Month 1

I’ve got to get more creative in the way I title my blogs. How boring is “Month 1”? As soon as I wrote it down I was going to change it but I thought I would have more fun with a rant about the boring title so I left it that way. Probably the better title would be, “What Did I
Get Myself Into?!”

I remember years ago when I interviewed for a Chief’s job and they asked me what I would do first. I said that I would sit on my hands for a few months before I did anything. I promised myself that I would do that now too. I broke my promise. Maybe I should have known that I couldn’t sit still that long and those of you reading probably knew that better than I did.

I’ve already made a few tweaks but there’s about a hundred little things that I’ve got in que to change. I want to change things that I don’t even know how to change. The hardest thing might be setting some of those things aside until I’ve gotten through some priority items first. Of course I’ll be agonizing over prioritizing.

Spent some time on “the project” every day this week but my tolerance for time spent on the project is waning. I’m more than half way through the first part but it’s only one part and one of the smaller parts. When I need a break I just move over to the last file drawers in my office and go through looking for things to throw out.

I was in my file cabinet clean out mode and one day found some files from ‘82 but the file that blew me away was finding a stand up folder with a manilla folder with a single piece of paper that was a copy of a magazine ad. Doesn’t take too long for that to weary one’s mind and then I go try and find something else to do, like get a cup of coffee and check the mail.

Tuesday was the department meeting. I spent a lot of time trying to get ready but I still thought I could have done better with my presentation, kinda like my interview for this job. :-) I think it went well but I’m sure some walked away with questions about what it’s going to be like working with me. I know that it’s all about developing relationships but I some of that is going to be hard because of schedules. I’ve just got to give it time. After the meeting there were three other “meetings” and i got home late.

If I didn’t have enough going I decided to take on a high school career intern. I love the energy that people have at the beginning of any endeavor, especially career wise, and I want to encourage them any chance I can. The problem is that I see I have work to do to make this a positive experience for the student and the officers. Prioritize Squiers!

Tuesday’s late night is catching up now and I’m tired Thursday. A day when i didn’t feel like I accomplished much. I did continue to work on the project and the clean up but I was running low on gas. I’m going to have to hire some more part time officers but I just don’t know how or when. More work.

For the record though, I’m staying. A little hard work never hurt me although a lot of hard work will probably leave me face down on my bed bawling like a baby. Just kidding. I’m still excited to prove to myself that I can make it work. More later.