Missed Opportunity

My mother just attended an active shooter discussion at a work conference. A little over 100 people were in attendance, and the presenter followed suit in what tends to be the “norm” these days. He stood in front, talked about his many accolades and achievements (I assume because he wanted people to take him seriously and not because he likes hearing how awesome he is… read as sarcasm). Showed a video of “Run, Hide, Fight” as sponsored by the federal government. Talked down on many other AS programs. Suggested a few books to read, showed a few more videos and for the most part left it at that.

How does someone do that? How do you get to a point where you have the opportunity to impress upon 100+ people to take the appropriate steps to protect themselves, and instead you run through a few videos, side step good questions, and assure people that they are now safer. And to boot, he even told them they are now qualified to teach their staff.

I mean, if hitting play on a few videos makes you a qualified instructor, then I guess he’s right.

100+ people stepped into a room. They could have left more prepared then when they entered. More inspired then when they entered. Instead, they left just as ignorant as before. And even worse, they now think they have attended “active shooter training.” That fact will keep them from deciding to take another class on it. Possibly one that may teach them the actual skills they need to survive. One that might inspire them to train. To make life changes. To take their survival into their own hands.

If you are blessed with the opportunity to improve lives, is it too much to ask that you take that seriously?

I’m not perfect and I don’t have all the answers, but every time I step in front of a group of people (no matter how big or small that group is) and tell them I can help them better prepare… I take that very seriously. I try to improve every time I do it. I try to be better than I was before. I try to learn and continue to evolve, so that the next time someone blesses me with that opportunity again, I can do even better.

It’s a disappointing state of affairs we live in today. I don’t care what you industry is, or what your background is. Every time someone trusts you to improve their life, take it seriously. Even if it’s just one person. That’s how you make your way to the top. Building trust, improving lives, creating a reputation. A reputation of someone passionate and committed to the subject. Someone that actually cares about the people they are working with.

Don’t miss an opportunity to improve your community or yourself. Ever.

Be good, train hard, one love

-aaron