Things You Can Learn From Navy SEALs To Achieve In Life

Odette Odendaal
2 years ago

1. Visualize Success - and overcome failure

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During SEALs training, they undertake an exercise where students are required to complete a series of difficult tasks underwater!  They visualize succeeding and feeling great afterwards.  Visualization can be implemented in anything you want to succeed at.  A positive mind could be the difference between success and failure.
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2. Set And Achieve Goals - even small ones

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SEALs learn to focus on one thing at a time, avoiding any distractions. They do this by determining the overall objective and breaking it down into smaller pieces, then repeating as needed until they reach their goal.  If you have an ambition or goal in mind, don't attack it full on at the start.  Do the homework and learn what's involved and the outcome could be so goodt!

3. Tell Yourself You Can Do It - positive mindset

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Part of SEALs training is that the more they believe they can achieve whatever it is, the more likely they are to able to achieve it.  It can be the same for anyone.  Telling yourself it's only a matter of time and having a positive mindset, can make all the difference.

4. Be Aware - know what's going on around you

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It's drilled into a Navy SEAL that if they want to be in a position to overcome danger, they have to be aware of their surroundings.  How about you?  Do you stare down at your phone when you're walking along or wear your headphones when crossing the road? Either of these two simple actions could have consequences.
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5. Keep Your Mind On The Job - don't be distracted

Image source InsiderWhen a SEAL is away from home, of course he's going to be thinking about his partner and the intimacy he's missing.  He knows he has to put this to the back of his mind in order to undertake his tasks.  It's easy for anyone to get distracted but it's important to keep your mind on your job.  Being conscientious at work may lead to a promotion.

6. Don't Think Of Bad Stuff - before it happens

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A Navy SEAL's first reaction is always to fight.  They won't let themselves think of bad stuff that might happen.  Just like them, if you think something negative or awful might happen, you are wasting your thoughts on something you don't know the outcome of.  It might even not turn out to be that bad.
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7. Find Three Mentors - it could be invaluable

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Image source Military.comSEALs three mentors will be someone they would like to emulate, a peer they think is more proficient at the job than they are and a lower ranking officer who is doing their previous job better than they did it.  Transfer these mentors to your everyday life and you'll keep learning life's lessons and hopefully become a better person.

8. Practice Humility - no one likes a bragger

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Success as a Navy SEAL leader means recognizing that they cannot solve every problem and shouldn't say they will.  They will just do their best.  Humility is a valuable trait to possess.  It makes friends and colleagues warm to you.  If you bragged about your skills or knowledge, you could end up talking to yourself!  Your friends might have disappeared.

9. Do Small Tasks Properly - for a sense of pride

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Doing every task correctly, no matter how small, is second .nature to a Navy SEAL.  When all those little jobs are completed, that makes a big difference.  Everyone should take pride in even everyday tasks, doing them to the best of their ability.  You'll feel good for it

10. Accept What's Happened - easier to handle it

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Military training for Navy SEALS is so intense and they are going to feel discouraged and uncomfortable along the way but it won't stop them carrying on.  Do the same.  If you admit and accept your failings, you won't beat yourself up about them and will learn to handle them.

11. Don't Judge Others - you could be so wrong

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When undertaking their training, Navy SEALs could easily form an opinion about one of their classmates, say, if they are small in height or not as muscular. They soon learn that they are wrong and that person is as strong as an ox, both physically and mentally.  You should never judge 'a book by its cover' in all walks of life.

12. Go Head First - get it done sooner rather than later

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There's going to be many times in a SEALs' career that they have to tackle dangerous tasks. Their motto is that they 'go do it and get it done'.  If you are thinking of putting something off, it's going to be on your mind all the time so follow the SEALs' code and do it!

13. Take On The Sharks - don't shy away

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There will be a time when Navy SEALs have to swim in an area that may have sharks so they learn not to be afraid of them.  This is the story of life.  If you are being bullied, learn to stand up for yourself and take that bully on.  Everyone has inner strength that can be brought out of them.

14. Identify What Matters First - prioritize

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One of the toughest Navy SEALs training tasks involves attacking an enemy ship, swimming 2 miles alone underwater and approaching it from below, all in the pitch black.  The darkest part of the mission is the hardest.  This can relate to all of us.  There will be dark times but by tackling them and prioritizing what is important in keeping you going, can make all the difference.

15. Persevere - don't give up

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One way that SEAL training is much like the rest of the world is that anyone can quit.  They can simply give up by ringing a brass bell in the middle of the compound in front of everyone and then walk away.  Any of us can quit by saying the word and we may then regret it.  Try and give everything a go, out of your comfort zone.  Even if you don't succeed, you will feel mentally stronger.

16. Try And Be Happy - fake it if necessary

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Navy SEALs' training is tough and sadistic and instructors can be as hard as nails.  Morale can get low in camp and this can make every task seem more difficult.  In order to try and rise above those thoughts, they fake being happy and it gets them through.  If you are feeling miserable, sometimes for no good reason, stick a smile on your face and after a while, you might actually start to feel better.

17. Start The Day Efficiently - for better head space

Image source TimeMaking our bed seems like the easiest job to do but if we don’t do the simple things correctly, then what follows might be carried out in a slovenly fashion. Bed making is strictly enforced in the military for this exact reason.  After we all get up in the morning, we look in the mirror and decide how to 'make our lives.'  If we can get the bed part of our day right every morning, then maybe we can get our lives right as well.18. Try And Get On With Others - everyone's differentImage source TomdemerlyGetting along with each other takes time, perseverance and patience - but it's worth it.  Everybody has to make an effort, whether you're a Navy SEAL or an office worker!  Humans are born to be sociable and have companionship, someone to support and someone who supports.  It's a case of the more the better.
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19. Never Stop Giving Feedback - or asking for it

Image source Business InsiderFeedback has been described as 'the breakfast of champions'. Within the SEAL community, feedback is viewed as a precious commodity, for both growth and improvement.  Nobody is perfect or too old to learn new tricks.  If you ask for feedback on anything, even a simple thing like a new recipe you've tried out on the family, what they think will matter to you.  Yu will either improve on it or gain confidence to go for something more intricate in the future.
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20. Forget What's On The Outside - it' what's in the heart

Image source GoBankingRatesEvery person is different, in size, shape, personality and ability.  Most of us have annoying traits and funny ways but what actually makes someone a good person is what is inside - in the heart.  If you're a SEAL, you will do everything to help your crew and if you're a parent, you'll move heaven and earth for your kids.
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21. Having A Bad Day? - there's always tomorrow

Image source Williamette WeekSome days don't turn out as you would have hoped or planned and it can make you feel angry and frustrated.  At that time, nothing else in the world matters apart from this problem, regardless of importance.  Think to tomorrow which is likely to be a much better day and don't dwell.  This goes for everyone.
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22. Do The Best You Can - even if you're in a dark place

Image source FactinateNo one knows when we will take our last breath of life. We may not have SEAL training but what we do have is our values, spirituality and relationships to pull us through these dark moments. Doing the best you can is all that can be expected of you and don't beat yourself up about it.
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23. Speak Up - to make things better

Image source New York Times'Hell Week', the 9th week of McRaven’s SEAL training, consisted of 6 days without sleep, continual physical and mental harassment, as well as a horrendous day at the Mud Flats between San Diego and Tijuana. Speaking up to discuss how to get through it, maybe in a different way, can easily be translated to our lives.  Don't keep quiet if you think you can make a difference.
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24. Hell Week - there's 51 others that could be better

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25. See yourself as your biggest competition - confidence booster

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26. Mind Over Matter - your brain is a powerful tool

Image source ForbesNavy SEALs will undertake exercises that they may feel is beyond them.  Unless they ring the bell and decide to give up, they have to dig deep and put mind over matter.  If we take the same stance as them, we can achieve more than we ever expected to and it can give us extra umph to succeed in the future.
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27. Be A Team Player - many hands make light work!

Image source DistractlyWorking as a team applies to both Navy SEALs and the rest of us.  Integrating, taking both negative and positive comments on board, helps us become more knowledgeable and well rounded.  It also teaches us that we need not keep stuff to ourselves and can ask our own little team for support.
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28. Always ask questions - it's the best solution

Image source ForbesPart of the SEAL mindset is that everyone should adopt the power of the debrief.  You should ask yourself and those around you what you are both doing well and what could be done better. If we do this, we can see things clearer and improve aspects of our life.
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29. Being Busy Doesn't Mean Being Productive - don't faff around

Image source Inc MagazineSEALs create clear plans to reach specific goals and they take great pride in executing those plans.  They don't deviate or go the long way round to achieve them.  If you do the same - sticking to your routine or plan, not making yourself too busy for the sake of it, then it gets done effectively and efficiently.

30. Mental Toughness - as powerful as physical strength

Image source Getty ImagesUnfortunately, we all have to face up to challenges which can drain us emotionally - it's not just the military.  They will grit their teeth and bring out their mental toughness as it's part of their training.  If we do the same in our everyday lives,  it will train our brains to dip into this when we next need it and it will be easier to do the more it is done.
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