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I Could Use Some Positive Energy

WazzuCoug

WazzuCoug

Member
This isn't particularly WLS related other than the potential of stress eating, which I've held back so far. For the past year I've been leading a project for 911. It's a massive change in how they process medical and fire calls received on 911. It's a lot more modern than what they have been doing, and it allows better use of fire and medical resources. It's a stressful change for the staff. They had to go through several months of new medical and fire training, new software, etc. I'm the project manager for it, so the success or failure is sort of on me. It's a project that if it goes wrong, you'll see in the press (you might see it in the press even if it goes right, because someone might think it's wrong). We have about 130 dispatchers and supervisors and about 800 firefighters and paramedics that are affected by this change. Anyway, we have a 7 day operational implementation period set up with an incident command post and such, and I'll be the commander. We've got a ton of support for the dispatchers to help them through the transition, but with any big project like this, especially when it involves technology, new software and new integration between software, there are bound to be issues. There's just no getting around it.

Although I'm confident in what I do, and I'm confident in what we've set up, I am of course incredibly anxious and stressed at the moment. Two combinations of emotions that had led to eating in the past. I plan on turning to my standby stress food these days, carrots and hummus, but the pressure will be great.

Tomorrow we have a final team meeting to get a last few things organized, and then I'll be at the 911 center starting at 2:45 am on Tuesday morning, and the software and new procedures will start at 4:00 am. I'll be in the command center for the next 14 hours after that until my 2nd in command relieves me, and then we'll rotate 12 hours shifts for the rest of the 7 day period. If it all goes well, we may be able to demobilize early, so fingers crossed for that.

Anyway, I could use all the positive energy I can muster.

I imagine I'll won't be browsing around here as much as I normally do until after this has passed.
 
It sounds like what you’re doing is amazing! Focus on the strength of your work team, their abilities, and you’ll be successful. You’re a strong leader, I know that because you do your research to make sure you give factual information, but it’s also presented with a kind heart!
 
Very proud of the plan you already have in place -- you have thought out your go to foods -- your need for support and the rotating schedule. I know that you are worried about the stress of the new system, but regardless of it's success YOU have already succeeded!. You have come a very long way just from the posts I have read and the wonderful support you give to others. I think the thought that you have put into not only your job, but the challenges you see looming for yourself and how you plan to handle them in the next week show how much progress you have made!
 
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Good luck with this. I hope this all will work out well. bugs and always get worked out as they come up. My son is a paramedic in Wisconsin and I know they are all a great group of people. So you and do this. I am sure everyone wants this to work out well.
 
That does sound stressful but how nice that your job allows you to make a positive difference in the world. I will absolutely send positive vibes your way. It's good that you're planning on taking your go to snacks, rather than leaving what you eat this week up for grabs. Due to the job description you gave it sounds like you are very aware that careful planning is the key to success. What's the saying? Measure twice, cut once? It's pretty much true for any situation. Good luck.
 
As a software engineer I committed to never work on anything that could harm someone if it failed. I think you’re really brave to take this on. The world needs people like you, willing to take a risk for the common good. I would advise that you trust in the team to help you handle any problems gracefully. I’m sure you’ve got lots of smart, motivated people around you.
 
I have emerged. Things are going very well for a project of this size and scope. Bumps in the road here or there, but nothing major. It was very satisfying to see the support plans we put in place for the 911 call takers and dispatchers to come into place and make a difference in helping minimize their stress as they started using these new protocols and software. The support and the program doesn't end here, of course, it's just getting started, but now I get to transition from project manager to support and education, which I enjoy a lot more. Of course...there is another project waiting in the background that will be even larger and have more impact, but I get a few months where I don't have to worry about it as much.

I also am taking several weeks off this summer to just relax, so I'm looking forward to that.

Thanks for the comments and positive thoughts, etc. I appreciate you.
 
Wow I read this before. I knew you were gonna do good. I am thrilled to hear that things have gone well. Give yourself time take baby steps with new project. You succeeded here with this one. You have great motivational skills. I believe in you, you do your homework first. Thanks for all you have done for the bariatric support site.
 
Roni said:
Wow I read this before. I knew you were gonna do good. I am thrilled to hear that things have gone well. Give yourself time take baby steps with new project. You succeeded here with this one. You have great motivational skills. I believe in you, you do your homework first. Thanks for all you have done for the bariatric support site.
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Thanks. The initial project success was better than I could have hoped for. There is still a transition period that is going to have its ups and downs, but at this point, all the major stakeholders have been ecstatic. So, I am happy, albeit there is still a lot of support to continue to ensure things are good long term, but it's starting off well.

Sharing on this site and others helps keep me engaged in my own journey to long term success. One of my ongoing goals is to just "help" where I can. It pains me to see and read about people struggling before and after surgery, but the joy that is possible by getting healthier is just so amazing and rewarding. This is by far my favorite group of people to "hang out" with and the community that I'm constantly wondering about how each person is doing. I think together we all have a much better chance of success than just going it alone.
 
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