Posted on Apr 22, 2015
"I can fall off the truck" - At the point where it's hard not to pass
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So, as I approach the point of finishing a class I'm taking, maintaining a VERY high grade, I remembered a phrase my snipers used to say "I could fall off the truck at this point" which basically meant that they had hit the point where it was mathematically impossible for them to fail.
This wasn't to say they dropped their pack, just that all the stress was gone. They didn't have to focus on failure anyone. They were free to do their best.
So during your career, military or otherwise, have you hit that point? Where you have just had all the stress just bleed off because the fear of failure is gone? Either because you've already guaranteed a pass or failed so miserably that it doesn't matter anymore. (there's something freeing in failure).
This wasn't to say they dropped their pack, just that all the stress was gone. They didn't have to focus on failure anyone. They were free to do their best.
So during your career, military or otherwise, have you hit that point? Where you have just had all the stress just bleed off because the fear of failure is gone? Either because you've already guaranteed a pass or failed so miserably that it doesn't matter anymore. (there's something freeing in failure).
Failure
Success
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
I think it is foreign for most military personnel to not give 100% at all times, That is certainly the expectation.
One of my pet peeves over the years have been those who met the minimum repetitions during an AFPT and simply "coasted" through the remainder until time was up. Really upsetting when it was an NCO or officer and I have had some choice words for ones I observed doing that.
Whether it is in the classroom, on the PT field, on a training exercise, in the motor pool, or anything else, people should always strive to do their best at all times. Anything less is simply unacceptable.
I think it is foreign for most military personnel to not give 100% at all times, That is certainly the expectation.
One of my pet peeves over the years have been those who met the minimum repetitions during an AFPT and simply "coasted" through the remainder until time was up. Really upsetting when it was an NCO or officer and I have had some choice words for ones I observed doing that.
Whether it is in the classroom, on the PT field, on a training exercise, in the motor pool, or anything else, people should always strive to do their best at all times. Anything less is simply unacceptable.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sir,
I'm not referring to not giving 100%. Just that sense of relief when you know that it's no longer for a "grade." The "I've got this" moment, where the stress of it is gone.
I'm not referring to not giving 100%. Just that sense of relief when you know that it's no longer for a "grade." The "I've got this" moment, where the stress of it is gone.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
I agree that the stress may be gone, but the effort should continue. I believe that is particularly true if you are a leader and others can observe your efforts or lack thereof.
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SSgt (Join to see)
In that case, I love that moment. That's when the fun part of competition kicks in: let's just see how good I can do!
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
COL Jean (John) F. B. I think that the effort actually becomes easier because the stress is gone in many ways. You're no longer carrying your own rock. It makes the "effect" so much greater. "He makes it look so easy"
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In my civillian position the pressure for results never eases. Every week/month/year we look at results and how you perform against them. I've been with my company almost 28 years now and there is no let up. What you have to do is build mechanisms/processes in your life to deal with it and not let it bother you. It used to always bother me. I would fret/worry and stress about what I had to produce in regard to sales/gross profit/net profit/ROI/ROS etc.
Then there is the people side. Who stays, who goes, hiring, firing, right sizing, reorganizing, cut backs, ramp ups etc etc etc. People's jobs depend on your performance in your role. I worry more about letting poeple down and them possibly losing their job because we lose a client. It happens and it is no fun.
I don't fear failure in my job/career for me. I am more concerned about how my failure might impact others. The only point I see the stress bleeding off is the day I hang up the spurs and retire or walk away.
Then there is the people side. Who stays, who goes, hiring, firing, right sizing, reorganizing, cut backs, ramp ups etc etc etc. People's jobs depend on your performance in your role. I worry more about letting poeple down and them possibly losing their job because we lose a client. It happens and it is no fun.
I don't fear failure in my job/career for me. I am more concerned about how my failure might impact others. The only point I see the stress bleeding off is the day I hang up the spurs and retire or walk away.
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It was Kuwait with my platoon. I was able to direct 4 tanks instinctively, of course I had great Tank Commanders would take advantage of the situation when maneuvering. Then I went to Finance, DFAS, NG TSC, and Corps Budget. There is a built in uncomfortableness trying to learn new jobs quickly.
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