Positive energy black-holes - that's what I call them. You know the type that walk around like Charlie Brown on a bad day with a black storm cloud hanging over their heads or who walk into a room and suck out all the positive energy inside. Not content to be miserable themselves they insist on spreading their negativity to everyone around them. I don't know why these people who are so obviously discontented continue to stay on the job (wouldn't retirement or, for that matter, being a greeter at Wal-Mart be better than going to a job everyday that you hate?). In my experience most of these Sad Sacks have never done anything on the street anyway, they're professional b*tchers, moaners and complainers. We are not talking about having a bad day or suffering the effects of an actual wrong by a supervisor or the agency; these are hurdles that we must all face. We are talking about co-workers, regardless of rank, that are so bitter, angry and negative that they would, as my late uncle would say, "complain if they were hung with a new rope."
Success Attracts Poison Arrows
Throughout your career if you attempt to achieve or succeed these black-holes will render their opinion or attempt to snipe you in the back. With little to no achievement of their own they have to attack successful or motivated officers. "What are you trying to do score brownie points?" "This place doesn't care about you." "I was once like you but you'll find out when you get some experience." Go to training on your own dime (they'll say you're stupid and it's the department's job to train you). Hustle out on the street (they'll say they did that once and the department doesn't care). Exercise sound tactics on the street (they'll say you're being silly - nothing ever happens here). Train on your own and properly (they'll say they're too busy or they are hell on wheels when they get mad). Shoot on your own or work to develop your firearms skills (they'll say, "You don't need all that, just shove the gun out and shoot" or to defend their own lack of abilities, "I point shoot. That's all you need.") Ignore their comments unless you want to model their behavior and be the kind of cop they are.
Here's some sound advice: Be the kind of cop you want to be. Set goals in activities, arrests, training and overall career goals. Make a plan to achieve those goals and don't be dissuaded by the malcontents. They are only trying to reassure themselves that their poor attitude is justified.
Life is too short and the effects of negative energy are too devastating on your health to "wallow in the cesspool" of negativity that many officers succumb to.
Transmute the Negative Energy
My favorite motivational writer (martial artist and former Coventry, England nightclub bouncer) Geoff Thompson recommends that you "transmute" or transform the negative energy into positive. The energy aimed at you from the cesspool of this lack of human performance must be dealt with. The question is whether you will deal with it in a positive or negative way. You can let these ninnies bring you down to their level or use their aimed negative energy to motivate and enrich your life. How do you do this?
First of all understand that the malingerer's opinion is worth as much as they are - nothing. I don't depend on the words of others to build my self-esteem and I won't let the words of the worthless effect me. Take that energy and transmute it into positive energy such as exercise, renewed training, or a hug for your significant other, whatever. Don't accept it as negative energy, change the polarity and you'll be a lot healthier.
Working with Black-Holes
What do you do when you're assigned to work with an un-motivated naysayer who spends more time complaining about how the world, government, agency or bosses drops fecal bombs on him regularly than he does actually working? If at all possible avoid contact and stay away from them. If not, focus on yourself and your work. Have a positive outlook on life to spite them. Seek out those positive energy people like yourself and interact with them; model yourself after the positive cop you want to be. I associate myself with veteran street cops that are still kickin' butt and takin' down names and we count on each other to lend a kind word or offer words of encouragement in the face of negativity. I enjoy being in the presence of these modern warriors versus wasting time with wasted individuals.
We only get one shot at our time on this spinning planet. Don't be affected by the "dark-side"; rather, rise above it. Good positive energy means good focus on winning on the street, training to win, good health and well being for yourself and your family. Bad energy eats at you and destroys you, your career and hurts your family. All that is good in life, career and home is positive energy based, seek out and attach yourself to it and the outcomes will be positive as well.
