I commented on the picture below which was posted in the facebook group, Raising Standards in Close Protection, named after the same book by the author Richard Aitch. Before I go any further let me just say that if you have not bought this book and you work in the Close Protection industry then you really should. I highly recommend it.
So that is what a calling looks like!
So are you obsessed? I hope so because I am, I have a calling. Actually I am lucky as I have two. The first Self Protection, I have been involved in since 1978 and the second, you guessed it, Close Protection, I have been involved in since 1992. In between was a stint in the military which at the time I thought was my calling until I realised it was in the field of CP.
Although this blog post is in relation to the Close Protection industry it does also relate to any other form of employment you have chosen to be in. Musician, artist, carpenter, builder, architect and so on.
Pick your most boring subject, something you are not interested in, engineering, gardening, painting, whatever it is you just do not like and I can guarantee one thing. If it is someones passion, their calling and they are talking about it, you will listen, why? Because they make it interesting, they love everything about it, let me reiterate IT IS THEIR CALLING! Look at these people, watch them on TV and tell me they do not make what they are talking about interesting, Alan Titchmarsh (Gardener), Mark Williams (Actor) talking about engineering, Kevin McCloud (Designer) on Grand Designs or Jamie Oliver (Chef).
Could you do the same, could you talk to a bunch of people about Close Protection and have them enthralled?
So where does this fit in with the title. OK let me ask you this, as soon as your shift or rotation is finished do you switch off as soon as you are out of the door until you start work again? If you do then you are not following your calling. For the average person that is exactly what happens, hey 5PM down tools lets get to the pub, glad the day is over not another thought about the work they have done or will do tomorrow. How many times do you think the top fashion designers have been inspired when they have not been at work? building shapes, colours, tree shapes, distorted reflections, anything can inspire creativity not only when you are working but more importantly working when not at work.
I recently watched Olympus Has Fallen, Gerard Butler in the Kitchen with his wife who is trying to have a coversation with him. He on the other hand is watching the news about the North and South Korean military developments. Nothing to do with him, he is not even on the Presidents detail anymore though still part of the Secret Service and the South Korean Prime Minister is visiting the White House that day. He is taking more interest of the news because of who he is and what he does. Although it gets him in the shit with his wife he is still working while not at work, sound familiar?
Let me ask you this very important question; If you are not working while not at work, how then do you run your personal security procedures? They don't run on their own you know!
PERSEC, OPSEC and INFOSEC are becoming punchlines all too often on social network groups and forums!
Do you have an ideas book? I do I keep it in my day-sack. Sitting on the train an idea will come to me or I will see something pertaining to CP or EP and I write it down before I forget it. Remember, working while not at work. What do you do, sit there and enjoy the ride? Multi-tasking is something we should all be able to do.
There is an article on Fred Leland's Law Enforcement and Security Consulting website entitled - The 10% of Mindset. It relates to the 10% of all Law Enforcement professionals who constantly strive to develop themselves and their professionalism both physically and mentally. It also talks about those who are 'Retired on Duty', both we can relate to in our profession. Which one are you?
Although this blog post is in relation to the Close Protection industry it does also relate to any other form of employment you have chosen to be in. Musician, artist, carpenter, builder, architect and so on.
Pick your most boring subject, something you are not interested in, engineering, gardening, painting, whatever it is you just do not like and I can guarantee one thing. If it is someones passion, their calling and they are talking about it, you will listen, why? Because they make it interesting, they love everything about it, let me reiterate IT IS THEIR CALLING! Look at these people, watch them on TV and tell me they do not make what they are talking about interesting, Alan Titchmarsh (Gardener), Mark Williams (Actor) talking about engineering, Kevin McCloud (Designer) on Grand Designs or Jamie Oliver (Chef).
Could you do the same, could you talk to a bunch of people about Close Protection and have them enthralled?
So where does this fit in with the title. OK let me ask you this, as soon as your shift or rotation is finished do you switch off as soon as you are out of the door until you start work again? If you do then you are not following your calling. For the average person that is exactly what happens, hey 5PM down tools lets get to the pub, glad the day is over not another thought about the work they have done or will do tomorrow. How many times do you think the top fashion designers have been inspired when they have not been at work? building shapes, colours, tree shapes, distorted reflections, anything can inspire creativity not only when you are working but more importantly working when not at work.
I recently watched Olympus Has Fallen, Gerard Butler in the Kitchen with his wife who is trying to have a coversation with him. He on the other hand is watching the news about the North and South Korean military developments. Nothing to do with him, he is not even on the Presidents detail anymore though still part of the Secret Service and the South Korean Prime Minister is visiting the White House that day. He is taking more interest of the news because of who he is and what he does. Although it gets him in the shit with his wife he is still working while not at work, sound familiar?
Let me ask you this very important question; If you are not working while not at work, how then do you run your personal security procedures? They don't run on their own you know!
PERSEC, OPSEC and INFOSEC are becoming punchlines all too often on social network groups and forums!
Do you have an ideas book? I do I keep it in my day-sack. Sitting on the train an idea will come to me or I will see something pertaining to CP or EP and I write it down before I forget it. Remember, working while not at work. What do you do, sit there and enjoy the ride? Multi-tasking is something we should all be able to do.
There is an article on Fred Leland's Law Enforcement and Security Consulting website entitled - The 10% of Mindset. It relates to the 10% of all Law Enforcement professionals who constantly strive to develop themselves and their professionalism both physically and mentally. It also talks about those who are 'Retired on Duty', both we can relate to in our profession. Which one are you?
If you are looking to come into the industry, the ceiling EPOs work at is far higher than you think, both physically and mentally. I am not degrading your current employment whatever that may be, just realise that if you make a mistake people may die, you, your colleagues or your principal.
For those already working in the industry and also for those looking to come into the industry here is a little reminder
The business we are in, protecting lives, is a serious business and not one to be taken lightly,
so for those that are still confused let me try and make it a little simpler for you.
If you are doing this to impress your mates or girls down the pub - Then find another job!
If you look at this profession as just a job - Then find another job!
If you want to mingle and be photographed with the stars - Then find another job!
If you cannot attain the ceiling required for our profession (and it is not the SIA ceiling) - Then find another Job!
If this is not your calling - Then find another job!
If you are not of the 10% mindset - Then find another Job!
If you are not at work and still not working- Then seriously find another job!
Are you following your calling?
Stay Dangerous
Rock
For those already working in the industry and also for those looking to come into the industry here is a little reminder
The business we are in, protecting lives, is a serious business and not one to be taken lightly,
so for those that are still confused let me try and make it a little simpler for you.
If you are doing this to impress your mates or girls down the pub - Then find another job!
If you look at this profession as just a job - Then find another job!
If you want to mingle and be photographed with the stars - Then find another job!
If you cannot attain the ceiling required for our profession (and it is not the SIA ceiling) - Then find another Job!
If this is not your calling - Then find another job!
If you are not of the 10% mindset - Then find another Job!
If you are not at work and still not working- Then seriously find another job!
Are you following your calling?
Stay Dangerous
Rock
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