Working in the Rain with Pain

Reflecting back to my days as a correctional officer  I realized just how much I had learned to play with pain that was both physical and emotional. I was struggling with hurt that was inside of me and that surrounded me as I watched the final decades of my career come to an end. It was fascinating how I survived this journey and most importantly, a lesson learned to be shared with all those in the present and future. Having some of the best mentors in the business, I survived this game because I learned how to deal with pain and work with pain.

There are a few tips I would like to share that might help others endure and overcome some of the struggles that are common and sometimes difficult to overcome. Perhaps the key elements of surviving this game of life aren’t that simple to overcome but the challenge is to learn how to adapt and overcome such adversities in your personal life and your career. One must be prepared to battle with their own emotions and self-control in order to stay on track and focused on the ultimate goals set in your life. Perseverance and willpower will have to be a main ingredient as well as stamina and energy to endure the tests in the long run. Common sense and the willingness to learn as you adapt and overcome obstacles are the secondary key of this game so that you can do what you need to do under pressure while managing the elements around you.

Working in corrections is much like playing a baseball game in bad weather. Even when the sun comes out, it may only lasts awhile giving you a false security or sensation that things are getting better. Regardless of where you live, bad weather makes for tough conditions at work or play regardless who you are. Bad weather has associated risks such as thunder and lightening that directly impact and distracts you.  You might experience high-wind storms and blowing debris that can upset your routine and ability to get your job done. Footing is often slippery and can cause you to stumble when it is most important for you to stay steady and take care of business. These hazards are a part of life and must be dealt with in a logical and fashionable manner to overcome the tough conditions of the job facing you daily.

Complicating life at another level is the mental pain you experience as you travel this journey. Recognition and praise will not come easily and must be awarded from within as you know you are doing the best you can under the conditions of this job. Silence will become a norm and that’s not easy for many of us that wore the badge of honor for so many years. Stress will try to wear you down and unless you recognize these symptoms it can win and defeat you. Be aware of PTSD and its destructive forces for it will creep up on you without a warning.

The first piece of advice is to be prepared. Dress right and don’t weight yourself down with anything that isn’t essential to your job. Fatigue is a common enemy. Carry with you your issued equipment that includes your radio, battery, flashlight, cuff, mace and your PPE and try not to think too much about the rain around you. Make sure they are all in good working order and if not, replace them immediately.  Focus on details and don’t worry about the wind, thunder, lightening or the rain for they are only distractions for you while doing the job.

Enduring a storm emotionally and physically requires you to be strong hearted and properly prepared. This means to take care of your body and eat well and ensure nutrition is well balanced and beneficial to you. Taking one step at a time will assure you progress in health, career and opportunities.

The second stride for working in the rain is to sustaining the pain is the part where you remain emotionally under control. One of the easiest things to do is to give into your personal feelings or emotions but that will only cause you more pain. Staying focused on the job and the attached tasks, duties and responsibilities is the key to getting the job done right without mistakes. Keeping a clear mind is essentially you best ally during times of duress and anxiety.

Don’t give the inmates any easy opportunities to distract you and cause you to make slip-ups. Sometimes when working with pain, we try to work harder to offset the frustration or emotion that tends to bring us down some while on or off the job. Don’t let your emotions take control of your mind and body. Adjust for the real situational conditions and make accurate assessments along the way. Although very difficult to do, you must leave your personal life behind for the time remaining and focus on the job and its challenges to keep you alive and safe. Avoid overloading the mindset so it can focus on your job.

The third and final step for working with pain is to adapt to the weather and the pain. When it rains, life changes right there in front of you and if you let it take its course, it will changes everything important to you, making it tougher for you to do your job or carry on. Take your medication and rest your body well. The better rested you are, the better you will think and do your job. Remember that common sense must prevail and keep you out of harm’s way as your immune system takes care of you inside and you adapt to the tough conditions on the outside.

When conditions get tough don’t give up. Never quit. Don’t make mistakes because you are being influenced by the weather around you. Adjust your attitude, your behaviors and your mindset to concentrate on the hazards around you. Go slower as it helps you deal with the challenges or obstacles thrown your way and remember that when you adjust your game and mindset, you remain in control of your actions, your decision making and your stability to face the adversities with positivity and high-quality results.

Don’t let haste bring you waste. Ask for help along the way as you will find resources able to give you stability and maximize your endurance levels. Although multi-tasking is a way of life, you can still pay attention to detail and do the best job you can by doing it right the first time. Listening and asking questions are two basics of good communications and must be used in order to ensure accuracy and completeness. Learning  how to live in this potentially volatile and hostile world with pain is the pre-requisite to a long successful career in a most difficult job to perform. Be Safe!