Reflection

3/5 is on deck. It is that time in the deployment when the call for lessons learned and after action reports have cast wide nets. It is one of those things where even if you don't have anything to say - you have to say something. Naturally, I am all for such endeavors. In order to complete something like this the skill that one has to draw from is reflection. Admittedly, this is something that I am not particularly very skilled at accomplishing. For one reason or another, I tend to keep my head down and keep plugging along. Most of my vivid recollections are centered on times when I just about lost my mind - and that isn't particularly helpful. It is one of things that I'll just have to keep working on. With that goal in mind, I'll attempt to cajole myself by thinking that I do have something to offer and that you, my readers (read Sean), may gleam from some of things I have been able to reflect on. Most of these, I've learned the hard way.

1. "Just do it." This marketing slogan by Nike is utterly brilliant. The question "why" is the most often asked, rarely answered, and usually the least important. The solution? Accept the fact that you know fewer things than you think you do and do your job the best you can. All you can control is the execution phase.

2. "It is harder to fire someone you like." Endear yourself to your boss and command. If you don't, you become expendable. The solution? Focus on reasons to say "yes" rather than finding reasons to say "no."

3. "What have you done for me lately?" This may be more of a corollary to my second point; however, I feel that it deserves some time in the spotlight. We live in a time where things that you have accomplished in the past may lead to credibility and further your own experience; however, the fact remains that everything is about the here and now. Deployments, awards, qualifications, ribbons, etc... largely serve as placeholders for personal memories. The solution? Go climb Mt. Everest, find a cure for cancer, take two weeks and then go back to work.