Worth a Look: 22 Habits of Unhappy People
I have seen several interesting articles lately covering some very welcomed topics; pieces about toxic and burned out employees, why police do not stay on the job very long, and most importantly, police suicides.
22 Habits of Unhappy People, posted on infobarrel.com, caught my attention. I am not real big on some of the lists posts on the internet, but this one might be handy.
Take a minute and flip through these. They are voiced as a self-help suggestion. Maybe it can help us when we are going through a rough spot. Just as helpful, maybe they can help us look out for one another. We all know there has been a seismic shift in our industry and tough times are ahead.
Might make a career enjoyable again, might make a career last longer, might help save a life.
© 2015 DAVID A. LYONS
From LinkedIn:
Morgan Dan
Detective Sergeant, Police at City of Urbana, Illinois
One of the last ones: Letting strangers influence your mood. As if I needed any more reasons to not read the comments on internet postings…
From LinkedIn:
Martin Palmer
Experienced Manager & Trainer: Looking for new opportunities
Top Contributor
I can relate to nearly all of these, that’s sad in itself. Certainly worth a read.
Robert Steede
P/CPL Investigator at Georgia Department of Public Safety
After some honest introspection, I could stand to prune a few of these habits from my life.
Marty Jones
Retired MSgt from USAF at Retired LT. from Sugarcreek TWP Police Greene CO. Ohio
ALL SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
christine birdsall
investigations assistant at Troy Police Department
Unhappy people…? I can name 5,002 in 10 seconds. Life is what you make it.
John Moakley
Investigator/TAC at TBTA
Christine, I didn’t know you spoke that fast! You should be an auctioneer
christine birdsall
investigations assistant at Troy Police Department
John, you’re a funny guy!! smile….
Mike Proctor
Criminal Consultant/expert in stalking
David, since I left law enforcement full-time in 2004 I have seen an interesting turn of events concerning the profession. I came from a mid-sized Orange County California department located in a changing demographic environment; from middle class white and Hispanic to an overwhelming population of Vietnamese. Even though this new group of immigrants presented with some very unusual problems and challenges, it was still fun to go to work every day. Within our ranks we had a great deal of comradely, and for the most part took part in doing our jobs as well as we could.
Since leaving, my partner and I who trained many within our ranks in both patrol and then detectives have confided the following to us: Unfortunately, each one of them be they a detective, Sgt. or above all know exactly almost to the minute their date of retirement. They bring this up almost immediately when you contact them. (My partner and I still assist on cold case homicides so we are in contact with our colleagues off and on.) We never really thought about retiring from the job, and were sorry to go. They on the other hand want to leave as soon as they can because of having to deal with many (not all) of the new-hires (millennials) if you will; who lack discipline, don’t understand seniority, feel entitled and can’t understand why they can’t promote within a year or two, complain about their supervisors, and in some cases bring on reviews and even lawsuits concerning their so called working conditions. Another problem is the lack of staffing due to budget constraints that force these officers to be inundated with incredible caseloads; as well as try and handle patrol responses with limited line personnel.
A glaring concern for these hardworking officers is the fact that almost every action they take concerning an employee or a response to a call on the street or a subsequent investigation is placed under an overreaching administrative microscope, almost to the point of harassment. In other words, your discretionary powers have become so limited it is no longer an enjoyable task to work as a cop. They complain of having to write up and justify almost every action they take in the field bad or good. In my opinion, this type of tightened administrative scrutiny has developed because of the rise of public pressure, and the punitive lawsuits that result.
Many tell me, I am happy to let the public put on the badge and go out and try to do what we do. I would like to see how many days they last in the field. Many then add it is sad, but I would rather go fishing.
David Lyons, MBA
Author of PoliceBusinessAdvisor.com
Mike I would have to say that everything you have said is likely universal now. I would add that the new generations often bring those who do not see this as a calling or benediction, and lack critical thinking skills and worse, ethical compasses.
Martin Palmer
Experienced Manager & Trainer: Looking for new opportunities
I can relate to most of these in different ways. Well worth a read.
Paul Thomas
retired at met.officer/trainer/mentor
a good read david,i understand most of the points made.
Shawn Bayles
Det. Sgt. Forensic Unit Supervisor at City of Charlottesville
Know some people that fit the profile or a large part of it and some days I’m there too, but in the list of books that were given to read i didn’t see the Bible. I know for a long time my happiness was something I spent a lot of time and money looking for, i had what i like to call a God Hole that i tried to fill with stuff or people most of the time the wrong people. I now am a generally happy person, no not every single day, there are days i struggle just like every one else, but for the most part i have found great happiness in my walk with Jesus. I feel he has given me a job i love, a great wife and kids. I’m just saying if you or people you know have tried everything else but are still dealing with unhappiness give Jesus a chance coat less than a boat or fast car and you will not have a head ache in the morning.
Shawn I feel bad that while I read the article and assembled the post, that I never took that into consideration. I agree with you emphatically; my Faith has made me a happier (and hopefully) person and I firmly believe it has guided me through the maddening part of my career for the last 22 years. Thank you for bringing that perspective.
ishmael nortey
coporal at ghana police
What ever One does to the society, some will appreciate whilst others would be against.
To me I suggest as a public officer, anything you are to do, access and analyze. If you see it to be beneficial to the society, go ahead to do.
This shows the impact of responsibility.
Any question to that be prepared to answer by coming out with your analysis to prove to the public your right to do that.
Craig McClure
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE and President of BLACK BEAR BUREAU
Nice piece; I would have read it earlier but I was busy having a bottle of wine while complaining about my life and sitting in seclusion mulling over every grudge and then feeling guilty because I should really be worrying over how America is going to hell in a hand basket because of all the morons. Some day, not today as I’m still in bed, I’m going to write a book exposing it all! Sighhhhhhhhh, but I’m sure it wouldn’t sell as I am such a misanthrope.
Kidding…….it’s a good little item to be mindful of and we should all take a self reflective look at our lives and smile more.
Pete Steele ‘TRaM Consultancy’
TRaM Consultancy. Risk analysis, assessment and threat mitigation within the oil, gas and aviation sectors.
A wonderful insight to humanity. An easy read with something for everyone. I’m sure most will recognize a handful of those at least! The good thing is…………… I’m clearly a very happy and contented individual. 🙂
Patrick J. McShane
Management Consultant and COO at WCDI Consulting LLC
Excellent article.
David Lyons, MBA
Author of PoliceBusinessAdvisor.com
I think the author made several valid points; well worth sharing.
Clayton Stelter
Deputy Sheriff, LASD
Thank you. Great article.
Doug “Red” Parker
Very good. If we don’t watch over each other, who will?
Barbara Childress
Your comments are right on. In fact, just this morning I sent an email to our state training committee asking that they consider several factors in the incident that you mention, one of which was the difficult situations the officer had to deal with just prior to the call he made at the pool. Wish someone had taken better care of him. The 22 habits article is spot on. Thanks for sharing it.
James Barth
I’ve always liked Tony Robbins and his seminars. This is another good one. Thanks David for sharing it
Thanks for your submission. I also think laptop computers are getting to be more and more popular lately, and now are sometimes the only type of computer included in a household. This is due to the fact that at the same time they are becoming more and more reasonably priced, their computing power keeps growing to the point where they’re as potent as pc’s through just a few in years past.