Author’s note: If you were to receive a message from the future, you’d surely wonder how or why it could happen. For the purposes of this essay, Dear Reader, let us dispose of any theological, metaphysical, and time/space continuum considerations. Focus instead on the content of the message.
Imagine that you receive a message from the future. More alarming is that you recognize the writing style as your own. How would such a message read? Here is one possibility.
Hello:
This may come as a shock to you. I am you, but from the future. I am writing to you from the end of your/my/our career in corrections. Many years will pass for you. There will be many successes and many more trying times. I can assure you, though, you made it through. This message is evidence of this. I contact you back through the past for two reasons. I am giving encouragement to you for the challenging times. I also prepare you to weather the routine periods of your employment. The decisions that we make during both times can have profound consequences.
In your work life, you will practice and know all of the following. But I remind you of these principles in order that you will have a more productive, safer career in corrections.
Boredom is an enemy. Always keep active on the job. Even when you seem idle, you can engage in analysis. Also, extra projects on the job can enliven and improve your attitude.
Don’t take the job home. Strive to separate off time from the profession. True, part of the definition of who you are is Corrections Professional. However, that is not your sole defining point.
Treat offenders with courtesy, fairness, and within the bounds of policy and procedure. This is a true test of your professional integrity. It is not always easy to do, but it is a necessary part of safety for all.
Ride the rhythmic waves of events. Learn the cycles of the job and the larger trends outside of corrections. Your career will be like a wavy line with ups and downs. Remember that it is possible to gather momentum during a downslide for the upcoming hill.
Change is considered a bad word by many. Yet, it will come. Do not deride the messengers of change. These emissaries are not the catalysts. The events that prompt change are larger than any single person.
Avoid animosity with colleagues, but stand your ground. Assertive is better than aggressive. This attitude will salvage your integrity, your health, and, quite probably, your career. Inter-colleague disagreements that balloon into grudges detract from overall safety.
Show humble pride, but do not mistake it for false humility. Take pride in the job that you do and realize that not everyone can do this job. Consider yourself fortunate. You have the attributes to operate well under often stressful circumstances.
Admit failure, then succeed. You may sometimes do the wrong thing, but you can always learn from that. Admittedly, the learning curve was very steep at the beginning of your career. Though new things to learn have decreased, they still occur. Don’t fear admitting your mistakes. They represent a chance to grow.
Take care of yourself. Your physical and mental health ultimately form the foundation of your success and happiness. Without health, your job and your outside life become very difficult. Find ways to enjoy mind building and physical activities.
Balance your self-scrutiny. Beware of self-loathing and narcissism – the two extremes of self-knowledge. Realistically assess your vocational strengths and weaknesses and build from there.
These are just some reminders from your future self.
Best wishes always,
Me
So many questions arise from this. What is the nature of time travel? Would your actions now alter the message later? Is the future fluid or cast in stone? All of those are intriguing questions. But a pragmatic query could be “Would your future self be pleased with the course of your present self?” It is in that question that we can test our own professional integrity.
About the Author – Joe Bouchard is a Librarian at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility within the Michigan Department of Corrections. He is the Editor of The Correctional Trainer, a member of the Board of Experts for The Corrections Professional and an instructor of Corrections and Criminal Justice for Gogebic Community College. You can reach him at (906) 353-7070 ext 1321
These are the opinions of Joe Bouchard, a Librarian employed with the Michigan Department of Corrections. These are not necessarily the opinions of the Department. The MDOC is not responsible for the content or accuracy.
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