I enjoy setting goals for myself like most of us. Over the years, many of my goals have changed. I have met some of them and changed others as my life changes. I don’t have a laundry list of things to do in my life…no bucket list yet. However, I do have things I plan on accomplishing. Some remain in my thoughts as I move closer to achieving a goal and others are remembered from time to time and adjusted with the times.
For instance, at one point I really wanted to become a fire service training instructor. I obtained my certificate in Instructor I and II (I have not completed III yet). However, once I obtained the certifications and I taught a few classes I realized that teaching in the formal atmosphere was not all that enjoyable for me. I do like helping out during live exercises, I just don’t find classroom teaching to be my cup of tea.
This year will mark my first in about 5 that I don’t help out with our recruit schools live burns. The main reason is because of special classes that were put in place for instructors. We were to take these classes on our own time without reimbursement. I simply don’t have free time to burn like that. I would much rather spend time at home with my family. In addition, our department isn’t giving free handouts of any sort so why should I. It just goes against my convictions.
Therefore, training in a formal atmosphere is out for now. I am ok with that. I did what I set out to do in getting the certificates and now I can teach at any point I would like to in the future.
There is one accomplishment that still resides in my heart though. It started out as wanting to have a published photo in Firehouse magazine possibly. The problem is that I am not a huge fire buff. I am an amateur photographer, but I just don’t get to many fires off duty. The stars would have to align perfectly for me to get a shot worthy of publishing.
More recently, this realization of being published in a trade magazine has morphed into wanting to have a published article in Fire Engineering magazine. After all, it is one of the few trade magazines I subscribe to. It is the cream of the crop if you ask me.
To see my name attached to a print worthy article would be a huge accomplishment for me. Not in a “look at me I am the man” kinda way, merely a personal accomplishment.
This morning, I finally got to open up my January Fire Engineering and to my enjoyment I saw an article by Jason Hoevelmann. Jason is a brand new acquaintance of mine. He just recently began a blog titled “A Firefighters Own Worst Enemy“. He wrote an article on a training evolution that a company did in his department. The article was excellent.
I have written articles for several websites. I enjoy doing it when I can. When I saw Jason’s article it got me thinking about writing for Fire Engineering.
Here is the thing…I am one of those guys who is a jack of all trades and master of none (in the fire service that is). One thing I do know a good bit about is driving and operating apparatus. Maybe I will have to delve into that.
Whatever it is that I decide to take a whack at getting published, I plan to do it in the next year. So look out World here I come.
It is a good idea to set goals, occasionally adjust your goals, and accomplish them when you can.
What are some of your goals?
Rhett I think its great to set goals and kind of adjust them as time goes by. When I first got into the fire service I thought I wanted to be a fire marshal. After Majoring in it in College I found that it was not the thing for me. When I got Hired on in Henrico I had a couple fo goals Get to a truck company, Get promoted to Lt, and hopefully retire as a Captain or higher. I acomplished the truck company goal and after 2 years of that I realized I actually like riding the engine better. While I enjoy truck work and the occasional detail to the truck company, In Henrico its the Engines that make all the decisons and its the engines that are making the runs. I am slated to take the Lt's test within the next few months and I think thats one fo the biggest goals to have changed. I still want to get promoted but I dont know if Henrico is where I want to retire from, I feel like there is a perfect fit for everyone and while Henrico is ok I dont quite fit in with the mission and the opinions of the leadership…so promotion has no become a means to spring board into a leadership position with another FD. My goal now is to get promoted and then to use that to move on to another dept in some sort of operations leadership role.
I also want to graduate from the Exectutive Fire Officer Program, and have an article published in a trade magazine. My wife has had 4 articles and has just sent in a sample chapter for a book possibly to be published by penwell….so I got some catching up to do with her in that dept.
I think its healthy to have goals but they have to change as we change.
Keep plugging along. It is important to right down your goals and look at them everyday. When you do set your goals, make them challenging, but achievable and make sure to set your time table realistically.
You've got it takes to do what ever you set your mind to. Just look at your blog, it's great.
Thanks for the plug and your complimentary comments about my article, it is much appreciated.
Take care and keep on keepin' on,
Jason
Keep plugging along. It is important to right down your goals and look at them everyday. When you do set your goals, make them challenging, but achievable and make sure to set your time table realistically.
You've got it takes to do what ever you set your mind to. Just look at your blog, it's great.
Thanks for the plug and your complimentary comments about my article, it is much appreciated.
Take care and keep on keepin' on,
Jason
One of my goals is to read this more often! It is most rewarding and makes me so proud! Great work!
Foat
One of my goals is to read this more often! It is most rewarding and makes me so proud! Great work!
Foat
One of my goals is to read this more often! It is most rewarding and makes me so proud! Great work!
Foat