I can think of so my topics to write about using this title but in honor of George Carlin I’m going to write about “stuff”. Check out George’s thoughts on “Stuff”.
These thoughts struck me as we are thinking about moving into a new home and have way too much stuff, which is what I worked hard for as a cop for over twenty years. Now I’m wondering if I really ever needed all this stuff (and what I could have done with the money had I not bought all of this “stuff”).
First some background. I believe that being a police officer is one of the most noble professions on earth. Secondly, I believe that we as law enforcement professionals have a duty to give the very best we have to offer in service to our communities and finally I believe that we need to take care of ourselves as best we can in order to provide that service and we need to know when “enough is enough” in our careers. That might mean that we should quit when we are no longer able to serve or when we feel that the career is doing irreparable harm to us. That’s the tough part. Knowing when it’s time to go. So instead of dwelling on the negative why don’t we create a plan for our careers and our lives and decide in advance, as best possible, when that time is going to be.
That decision may be a financial one or it may have to do with your health or your family priorities or other opportunities but I believe it’s best to have a plan and then even a back-up plan.
We would all do this if we were making a tactical plan to assault a bank robbery scene or a barricaded gunman, so why can’t we think like that when it comes to our lives?
Anyway, my thoughts included some discussion about what do I really want in my life and what do I really need? I’ve been retired for about six years now and my life has never been better, but I’m still trying to improve my lifestyle and one idea that keeps coming to me is that my priority is to travel the world and learn new things and meet new people. I doesn’t however include a huge home, a nice new car and all of the things that I thought I was working for when I was still working.
I just finished reading “The 4-Hour Work Week” by Timothy Ferriss and have started to read it again (actually I’m listening to it as an audio book from Audible.com on my iPod. Ferriss talks about the concept of lifestyle Design and to quote one of his thoughts: “‘If only I had more money’ is the easiest way to postpone the intense self-examination and decision making necessary to create a life of enjoyment – now and not later”. Wow, what a concept. Could we, as hard working cops really even consider a life of enjoyment, now. I won’t spoil the book for you but his concepts of “Mini-Retirements” taken throughout your life instead of one big retirement/vacation at the end of your life makes more sense to me, and I think fits the needs of more cops than most other people. Check out more of Ferriss’ ideas on his blog. CLICK HERE
For some other thoughts about planning to simplify your life visit GetMoreDone.com or ZenHabits.net with a warning that this one may be too touchy feely for some of you. You might also visit MarcAndAngel.com.
Finally, WebMD.com has lot’s of ads but is worth checking out. Watch the video past the ad and the video is about simplifying your life. They also have lot’s of great information about health issues and other quality of life issues.
Let me close by wishing you a “Nice Day” while you imagine George Carlin as a Cop!!
Links:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/
http://www.getmoredone.com/tips7.html
http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/
http://www.webmd.com/video/simplify-your-life
