@Brovembers (on Instagram)
United States Army
Airborne 12N
Artist – Engineer Artwork Available on ETSY
A Positive Mindset in a Negative Environment
Written by @Brovembers (on Instagram)
“How, as leaders (this can apply to Joe too), do we keep a positive mindset in an negative environment?”
I realized I hated being around negative people when I was a PFC. We all bitch, it’s part of our DNA as a joe. But when it kept going well into AFTER work, that’s when it started to affect me. It wasn’t necessarily what happened AT WORK that was affecting me as I usually brain dumped the small/ annoying events from the day on the way to the gym, but I didn’t want to relive the days events again on my off time. But it was happening, a lot.
The more I started growing up in the Army, I tried my hardest to keep a positive mindset in everything I did. Cleaning the snow on the sidewalks in front of the company…at least I’m not getting yelled at by another SL. It’s Friday, SURPRISE! you have staff duty…at least my buddy and favorite NCO are on it with me. Things like that. Finding the small positives helped.
Now, I wasn’t in charge of anyone around this time, so this was easy for me. But, when I became a TL, that was when I had to really practice my positive mindset and instill that in my joes. Usually what that meant was not bitching or losing my shit in front them. I was now in the office having my WTF moments. Sometimes, it was harder to hold in than others, but I did my best.
A lot of the time, the things we have to do in garrison aren’t really that bad. They may be dumb, it probably could wait, and there’s probably no need for it. But it’s gotta be done because someone of higher rank said it had to be done and shit rolls down hill. Everyone in staff thinks the Army is going away tomorrow.
It does no one any good to bitch about things we can’t control. And LEADERS, instead of pawning it off on the senior specialist to go police call the barracks or company, go do it with them. Things can always be worse and if no one died…then it went well.
I’ve made it through the Army so far with just saying “it can always be worse” when I thought things were bad. You can ask anyone who’s ever worked with me and they’ll tell you SSG Pete never lost his shit and was always strangely calm, no matter the situation. It’s because I’m not going to waste time on being mad at something I can’t control.
To the younger leaders, take initiative and get your guys medpros updated, go clean the barracks, keep your counselings updated, police call the company without being told. That way when your leaders come to you last minute with things, it’s already done. And do it with your joes.
There’s nothing better than making YOUR environment positive and having that positively affect your team or squad. It’ll take a little time to see results, especially if you’re in a bad unit but you’ll see them.
When you get into that hard spot, just tell yourself “It can always be worse” just “Hunt the good stuff”. Use every situation as a learning experience.
Gotta clean out the connex? Oh look! You found stuff in there that you can train on!
Waiting around to be released? Oh! I can teach my joes something to kill time!
Gotta go police call? Oh! Let me hang out with my squad and see how they are doing personally!
A lot of people like to use the excuse “we don’t have time to train”. Bullshit, you just don’t make time to train. Training does have to be this elaborate plan. Find some rocks and sticks and go over battle drill 1a. Have every single one in your team explain it.
We all like to complain about how the COMPANY sucks, or BATTALION sucks. Or the work events are making us mad. Instead of thinking that far up, how about focus on your team or squad or platoon. Things you can control. I used to tell my squad.
“Focus on your buddies in your team, square them away. Then focus on the team as a whole. Then help the squad out. Once the squad is good. Help the other squad. Don’t worry about the other platoons until WE’RE taken care of.”
You do that, attitudes change because now everyone isn’t thinking about things they can’t control. Positive attitudes become a thing because they are seeing positive changes in their small environment.
Will what the company/battalion/brigade do affect you, absolutely. But it’s how you take care of what you can control that will make the difference.
And just remember….
….things can always be worse.
– @Brovembers (on Instagram)
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