Page 2 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 1-22-15

2 Desert Wings Commentary January 22, 2016
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Making a difference

by Chief Master Sgt. Mike Heath charged. Make sure they can do your job someday. Teach excellence will ensue. These things can happen when you

Vandenberg AFB, Calif. them from your experiences — the good, the bad and the realize it’s not about you and you take care of your people.

ugly. You and I share a common blessing in that we are members
Will you make a difference in someone else’s life today? Share your successes and failures and tell them how you RIWKH¿QHVWFRXQWU\LQWKHZRUOG,KDYHIDLWKWKDW\RXZLOO
We have all heard someone say, “Take care of your people handled them. Make it a teaching moment so you can make endeavor to make our country even better in the future by
and their families.” Have you ever stopped to think why we them better leaders.
hear this so often? making a difference in someone else’s life today.

Taking the time to develop Airmen is not an easy task and I was entrusted with the incredible responsibility to be a
As Airmen, our number one responsibility is to accomplish it’s not something that can be done only online or by com- supervisor more than 25 years ago. I started something that
the mission. However, without smart, dedicated, hard-work- puter based training. It takes human interaction, patience, ¿UVWPRUQLQJDV,SUHSDUHGIRUZRUN$V,ZDVVRSURXGO\
ing people and the unconditional support of their families, effort, and an ability to evolve. Enable and motivate people putting on my Air Force uniform I looked into the mirror
the mission would not get accomplished. This philosophy is to accomplish the mission. Give a sense of accomplishment and said, “Will you make a difference in someone else’s life
not new. In fact, it’s been a fundamental concept in our Air and make sure they are recognized for it. If done properly, today?” I have asked that question every day since. When I
Force culture for many years, but are we truly putting forth QRGRXEW\RXZLOOLQVWLOOFRQ¿GHQFHLQRWKHUVDQGHQVXUHWKH get home at the end of my duty day, as I take off my uniform,
our best effort on a daily basis to be involved in the lives of success of tomorrow’s leaders.
our people and understand the needs of our Airmen? I look in that mirror again and ask myself, “Did you make

It’s not about you. It’s about other people. When you take a difference in someone else’s life today?” Sometimes the
Genuinely caring for your Airmen is essential and helpful care of your people, help them accomplish their goals and answer is no, so what do I do the next day? Try harder!

when providing honest and realistic performance apprais- live up to their potential, and great things will happen. Not So I ask you; will you make a difference in someone else’s

als. Mentor those whose development with which you are only will the mission get accomplished, but innovation and life today? If you do, it could inspire an Airman for a lifetime.
New year, new you? Tips for successful resolutions

by Airman 1st Class Denise Nevins as stress or even just lack of motivation. To to detail how you will avoid the temptation tough to accomplish, but the rewarding feel-
Ellsworth AFB, S.D. help prevent falling off track with your reso- to break your resolution, such as talking to a ing you get when you succeed at meeting your
lutions, here are some tips to start off your friend or remembering how poorly it would goal is well worth it.
Have you ever gone into the new year cer- resolutions strong. affect your goal.
tain this will be the year you change your life 6. Keep trying: If you run out of motiva-
for the better, but after just a few weeks, you 1. Be realistic: The quickest and surest way 3. Keep a journal: Start a journal to track tion after a while, don’t give up. Experts say
fall right back into the same habits? Well, you to fall short of your goals is to make them your progress. You can write a “pros” and it takes 21 days for a new activity to become
are not alone. unattainable. For example, resolving you will “cons” list and track each small success. a habit, and six months for it to become a part
never eat fast food again is setting yourself up Short-term goals are easier to keep, and each of your personality. Recommit yourself for
According to John Norcross, a distin- to fail. Instead, strive to be realistic, such as small accomplishment will help keep you mo- 24 hours, and soon the 24-hour increments
guished professor of clinical psychology at avoiding it more than you do now. Also, don’t tivated toward achieving your long-term goal. will build up, ultimately putting you back on
the University of Scranton, approximately 40 keep your resolution a secret. Tell family and track. Success doesn’t happen overnight, so
to 45 percent of Americans make resolutions IULHQGVZKRZLOOVXSSRUW\RXPD\EHHYHQ¿QG 4. Reward yourself: Celebrate your success stay motivated and patient.
to better themselves in some way. However, a friend with the same goal and motivate each by treating yourself to something you enjoy
only small percentages actually stick with other. that doesn’t contradict with your resolution. There is a quote from Robert Foster Ben-
their goals. Statistics show about 75 percent For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, nett that says, “A desire to be in charge of our
RISHRSOHVWD\RQWUDFNIRUWKH¿UVWZHHN\HW 3ODQDKHDG'RQ¶WZDLWXQWLOWKHODVWPLQ- reward your success with new clothes or a trip own lives, a need for control, is born in each
less than 46 percent are still on track after six ute to make your resolutions; otherwise, it will to the movies with a friend. of us. It is essential to our mental health, and
months. be based on the mindset of the particular day. our success, that we take control.”
It is best to have your resolutions planned well 5. Don’t beat yourself up: Do the best you
There are many reasons a person might before the start of the new year. It is also wise can each and every day, taking it one day at The road to self-improvement is not an
have trouble keeping up with their goals, such a time. If you slip up, obsessing over it won’t easy one, but in the end, it could very well
get you anywhere. Some resolutions can be be worth it.

Commander’s
Action Line

email: speak2cc@edwards.af.mil

The Commander’s Action Line gives all Airmen, re-
tirees, families and community members a direct link to
Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander.
The Action Line can be used to express constructive
points of view on the policies and procedures of the
base; discuss safety and security issues; and address
problems, concerns, or suggestions after traditional
methods have been exhausted.

The Commander’s Action Line should not be the
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commanders.

Action Line queries may be submitted by sending an
e-mail to speak2cc@edwards.af.mil with Commander’s
Action Line as the subject heading or by calling (661)
277-7325. Action Line submissions must be written in
a courteous and professional tone, and must include a
name, an e-mail address or an alternative method of
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