your surroundings better, its like building a tall building.
Soon you’ll be taller than all the other buildings.
So the only way to be equal to you is to big a bigger building…
OR
The easier way.
Tear all the other buildings down.
This is exactly what happens.
The HATERS
Wont put the work in to make things better
So they take the easy way, and tear others down.
Remember this next time you’re victim to being torn down
OR
The next time you find yourself tearing another person down.
Wednesday
“Speed of Implementation”
Watch Video Here
Thursday
Remember when life seemed simpler
When what we focused on was which bar are we going to tonight
Then we get older and what more
We want to promote
We want a family
Things get more complicated
I know i’ve struggled as things get more complicated
I cant go to the gym whenever i want
I cant just take off without packing everyone up
or maybe its finding a sitter for the dogs…..yes dogs….3 big ones…anyone want them??
The point is, the more you want, the more complicated things may get
so you have to adapt
I started waking up super early just to get to the gym before my wife went to work
That evolved into me building a gym in my garage….I was waking up too damn early
Having a family is hard
But what in your life worth having hasnt been hard?
As much as we dont like change, we really have to change if we want to continue to grow
This morning there was a million things i wanted to do….rocking my fussing son wasnt one of them…
that wasnt his fault though
it was mine
for focusing on other things instead of him
I learned a lesson this morning
At times, what we focus on is what is frustrating us
if i was focusing on my son this morning, i wouldnt have been so frustrated
Watch what you focus on.
It might be the cause of all your headaches
Friday
WINNING
Its easy to focus on where we fail
Lets focus on our wins
What is something that you can celebrate a win in?
Maybe its changing a hoseload to make a quicker deployment….
Developed a program that betters morale
How about finally getting the Chiefs to buy into something you have been working very hard on
Whatever the win is