Are you a "Type A" public safety professional?
Type A perfectionists have a lot going for them. They are go-getters: always on the move, taking care of business, and providing for those they care about. They are attentive on the job and take pride in the quality of their work. The world would likely be a better place if more had this kind of work ethic.
There can be a downside to all this productivity, though. A feeling of incompletion lingers over most tasks (“perfect” doesn’t come easy). Being good at “doing” makes it difficult to stop, even when there’s time for a break. Years of saying “yes” makes saying “no” a foreign and uncomfortable concept. Add to this a caregiver mindset, and it’s a perfect storm.
When your life is defined by how much you do for the world—the difference you make to those around you—it feels counter-intuitive to hit the PAUSE button. But what if a simple pause held more happiness and an increased ability to care for the world? Yes, by slowing down it’s possible to do more!
Several studies in the fields of happiness research, positive psychology and 9-1-1 point to the power of learning how to slow down, stop, then look around every once in a while.
Overthinking: A barrier to 911 dispatcher satisfaction
A fast-paced life with an overfilled plate begins in the mind. Anxiety about the future or a hypervigilant worldview often translates as an inability to sit still. Even while physically sitting still, we get caught up in unproductive thought-loops, ruminating about any number of daily challenges.