If you've read any or all of my blog, it should come as no surprise that I surround myself with the best people I can find for a particular situation. I do this on purpose. I get pretty animated about things I'm passionate about. Be it firefighting, drag racing, or something as simple and mundane as making coffee. I want the BEST coffee maker ever showing me the ropes! I demand the best of the best.
I will settle for nothing less.
It is a true gift from above when someone asks you to mentor them, teach them, and guide them through what you've already done. If you find yourself in this situation, It's a blessing. Seriously? What does this Mutt want??? Does He deserve my time??? YES SIR! HE DOES! You SIR have an opportunity for change.
I have done this! For this I am fortunate X 10.
Watching others succeed in their own endeavors is glorious! Its even better when those you mentor take your knowledge and run with it. Look at what THEY just did! I helped turn this rookie into someone that not only can now teach me something, but they are out there saving strangers, and teaching others. A caring, compassionate, intelligent human being that I had a small part in creating. An always learning, willing to share, teaching MONSTER!
I now find myself on the other side of that coin. In my transition from the end of my teaching career in the fire service, to the beginning of my learning career in the EMS world, I'm still surrounded by the best minds possible. I did that on purpose too.
Learning to FLY!
I'm 46 years old, and I want to be a Paramedic when I grow up. I've purposefully surrounded myself with the best Mentors. Instructors. Preceptors. Co-Workers.
The wisdom and knowledge I walk into when looking for the time clock is phenomenal! Ya just have to know where to "listen".
I study around the clock. I study notes. I study books. I study videos. But the most important thing I've found is that I study the people I purposely put around myself. I learn from them, even though they may not realize they are teaching at that moment. I do my best. Then I do my best plus. I also study WHOM to put around myself. I retreat from negative people. I attract positive people. I DO have a shit umbrella, just in case I'm forced to be around a negative person all day.
My current "Boss" in the EMS world (More of a Mentor. No, not more of. He's a Mentor and a Role Model.) told me on my hire interview as an EMT-B: "Billy, we all know you'll be a Paramedic soon. But here is what I want. I already have a Frank Medic, I already have a Bonnie Medic. I have a Jimmy Medic too. I don't need another of any of those, Take what you can from them. They are all good in they're very own way! We love them, we NEED them! But, I what I want, what I need to see is what Billy The Medic can do!"
I was told, by all of these new mentors that I now hold in high regard, that Paramedic school would somehow "click" at an unknown point in the future.
Becoming a Paramedic is an overwhelming amount of knowledge in a short 2 year period of time.
Thinking back about all those I've taught how to tie a figure eight on a bight, a seemingly unobtainable task. I taught them.
Paramedic school is simple. It's an insurmountable task, with a mind numbing amount of knowledge along with an incredible amount of responsibility.
I'm not better or smarter than anyone else, I've just surrounded myself with the best people.
I was told by these new found Mentors of mine that I would be handed "magical" powers. I've witnessed these powers in the hands of my mentors, first hand! Their hands can and do literally save lives.
My hands are not capable, yet they assure me that they are. And more. Their hands live on in mine through The wisdom. The Skills. The Knowledge. The Mentors accepting me, expecting me to attain their skills and perhaps someday make them proud. Accepting me.
These men and women are MASTERS of their craft!
They expect my best, after all they taught me.
I don't know what my best is yet, but I know those that have taught me.
"There are people waiting! What do YOU want to do Boss?"
I want to make you proud, but more importantly I want to give this patient, my ONLY patient right now, my full attention. The attention deserved from all of my mentors.
I'm just learning to fly.
