Limitless Monday – Learn from the military

I heard a quotation a few years ago which was attributed to the military. It’s a phrase I often think about when reluctantly rising from bed at 5am every morning. “I’ve done a day’s work by the time most people have had their breakfast.”.

Jocko Wilnick, the ex-Navy Seal, who received a mention in my article on taking responsibility, often talks about waking early whilst the enemy is sleeping.

The motto I live by is, the early bird catches all the worms. I find if I stay in bed longer than usual then I either miss opportunities or feel like I am playing catch-up all day. I prefer to be on the front foot kicking ass rather than having it kicked.

There is truth in the phrase, you snooze you lose. We have a finite number of productive hours available. If we hold down a 9 to 5 job then there is even less time to be productive. Success and Improvement come from cramming as much as possible into our limited hours. Working on the basis that every minute counts, use your time wisely and, of course, productively.

Rising early is one of the many themes that the military uses to drive and motivate them to be the best versions of themselves. We can learn a lot from this never give up, extreme approach to life.

Another concept that I often think about is someone we all love to hate in war movies: the drill sergeant.

During the selection process for the US Marines, the recruits who are singled out for being weak, untidy, rude, etc., are made to do extra long runs, additional push ups, and cleaning duties. These recruits are never envied, and the drill sergeant is despised. It’s a mistake we all make.

We forget that these soldiers are conditioning themselves beyond that of their contemporaries. After a few weeks of torture, they will be stronger and fitter than their fellow recruits who were giggling inwardly, happy that they avoided the punishing swim fully clothed in freezing water at 4am.

This lesson can be applied to life. Take on additional responsibility, volunteer for that extra class, extend your run by another mile, run when it’s raining, go to jiu-jitsu when you are least feeling like it. Continue attending the boxing class especially when you are being consistently beaten to a pulp by the more experienced fighters. Most people at this point complain that they are not making progress, start going less regularly before finally giving up. They avoid the pain barrier which is necessary if you are to achieve greatness. The pain is where the stories are. You are nothing without war stories my friend!

My final military lesson derives from probably the most inspirational speeches I have ever listened to. Make your bed. 

Making your bed is probably the first tangible job you do to start your day. They say a tidy home is a tidy mind. The mind likes to complete tasks; it doesn’t like tasks left undone.

Failing to complete tasks, goals, challenges provides the subconscious mind with an excuse to leave other tasks unfinished, and this pattern continues. Reverse this pattern by making your bed religiously every morning. It all starts with one small completed task. One other tip: use a to-do list, and get into a habit of completing tasks and checking completed tasks off. Don’t be one of those people who leaves jobs undone, goals abandoned, and ambitions unfulfilled.

This Monday, you have a few things to think about. Firstly, wake early. While your enemy sleeps, you will be hustling. Two, start your day with a bang. Make your bed. Finally, go that extra mile in whatever task or challenge you are involved in. Create some war stores.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Soldier. Image Credit – TheDigitalArtist