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MESSAGE #737 I WAS DOWN AT THE POLICE STATION…

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”
-PETER MARSHALL

I spent some time at the police station yesterday.The great Sergeant Longo of the Lawrence Township Police Department is a friend of mine and he was kind enough to give me a private tour of the facility.

Sergeant Longo showed me how 911 and other emergency calls come through and are dealt with in the control center. I was also interested to see the cells, garage where they drive arrested persons in, the police weight room, storage area for riot and training gear. I also saw the explosives box that the K-9 unit uses to train their police dog. Every hallway and room was locked before and after entering. There were also special areas in which he could not carry his gun. I was amazed at how big the facility was, and how it was such a major operation.

In my book, I talk about Sergeant Longo (then a detective) and how being a police officer is just like being an athlete. It’s all about performing under pressure. Being cool under pressure. I asked Sergeant Longo if they had any specific breathing or relaxation techniques that they use when under pressure. They didn’t, so guess what? I’m going to create a program for them that includes the same keys in sports – focus, relaxation/stress reduction, and motivation/activation.

Walking around the police station, I couldn’t help but be amazed at how organized it all was. It looked like everything was under control. I felt safe. After all, if things don’t go well, who are they going to call?

I still recall when Sergeant Longo took me to the shooting range. I enjoyed it because it was a metaphor for shooting at a target or reaching a goal. Read the blog entry and watch the video of me shooting here: http://edtseng.blogspot.com/search?q=message+%23417

Well, thank you to Sergeant Longo and thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #546 WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL…

Today’s message is especially dedicated to Sergeant Longo of the Lawrence Township Police Department.

Can you control what happens to you?
Can you control what your opponent does?
Can you control what the weather is like?
Can you control what your co-workers do?

NO…so why worry about it?

Focus on what you CAN control, like your attitude and effort.

“It’s not what’s happening TO you, it’s all about what’s happening INSIDE you. If you want to be as good as the Williams sisters, all you have to do is train like they train. Greatness is already inside you.”
-BOB RYLAND, the first black professional tennis player

Happy Chinese New Year!


Thanks for reading.