Are you a WOLF or SHEEP?

If you follow Tactical Advantage Training, you have seen me post, “Wolves don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.” For the modern fire service, I believe this motto is incredibly fitting.  So please allow me a minute of your time to explain my opinion behind the wolves and sheep mindset. Before I start, realize that the descriptions are about a mindset that people choose to live by daily.

Wolves

They are pro-active, passionate, and are always trying to challenge themselves in attempt to grow stronger in the process. Wolves keep going...PERIOD. They push on even when the road is all up-hill. Wolves soldier on in the face of insurmountable odds and are always up for the challenge. Wolves step on complacently and refuse to settle for a 9-5 mediocrity. A Wolf will not trouble himself with the opinions of those that are uninspired and lack passion.

Sheep

Sheep are typically reactive or not active at all, usually it is the latter. The sheep will quit at the very thought of a challenge and justify it by hating on the passion and drive of the wolves. If you tell a sheep they cannot do something, they will agree with you and the only thing they will be passionate about is excuses. Sheep retreat to the comfort of ignorance and laziness that they live with. As much as you would like to pull the wool from their eyes, they are the ones that must realize they are blind. Sheep are typically very good at one thing, blending in with the flock.

Now that we are clear on wolves vs. sheep, I am going to be 100% honest with you. There are people who want to see you fail. Your setbacks make them feel a tiny bit better about their own accomplishments or lack thereof.  When wolves thrive, the sheep’s mentality is to criticize, hate, and do whatever else it takes to justify their own lack of achievement, complacency, and laziness. Now I am not saying that wolves do not make mistakes and that some criticism isn’t warranted…nobody is perfect. When it comes to mistakes just remember this quote, "A person who never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein.

In closing, remember that being a wolf is a mindset that you must choose every day. You can’t waste time on the opinion of sheep or let it alter your path. Whether it’s their opinion on your passion, drive, training, love of the job, or the long list of possibilities, the best rebuttal will be through your hard work and commitment to your goal. So today let’s make a commitment to strive to have the passion, training, and mindset of the wolves. www.TrainTacticalAdvantage.com

ISAAC FRAZIER is a Special Operations Lieutenant with St. Johns County Florida’s Heavy Rescue “Squad 4”. First due to the deadliest stretch of roadway in the nation, Frazier teaches from personal street experience providing tried and true tactics. Frazier is the owner of Tactical Advantage Training and creator of the course Tactical Extrication. Frazier travels nationally sharing his passion teaching fire and extrication courses. Frazier is a Florida Fire Officer, FL Paramedic, Special Operations Officer, Florida State Instructor, FLUSAR Tech, Diver, and FL Hazmat Tech.