As December marches on, marking the end of another year, it’s not unusual for many of us to feel a bit caught off guard. We often reflect on the year gone by and realize there were goals we set out to achieve but didn’t quite reach. I’m here to tell you that this feeling, while common, doesn’t define your capacity for success in the coming year.
Let’s start with a change in perspective. It’s easy to see unmet goals as failures, but I urge you to view them as stepping stones. Each attempt, each effort, is a lesson in resilience and a testament to your willingness to strive for excellence. This is not about what you haven’t achieved; it’s about the journey you’ve embarked on and the growth you’ve experienced along the way.
I want to share a principle that has always guided me: the importance of starting with what you have, where you are. There was a time when I faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. The odds were stacked against me, and the path to success was unclear. But instead of focusing on the enormity of the task, I focused on the first step I could take. That first step led to another, and then another. Before I knew it, I had built a momentum that carried me through to success. This principle applies to every aspect of life, whether it’s personal development, career goals, or relationships.
As we look forward to 2024, remember that it’s never too late to start. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; create it. Every day is an opportunity to take a small step towards your goals. It’s about consistent effort, not grand gestures. Set realistic, achievable targets for yourself, and celebrate each milestone, no matter how small.
Embrace the mindset of continuous improvement. It’s not about being the best; it’s about being better than you were yesterday. Challenge yourself to learn something new, to step out of your comfort zone. The only limits that exist are the ones you place on yourself.
As you plan for the new year, remember that success is not a destination but a journey. It’s about the resilience to keep going, the courage to face your fears, and the determination to keep pushing, even when the odds seem against you. You have the power to shape your future, one step at a time. Let’s make 2024 a year of relentless pursuit of our goals and dreams. Let’s forge our path with determination and grace. Remember, the only way to achieve the impossible is to believe it’s possible.
In the rigorous and demanding world of a US Navy SEAL, one underlying principle remains constant: adaptability. Our ability to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity is not just an attribute – it’s a survival skill. The difference between success and failure, life and death, often boils down to perspective. And this perspective is crucial not just on the battlefield, but in business and life: Life happens for you, not to you.
When Life Happens FOR You
Navigating through enemy territory, the moments when the mission comes together seamlessly feel like the universe is aligning in our favor. In the realm of business, these are the moments when:
A New Lead Opens Doors: Just like intel that leads us to an essential target, a new lead in business can open doors to opportunities that can change the game. It’s a chance to expand, to innovate, and to grow.
Positive 5-Star Reviews: The satisfaction of a mission accomplished is unparalleled. In the business world, this translates to those gleaming 5-star reviews from satisfied customers. They’re an affirmation that your hard work is not in vain and that you’re on the right path.
Stable Renewable Revenue: In SEAL operations, consistency and reliability are invaluable. In business, having a stable renewable revenue stream is akin to having a secure base. It allows you to plan, strategize, and allocate resources efficiently.
These instances don’t happen by sheer coincidence. They’re the result of dedication, hard work, and a genuine understanding of your purpose and goals. They’re life happening for you.
When Life Seems To Happen TO You
However, it’s not always smooth sailing. In the SEAL teams, we often face unexpected challenges, be it in the form of unforeseen obstacles or sudden changes in mission parameters. Similarly, in business and life:
Gossipy Networkers: They remind me of the noise and distractions on a battlefield – the random radio chatter that doesn’t contribute to the mission. These individuals burn your time for the sheer sake of it. Learning to discern between valuable intel and mere noise is vital.
Armchair Quarterbacks: Just like critics who’ve never set foot on a battlefield yet feel qualified to comment on tactics, there will always be those leaving snippy comments on your social media posts. Their perspectives, uninformed and distant from the realities you face, should never derail you from your path.
Garbage Leads: Similar to false intel, these are individuals or opportunities that seem promising but lead nowhere. They don’t understand your vision or your business. While it’s crucial to remain open to opportunities, it’s equally essential to recognize and discard the ones that don’t align with your mission.
In these moments, it’s easy to feel that life is happening to you. But remember, even adversity is an opportunity – an opportunity to learn, to adapt, and to grow stronger.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an employee, or simply navigating the journey of life, embracing the belief that life happens for you is transformative. In the SEAL teams, this perspective makes the difference between a mission accomplished and a mission failed. In life and business, it determines whether you rise to the occasion or let challenges dictate your fate.
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain. Remember, every challenge, every setback, and every victory is a step in the journey. Embrace it. Adapt. Overcome. Because life is happening for you.
In the relentless pursuit of success, it’s easy to get swept away by the prevailing winds of trends and shiny shortcuts. There’s a natural inclination to look for the next big thing, that magic bullet which promises to catapult us towards our goals at warp speed. We look for those templates that will get us there faster with greater impact, eagerly hoping to circumvent the gritty grind that success often demands. Yet, in chasing after these fleeting certainties, we tend to overlook a cardinal truth: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast when you stack wins.
In my realm of extreme discipline and unyielding commitment, this principle isn’t merely a catchy phrase; it’s a lived reality. The unforgiving crucible of challenges I faced honed a clarity of focus that sifted through the noise, prioritizing consistent, deliberate action over fleeting novelties. Each day demanded an unwavering dedication to the fundamentals, to the unglamorous routine of tireless practice and perpetual learning.
Each sunrise brought with it a new set of trials, a fresh chance to hone the blade of competence, to stack those modest wins that gradually forge the alloy of mastery. The magic wasn’t found in trendy tactics or flashy strategies, but in the silent creed of doing simple things savagely well. The path to success was rarely a sprint, but a marathon of resilience, a relentless cadence of inching forward, irrespective of the clamor echoing the next shortcut to glory.
Trends come and go with the tide, yet the ancient virtues of discipline, patience, and relentless forward progress remain immutable. The allure of rapid success often beckons, promising to alleviate the arduous journey. Yet, it’s the commitment to mastering the basics, to celebrating the small wins, and to embracing the grind, that paves the road to enduring victory.
It’s a long game, a stoic dance with patience that gradually compiles the humble wins into towering monuments of achievement. The world often fixates on the swift, yet overlooks the steady. But, through the lens of relentless pursuit, it’s crystal clear that slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and stacking wins, no matter how small, is the blueprint to a legacy of success.
Pushing boundaries, seeking discomfort, and constantly testing limits – these aren’t just buzzwords for me. They’re a way of life. In the realm of the SEALs, this principle holds a sacred place. The reason? Because being uncomfortable is where true growth happens.
Every day, we’re set up to face challenges that many would deem insurmountable. The very nature of our training pushes us to the brink, designed not just to test our limits, but to go beyond them. Why? Because it’s in those moments of pure discomfort, when the odds seem stacked against us, that we discover who we really are.
It’s easy to navigate a smooth sea; any sailor will tell you that. But navigating stormy waters, braving the unforgiving waves, and keeping your ship steady? That’s where skill, endurance, and true grit are tested. Much like those stormy seas, we too face rigorous physical and mental challenges. These challenges aren’t there just to break us down, but to build us up stronger than before.
Forcing myself into these situations of discomfort has done more for me than any comfortable day ever could. It’s easy to relax when things are going your way, but it’s the resistance, the fight, and the push against obstacles that carve out a resilient soul.
This is precisely why I don’t shy away from physical endurance challenges. The burning in my muscles, the weight of exhaustion, the mental battle of pushing just one step further – these sensations, as uncomfortable as they are, have become my allies. They teach me about my own strength and the power of the human spirit. They remind me that discomfort is temporary, but the strength and character it builds? That’s permanent.
Being uncomfortable also teaches one of the most vital lessons: adaptability. When faced with unknown terrains and unexpected hurdles, we quickly learn to adjust, improvise, and overcome. This isn’t just a physical lesson; it’s a mental and emotional one too. Embracing the unfamiliar, and learning to thrive in it, is a skill that serves well not just in the harshest terrains of combat, but in the challenging terrains of life.
So, the next time you find yourself shying away from something that makes you uncomfortable, remember that growth isn’t found in the ease and comfort of the familiar. It’s found in the gritty, rough edges of challenges. Dive into those moments headfirst. Embrace the discomfort. Grow through it. And remember, every challenge faced and overcome is another testament to your strength and resilience.
In the high-pressure, high-stakes environment of a Navy SEAL, fear is not just an abstract concept—it’s a reality faced regularly. But in the world of elite warriors, there’s an understanding that fear itself isn’t the enemy; it’s how we handle it that defines us. Embracing and exposing our fears can have transformative effects on personal and professional levels.
The E in GET NAKED: Expose Your Fears
The acronym “GET NAKED” provides a powerful framework for self-improvement and growth. Specifically, the “E” stands for “Expose Your Fears.” Why? Because until we unveil those fears, we cannot address, overcome, or harness them for positive outcomes.
1. Fear Keeps You Honest One of the first things to understand is that fear, in its essence, is a primal emotion designed to keep us safe. It signals a potential threat or challenge. However, that challenge can often lead to growth. By exposing your fears, you’re acknowledging that there’s something outside of your comfort zone, something that can push you to grow. Fear keeps you honest about your limitations, but it also highlights opportunities for growth.
2. Fear Hones Decision Making In the field, a split-second decision can mean the difference between life and death. By exposing and understanding your fears, you become more adept at making decisions under pressure. Fear can become a tool—a lens through which you see possible outcomes more clearly, allowing you to weigh options and take decisive action with greater clarity and confidence.
3. Fear Fuels Preparation and Training When a SEAL knows what he’s afraid of, it gives him a precise area to focus on during training. If there’s a specific scenario or skill that induces fear, exposing it means making it a primary training target. It drives a relentless pursuit of mastery, ensuring that when the time comes, the SEAL is not just competent but dominant in that area.
It’s crucial to understand that most people will never do anything significant in their lives because they are controlled by fear. They remain shackled by the “what ifs” and potential negative outcomes, never realizing that these very fears, once exposed and addressed, could be their biggest motivators and teachers.
In the end, whether in the demanding world of a Navy SEAL or the challenges of daily life, exposing your fears isn’t just about bravery. It’s about realizing that on the other side of that fear lies a version of yourself that’s stronger, more competent, and more in control. Embracing this philosophy is not just for the elite—it’s a mindset available to anyone willing to GET NAKED with their fears.
Mediocrity: a word so commonplace that most don’t even flinch when they hear it. For many, it’s an accepted standard, a comfortable midpoint between the two extremes of success and failure. But to a Navy SEAL, it represents one of the deadliest threats to mission success, team cohesion, and self-growth. Here’s why.
The True Enemy Lies Within: Mediocrity is more than just a lack of effort or skill. It’s a mindset, a silent whisper that tells you it’s okay to settle for less than your best. The K in GET NAKED stands for Kill Mediocrity. This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a creed to live by. To allow mediocrity is to let the enemy within take over, pushing aside ambition, drive, and the pursuit of excellence.
Most Never Start: One of the gravest costs of mediocrity is that it convinces individuals to never even start. As the saying goes, most people never start and fail before leaving the gate. They’re paralyzed by their own limiting self-beliefs, convinced that average is the best they can achieve. This self-defeating mindset ensures that they’ll never tap into their true potential or discover what they’re truly capable of achieving.
Mediocrity Stifles Growth: Settling for “good enough” means never pushing boundaries, never venturing outside of the comfort zone. And without that push, there’s no growth, no evolution. Stagnation sets in. A Navy SEAL knows that to be the best, continuous learning and adaptation are vital. When mediocrity takes hold, that flame of growth is stifled, and skills and capabilities plateau.
Mediocrity doesn’t just affect performance in the moment. Its ripple effects can be felt long after the mission is over. A team that becomes accustomed to mediocrity can quickly lose its edge, its unity, and its sense of purpose. Mediocrity breeds complacency, and complacency is what gets people hurt, or worse.
Beyond the physical realm, mediocrity will paralyze your own limiting self-beliefs. This paralysis can affect not only one’s professional life but also personal aspirations, relationships, and even one’s mental health. Breaking free from these chains requires recognizing the mediocrity for what it is: a self-imposed cage.
So, how does one break free? By committing to excellence in every endeavor, no matter how small. By pushing boundaries, taking risks, and understanding that failure is a step towards success. And above all, by remembering that the cost of mediocrity is too high a price for anyone to pay.
In the world of a Navy SEAL, where challenges and risks are a constant part of the landscape, the fear of failure takes on a distinct intensity. It’s not just about missing a mark; it’s about the potential consequences that could ripple through a mission, a team, and even one’s life. But this fear, paradoxically, is also a source of motivation and growth.
You may have heard me say before that I love the process of failure because I learn so much from it. It might sound counterintuitive, but it’s the truth. In the context of a Navy SEAL’s journey, failure is not an option—it’s an inevitability. During BUD/s, we are set up to fail every evolution. It forces us to either roger up and get better or ring out (ring the bell) and quit. We push ourselves to the limits, testing our physical, mental, and emotional boundaries to achieve what seems impossible. Each time we stumble and fall, we rise again with the determination to learn from our missteps and perform even better.
Most people never start and fail before leaving the gate. This notion holds a special place in the hearts of SEALs. The courage to embark on a mission, to chase after a goal, requires conquering the fear of failure before it even has a chance to take root. You see, it’s the fear of failure that causes us to quit before we ever start. It’s the insidious voice that whispers doubt and hesitation into our minds, attempting to paralyze us in a state of inaction.
In the world of Navy SEALs, we’ve learned to confront this fear head-on. We don’t deny its existence; instead, we use it as fuel. We acknowledge the weight of failure and its potential to impact lives, but we also recognize that it’s part of the journey. The fear of failure becomes a catalyst for preparation, training rigorously, fostering resilience, and developing mental fortitude.
Navy SEALs undergo some of the most rigorous training in the world, focusing on preparing for failure scenarios. From the infamous Hell Week to grueling physical and mental challenges, trainees learn to operate effectively under extreme stress and uncertainty.
The “40% Rule” is often referenced by Navy SEALs. It suggests that when your mind tells you that you’re done and can’t go any further, you’re actually only at 40% of your potential. Pushing past this mental barrier is crucial in high-stakes situations and reminds us that our minds often limit us more than our bodies do.
The Navy SEAL ethos emphasizes teamwork and camaraderie. SEALs rely on their teammates for support and trust, understanding that failure can be shared, learned from, and ultimately become a stepping stone toward success.
So, from the perspective of a Navy SEAL, the fear of failure is not a roadblock; it’s a challenge to be conquered. It’s the force that propels us forward, that drives us to excel beyond what we thought possible. Embracing the possibility of failure, we not only disarm its power but also harness its energy to become stronger, more adaptable, and, ultimately, more effective in accomplishing our missions.
Entrepreneurship and personal freedom share a profound connection. Building your own business becomes a pathway to independence, providing an avenue for individuals to shape their destinies, exercise autonomy, and create opportunities for personal and financial growth. Here are key points highlighting this connection through the lens of an entrepreneurial Navy SEAL:
Pursuit of Purpose: Just as a Navy SEAL finds purpose in serving their country, entrepreneurship allows for the pursuit of a different kind of purpose. By building a business, you can follow your passion, leveraging your unique skills and experiences to create something meaningful. This pursuit of purpose for us extends beyond the battlefield and brings a sense of fulfillment to our renewed civilian life – something you can experience as well.
Tactical Decision-Making: In our careers, we make strategic decisions in high-pressure situations, SEALs are entrepreneurial by nature, and we embrace the challenge of decision-making in business. With the ability to adapt and make calculated choices, we navigate the competitive landscape, set goals, and determine the direction of our venture. This independence you have the ability to adopt in decision-making mirrors the same autonomy we experience on the battlefield.
Agile Adaptability: The training of a Navy SEAL fosters adaptability and resourcefulness, which seamlessly translate to entrepreneurship. An entrepreneurial Navy SEAL can quickly adjust to market dynamics, identify opportunities, and pivot when necessary. This flexibility ensures we stay ahead of the curve, responding to challenges with resilience and maintaining a strong sense of independence. This is a pinnacle lesson and skill anyone pursuing a business should take to heart and implement.
Leadership and Team Building: A Navy SEAL understands the power of effective leadership and teamwork. When becoming an entrepreneur, carry these invaluable skills, and build a business with a strong foundation. By assembling and leading a team, delegating responsibilities, fostering a collaborative environment, and creating a culture that values autonomy, initiative, and personal growth, you’ll progress to new levels of success.
Overcoming Adversity: Both in the military and in entrepreneurship, adversity is a constant companion. As Navy SEALs, we draw upon our training and experience, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. The ability to face adversity head-on, persevere, and adapt is ingrained in our character, empowering us to overcome obstacles and maintain independence in the face of adversity – something you can develop as well, and I strongly suggest you do to thrive and become prosperous.
Impact and Legacy: Just as Navy SEALs strive to make a lasting impact in their service, entrepreneurial Navy SEALs seek to create a legacy through their business. By introducing innovative solutions, driving change, and making a positive difference in the lives of others, they leave their mark on the entrepreneurial landscape. This pursuit of impact and legacy further enhances our sense of independence.
Your entrepreneurial journey can take on new levels of success by embracing the lessons a Navy SEAL offers as a unique perspective on the connection between entrepreneurship and personal freedom. Through the pursuit of purpose, tactical decision-making, adaptability, leadership, resilience, and the desire to create a lasting impact, if you adopt these as an entrepreneur, you’ll forge your own path to independence. Apply the values and skills acquired to build a business that aligns with their passion, allowing you to shape your own destiny and embrace the freedom that entrepreneurship provides.
As a retired US Navy SEAL veteran, I know all too well the physical and emotional toll that serving our country can take on a person. When I left the service, I had a litany of issues to deal with, including the emotional decompression I experienced and the effects of physical injuries I acquired during my years of service working within special operations forces. After trying various treatments and therapies, I had another SEAL brother share some CBD with me, and I started to learn more about its potential to help alleviate what I was experiencing.
I haven’t been shy about my post SEAL team life and especially the first year and a half after my retirement. I started using alcohol to self-medicate in an attempt to tone down the anger I was feeling. I also experienced physical pain throughout my body, and I wasn’t willing to commit to a life of prescription medicine that would likely harm me in the long haul rather than address my problems.
A SEAL brother of mine shared with me a bag of his CBD gummies, and I started to take them. I noticed that my pain was lessening, and I wasn’t as angry as I had been in the past. Eventually, I found myself becoming more even-tempered inside and less angry. Then I ran out of gummies, and the anger started to build again. I bought another bag of gummies, and the anger started to diminish again, and I thought, “Hey there’s something to this.”
So I started a CBD company.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant that has been shown to have a variety of potential health benefits. Unlike its cousin THC, which is the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana use, CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects. Instead, it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating a variety of physiological processes, including pain perception, mood, and sleep.
I wanted to create a product that was not only effective but also trustworthy and transparent. The Navy SEAL ethos is one I don’t take lightly and resonates with my personal and professional core values. I know firsthand the importance of integrity and honesty, and I wanted my company to reflect those values.
One of the main reasons I started a CBD company was to provide other veterans with an alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and PTSD. Many veterans are prescribed a metric shit ton of prescription meds, including opioids for chronic pain, which can be highly addictive and have dangerous side effects. CBD, on the other hand, has been shown to have few side effects and a low risk of addiction.
In addition to providing veterans with an alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals, I wanted to create a company that supported the effort to educate and prevent veteran service members suicide, which is climbing at an alarming rate. It’s something I speak of when I travel and address business leaders across the country.
Starting a CBD company, not only as a retired Navy SEAL veteran from Naval Special Warfare but as a small business owner, has not been without its challenges. There is still a lot of stigma surrounding cannabis and CBD, and it can sometimes be difficult to navigate the complex legal landscape. However, I believe that the potential benefits of CBD are worth the effort, and it’s an established alternate form of treatment for many. I think we’re still at the beginning of really understanding what CBD oil can do for the active service members of our armed forces as well as our veterans. In my opinion, this is our new mission – to combat the individual forces that separate us from living our best life and focus on post-career care. Negligence, ignorance, and stagnation for treatment is our new enemy.
If you want to learn more about how I cultivate a strong mindset and apply the use of CBD in my life, check out a recent podcast I was a guest on as I talk about all of this.
As a Navy SEAL, I can attest to the fact that “embracing the suck” is a core philosophy that is ingrained in every SEAL candidate from the moment they begin their training. It’s a mentality that is vital for success, not just in the military but in all aspects of our lives while in the service and after. Embracing the suck means accepting and even enjoying the difficulties and challenges that come with any situation and using them as an opportunity to grow and improve. I share my personal experiences with how I’ve embraced the suck, as well as some insights into how this mindset can benefit anyone who chooses to adopt it as part of my 5 SEAL Secrets (there’s a link below to download it for free).
It’s important to understand the origins of the term “embrace the suck.” It’s a phrase that has been used in the SEAL teams for many years and in the whole special operations forces community. I first learned it when I entered my first phase of the SEAL BUD/s training program and the lessons continued through second phase, third phase, and well into my career as a SEAL leader. Looking back, the physical screening test to qualify for BUD/s was the easiest part of my career!
William Branum US Navy SEAL BUDs
“Embrace the suck” refers to the idea that when things get tough, the tough never quit – they embrace the difficulty and push through it. In BUD/s, on the grinder at the Naval Special Warfare Center, and throughout our SEAL qualification training, we learn the price of complaining when “the suck” becomes much harder. The instructors correct anyone who complains quickly by increasing the level, difficulty, and consequences of “the suck.” When a candidate starts falling back or showing weakness, physical training becomes increasingly difficult. By the fourth week of training, we enter Hell Week, where we endure the most grueling conditions of our initial training.
William Branum US Navy SEAL Second Phase
In SEAL training, “the suck” refers to the grueling physical and mental challenges that candidates must endure to become SEALs. These challenges include long, punishing swims in frigid water, sleep deprivation, and hours of physical exertion in extreme heat or cold. We are set up to fail every day and in every evolution. I can attest to the fact that it was an essential part of my process. The instructors were experts at pushing us beyond our limits and making us face our fears, both physical and mental. But as challenging as it was, it taught us the value of perseverance, mental toughness, leadership skills, and teamwork. We learned to embrace failure and use it as a stepping stone to success.
I quickly learned the importance of embracing the suck in the early days of training. Not everyone is good at swimming or running, and in BUD/s, you learn if you’re a better swimmer or a better runner. When I found myself struggling to keep up with my teammates, I took that pressure and turned it into power. The long, grueling days left me exhausted and sore, and like everyone in BUD/s at one point or another, I wondered if I had what it took to make it through.
It was during these moments that I began to embrace the challenges and see them as opportunities, or else I’d fail and return to the fleet. For me, that wasn’t an option. One of the most important things I learned during SEAL training was that embracing the suck isn’t just about physical toughness – it’s also about mental resilience. When you’re exhausted, cold, chaffed raw, in pain, and miserable, it’s easy to let negative thoughts creep in and start to bring you down. But if you can learn to control your thoughts and maintain a productive attitude, you can push through even the toughest situations.
William Branum US Navy SEAL Third Phase
Instead of dreading the next evolution or feeling sorry for myself, I started to shift my mindset and look at the challenges as a way to perform better. Our minds have a way of complicating the things we face and creates this overwhelming blockade that we have to tear down, or else we never get anywhere. I started to focus on the most basic actions that required me to forge ahead and eliminate all the shit in my mind that didn’t serve me in the moment. I figured out how to use the pain of all that sucked to motivate me and power my way through and focus on how to win, one evolution at a time. I made the decision not to quit because it wasn’t an option. Ever.
William Branum US Navy SEAL Sniper
I remember one particular evolution during training where we were required to carry the heaviest log in BUD/s named Old Misery. It was grueling, and as we were covered in sand from head to toe, we struggled through the evolution. I chose to focus on the moment and the teamwork that we built. My determination to not fail contributed to us managing through the suck. I pushed through the pain and exhaustion with the rest of the men under that log.
Another important aspect of embracing the suck is recognizing that it’s not just about the individual – it’s about the team. In SEAL training, we were constantly reminded that we were only as strong as our weakest link. If one teammate struggled, we all struggled. If you struggled, you were the cause of everyone else’s struggle. We all had to help each other through it because, in BUD/s, you cannot pass the training on your own merit – no man is an island in BUD/s or on the Teams. It doesn’t matter if you graduated from the Naval Academy or Officer Candidate School. Both enlisted personnel and officers experience the same challenges before graduating and becoming a US Navy SEAL.
William Branum US Navy SEAL BUDs Graduation
This mentality not only helped us build our strong bonds of trust and camaraderie, but it also made us more effective as a small unit tactics a team. The Navy SEAL Brotherhood exists because we face the same challenges, and our collective ability to work together and build the most unbreakable relationships are forged not only by embracing the suck together but achieving results together. We are able to push through even the toughest challenges and come out stronger on the other side. The voluntary drop rate is high for a reason (it’s an equitable training environment) because you need to be more than physically qualified to become a SEAL. Eligible applicants also have to demonstrate the mental toughness to sustain their abilities and achieve mission success in the environment we endure.
So how can you apply the Navy SEAL philosophy of embracing the suck to your own life? Whether you’re facing a difficult work project, a challenging workout, or a personal crisis, the key is approaching it with the attitude and willingness to embrace the difficulty. Instead of focusing on the pain and discomfort, see the challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. If you’re working with a team, make sure you’re supporting each other and working together to overcome the challenge. The toughest challenges often lead to the greatest rewards. By embracing the suck, you’ll not only become a stronger, more resilient person, but you’ll also be able to achieve things you never thought possible.
William Branum US Navy SEAL New York
It was only by facing our weaknesses and overcoming them that we became SEALs. Throughout our careers, we used the same principles in tactical training as we learned in our basic SEAL training to become better and more effective at what we do. The lessons I learned serving in Naval Special Warfare have stayed with me throughout my career and personal life. I believe that the mindset of pushing oneself to the limit and never giving up is a valuable lesson for anyone, regardless of their profession.
