What makes a successful team?

The focus of this blog is to bring insight to a few issues. One, success is measured by the person holding the measuring stick! Two, why are we comparing ourselves to each other? Thirdly. why do we care so much about what the other group or team is doing? Why not spend that energy and focus on our own efforts?! Stop worrying about if this team or that team is getting into the big name places and you are not. The big name places cost money to get into and the REAL difficult locations are the residential investigation.

 These are the investigations that truly matter anyway. I started this group to answer many questions that I myself had. How does this happen? What are these events? Can they be removed? What is it? and Can they be made to stop?

In the pursuit of these answers I have only found more questions. Is there a point where death is suspended from judgement? How can the spirit realm exist if Gods judgement is absolute and instantaneous? What are these entities if they are NOT angels or demons?

As you delve into paranormal investigations you will realize that, not everything is going to have an answer! There are things you can not explain, you must experience to believe!! There will always be skeptics.... ALWAYS!! So stop worrying about them and the nay-sayers. Stop worrying about the critics and their negative comments. Stay strong and head-fast. Stay the course. You are the measure of your success. If getting 5 residential investigations is your goal and you get 7, you my friend are a success!!

Start yourself out with reasonable and yet modest goals.. sounds very simple and mundane, yet it works!! With each year attempt to go one step further, one step higher, and one step closer to your end game, But be mindful, this field is either feast or famine!! Be ready to accept the set backs and the failures, We only learn from our experiences and our failures!

So what is a successful team? Its simple.. its the team that sticks together, the team that perseveres, the team that accomplishes its mission each and every night they investigate. The team that stay TRUE to its self and its clients. THAT is success to me. I feel that my team is successful due to my members. They are the ones who put in the hours along side me, they sacrifice their time and their efforts just as much as I do and that is where the real pay off comes from, everyone driving to the same goal. Being there and being ready to pick up the slack where one falls off and knowing they do the same for you!  Team work is success!!

Are you a ghost hunter or paranormal investigator?

I have been listening to and reading several issues dealing with the pursuit of ghosts. One being what is the proper title. Ghost Hunter or Paranormal Investigator.

My theory is BOTH! If you are looking for or seeking the existence of ghosts, you're a ghost hunter AND a paranormal investigator. BUT, if your sole purpose is just UFO's or cryptids or whatever, you are just a paranormal investigator.

There are those in the field that are offended by being called a "Ghost Hunter" they say I am MUCH more than that. Well, that is the core task isn't it??

Well, for me, I use both terminologies. Its in our group name and when asked, I say I am a paranormal investigator. Reason being is that ghosts are a paranormal anomaly. To me its a moot point to debate over what someone refers to themselves as or to belittle those who decide to use one term or the other.

The field is what is important. The research is important. But most importantly, the explanation and the reassurance to the client is the most important aspect of the venture. We are a collective owe it to those we help to give 110% of our effort to helping them become comfortable again in the home. After all, they are the reason we do this is, isn't it??

Is impersonation the highest form of flattery?

Ok, so I have been in the middle of a few of these debates and it ALWAYS gets ugly!! One team claiming to be the "first" to do this or say that.. To clear the air.. I THINK the FIRST was Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson to actually bring paranormal investigations to main stream popularity. I THINK. So with that being said, everyone else ( me included ) can not claim to be the "first" to do anything in the field. Oh sure we have our own phrases, but in the long run, we all owe origins to someone else.

From my knowledge, "Mysticism" is the origins of paranormal investigations and that began around 1620 during the Age of Enlightenment. You see paranormal investigations has been around for quiet some time now under one name or another. So all this "you are copying me" stuff is just drama!!

I always give credit where credit is due and I always tell folks if I got the idea from someone else or if I am just re-coining  the phrase. Example. T.A.P.S  calls an area of high electro-magnetic frequency that is focused on a specific location a "Fear Cage". I have always thought that a more simpler term has always been more appropriate to explain to the client. I call it "EMF Poisoning" In the simple term you understand that EMFs have done something bad to you. Even if you don't know what an EMF is or what it does, you know its bad.

So when teams "compete" and I hate to use the term but it fits, against each other for the right to say "I was first".. it does nothing but separate and already fragile alliance that we have with each other. I believe in TRUE unity and true partnership. I have on occasion sought out other teams and asked if they wanted to investigate one of my cases. Now, it hasn't always happened, but I try to reach out to others and extend the olive branch of unity. I mean, I cant force a client to allow another team investigate when they have already entrusted me, but I try!!! I have tried a few times.

I just hate the fact that so many teams are in COMPETETION with each other. Yes, we all want to protect our sandbox. For me, I am weary of trusting others with my teams reputation. We have worked hard to get where we are and to keep the drama and speculation away from our name. Its very hard to shake old opinions. Some folks are KNOWN to be controlling or possessive of investigations. Even to the point where they may feel so threatened by another successful group, that they fabricate stories or falsehoods about that group to steal their shine!

If you have ever been a victim of this, TRUST ME when I say this, it will be ok! Just remain true to who you are and your character. Others will see by your actions that the stories were nothing more than a lie! Then you will shine brighter and stronger than your accuser! Be who you are, and be true to your cause! My group is not out for thrills or glory or notoriety. We are out there seriously trying to help others and document the actual existence of the paranormal claims. To further the field of research and hopefully, provide one or two bricks in the road to creating an actual field of scientific study into paranormal events.

So, stop worrying about who said what term first or who made up what phrase first. Hell, I made up a paranormal glossary years ago and now someone else took the idea and made it their own. I'm not mad, hateful or have any resentment toward them. I should have published it first! LOL
We need to work together, truly work together as one team to push this field into an area that is more than social entertainment and more toward a field of scientific study.

In closing, to all of you out there struggling as a team.. keep pushing forward!! Its not over yet and if their is internal conflict, START OVER or START NEW!! There is too much to do than to fight amongst ourselves. To the teams that hate each other, why?? You were friends once, cant you be friends again? At least squash the issue and stop bashing each other, it doesn't look good on either side. For those who are the glory hound or always playing "victim" for support. GROW UP!! eventually everyone will see you for who you are and when it happens, it will be like a landslide has fallen upon you and you will be shunned by the very community you called home. Its not too late to change and actually do the good things you have claimed you are aspiring to do.

I believe in unity or partnership in this field. I believe it so much that I try to assist others as much as I can. I think my willingness to help or eagerness to believe in others is both my strength and weakness. I sometimes trust too easily and it bites me in the butt from time to time. Stop worrying about what other teams do or say, especially about you if you have done nothing but grind and hustle to get your team to a level that inspires others. Be proud of your accomplishments, its not bragging or showboating if you're proud  of your accomplishments. But be humble as well, cause some may take it as arrogance and vanity. To those who feel inferior: stop it... we all started from ground zero!! We all have a beginning! Just stay the course and stay true to your heart. Everything else will work itself out.

I seriously believe that this community is unlike any other, and that we will support each other and help each other succeed. Be good to one another cause your actions speak louder than words and when you trash talk someone or purposely make a team look bad, it comes back to you.

Until my next rant!! Stay true, stay dedicated and most of all stay you!!