Lessons Learned Lessons Shared

2024 Lessons Learned Lessons Shared

With the new year approaching, I am sharing our annual notes on lessons learned and our adjusted practices implemented during 2024.

In the past year, we have adjusted, changed, and started over on several portions of our vision to advance our objectives and mission to create “The” National Standard beyond what we have accomplished in “A” National Standard. We have found that the market adjustment demands include emotional demands and technological advancements.

To manage both, we have had to erase the noise from the outside world. The art of discernment for who to listen to and who to block out is still not tried and true; it’s been instinctual, so we simply “trust our gut!”

Over the past three years, we have created a standard for several government agencies, DoD entities, and branches with the public standard in sight. The call from citizens and the public square for a “Prevention” standard has been heard and received loud and clear. While we have been successful, we have yet to be “lucky.” Instead, we have been fortunate by way of non-stop grinding and consistency. If we do not know, we ask. There are 25 companies and 130 people that make up ASPP. With over 750 years of combined leadership experience and professional practice in the profession of lifesaving, we often “go to the well,” and the right answers surface.

I write the following based on personal lessons learned and answers to questions received throughout the year. They are in no particular order because there is no one question or answer that is more important than the next. However, they are the recipe and formula for our success, and they have always and will continue to start with a vision, a plan, determination, and consistency.

Vision: In my 55 years, I learned that the quote, “to achieve the impossible, you must see the invisible” ~ Frank Gaines is more than a clever phrase. When I break that saying down into its sections and meaning, it’s not a motivational mantra. This simple phrase is a logical step toward living your dream and creating the life and lifestyle you want to live.

Here are 10 specific rules and lessons we have learned and implemented to get one day closer to Destination #NEVERHERE 

1. No one should understand or believe in what you want or want to do; it is up to you and you alone.
2. There is no perfect time to start, start.
3. Nothing will happen quickly, and even a quick success will not seem like it, so treat the one win to the 99 losses like you won a gold medal; that’s all it takes, one and one more, and so on.
4. You can receive 99 praises and one dissenting opinion. Why focus a second on one person’s view that is more than likely based on jealousy when you have 99 fans cheering you on? They have something in common: neither pay your bills, feed your families, or make you feel worthy; forget them, but be kind.
5. Not every comment deserves your time or attention.
6. Social media isn’t – use it how it was intended to be used, for support and positive outreach
7. Take chances, but make sure you understand each as a calculated risk
8. People are not rooting for you to do well; they are rooting for themselves to feel better; hate sells
9. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start; it will never arrive, start. Like the book title says, “ready, fire, aim” ~ Michael Masterson – and yes, in that order
10. Be prepared to fail and fail often; just don’t quit

In summary, create the dream, create the end, and then build your plan to make the bridge between the two. You will find you need the middle more than the end game.

From all of us at the Active Shooter Prevention Project (ASPP), LLC, we are rooting for you while we work for a safer tomorrow… may you have a safe, healthy, and prosperous Happy New Year…  Very Respectfully, Chris Grollnek//

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