ContentsTitlePageCopyrightDedicationTableofContentsQuoteIntroduction:ThisIsUnbeatableMindSection1:UncoverYourWhyChapterOne:TheFirstPremiseChapterTwo:MentalToughnessSection2:DevelopWarriorDisciplineChapterThree:Self-MasteryChapterFour:ThePowerOfServiceSection3:CultivateExcellenceChapterFive:DeepAwarenessChapterSix:TrustAndHumilitySection4:EarnYourTridentEveryDayChapterSeven:SheepdogStrongChapterEight:CriticalSkillsForLeadersSection5:BuildYourTeamAndTakeActionChapterNine:TeamLeadershipChapterTen:TheIntegratedSelfAfterwordTenSecretstoSuccessMarkDivineCourseOfferBonusPreview:FromtheBook—WarriorYoga:ACorePracticeofUnbeatableMindAppendix1:IllustrationsAppendix2:ToolsAppendix3:ReadingList

ForgeResiliencyandMentalToughnesstoSucceedatanEliteLevel–MarkDivine

ThirdEdition,2015

©2011–2015MarkD.Divine

www.unbeatablemind.com

ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.ThisbookcontainsmaterialprotectedunderInternationalandFederalCopyrightLawsandTreaties.Anyunauthorizedreprintoruseofthismaterialisprohibited.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem

withoutexpresswrittenpermissionfromtheauthor/publisher.

Copyright©2015AuthoredByMarkDivineAllrightsreserved.

ISBN:978-0-9861311-0-3

DedicatedtomysonDevon

INTRODUCTION

AFoundationofSilence

Teams'n'Shit

PartTimeSEAL,FullTimeEntrepreneur

YogaJitsu

TheUnbeatableMindRoadMap

SECTION1:UNCOVERYOURWHY

CHAPTERONE:THEFIRSTPREMISE

WininYourMind

EmbracingSacredSilence

TheWitness

StarvingFear,FeedingCourage

ThreePsandYourOneThing

WhatWillYouBeRememberedFor?

CHAPTERTWO:MENTALTOUGHNESS

MakingtheChoice

ManagingStress

UnderstandingStress

Double-BarrelPower:BreathingandConcentration

ConcentrationthroughBreath

BreathControlBasicTraining

BoxBreathing

BigFourofMentalToughness

EmotionalResiliency

TheBigFourofEmotionalResiliency

SECTION2:DEVELOPWARRIORDISCIPLINE

CHAPTERTHREE:SELF-MASTERY

TheFiveMountains

TheDisciplinesoftheWarrior

Simplicity

Dedication

Authenticity

WritingYourOwnScript

CHAPTERFOUR:THEPOWEROFSERVICE

Compassion

Abundance

Generosity

SECTION3:CULTIVATEEXCELLENCE

CHAPTERFIVE:DEEPAWARENESS

Three-SphereAwareness

YourBackgroundofObviousness

AligningwithUniversalLaws

InsightMeditation

Contemplation

Recapitulation

Journaling

CHAPTERSIX:TRUSTANDHUMILITY

Trustworthiness

Leadership

Humility

Responsibility

Determination

Perseverance

TheNavySEALEthos

SECTION4:EARNYOURTRIDENTEVERYDAY

CHAPTERSEVEN:SHEEPDOGSTRONG

TheSheepandtheWolves

Herearesomerulesofengagement

Switchon,SwitchOff

DogTraining

CHAPTEREIGHT:CRITICALSKILLSFORLEADERS

TraintheZooKeeper

ShortcuttheGladwellEffect

UseMentalModels

KISSPlanning

SMARTP-FITSGOALS

SMEACandPROP

OODALoop

VisualizeSuccess

BeaMoraleOfficer

SECTION5:BUILDYOURTEAMANDTAKEACTION

CHAPTERNINE:TEAMLEADERSHIP

PromoteFailureandRiskTaking

ThereIsNoIinTeam

GetReal

FunctionalTeamTraining

MindGamesandChallenges

GototheChallenge

UseStandardOperatingProcedures

KeepItSimple,Again

CHAPTERTEN:THEINTEGRATEDSELF

Single-PointFocus

UncommonResolve

PositivelyOffensiveAttitude

Discernment

ExcellinginChaos

SituationalAwareness

Fortitude

Humility,Revisited

KokoroSpirit

TheFivePlateaus

AFTERWORD

TenSecretstoSuccess

MarkDivine

Testimonials

Offer

AboutTheWayoftheSeal

About8WeekstoSEALFIT

BonusPreview:WarriorYoga

APPENDIX1:ILLUSTRATIONS

Framework

BoxBreathing

TheBig4ofMentalToughness

TheBig4ofEmotionalResiliency

FiveMountainsofSelfMastery

3Spheres

F.I.T.S.

P.R.O.P.

OODALoop

FivePlateausofConsciousness

APPENDIX2:TOOLS

MorningRitual

APPENDIX3:READINGLIST

TheBodyIstheFeelerofEmotionsandSensationsTheMindIstheThinkerofThoughtsTheWitnessIstheObserverofAll

—SenseiShanePhelps

Introduction:ThisIsUnbeatableMindWhenamanisbeaten,tormentedanddefeated…Heisreadytolearnsomething.—Emerson

OvertheyearsIseethesameremarkablesituationandstateofbeing,againandagain,inthethousandswhohavewhohavejoinedmySEALFITandUnbeatableMindPrograms.Theseindividualsareexceptionallyaccomplishedbysociety’sstandards,withfinecareersandamplesuccesstoreportintheirprofessionalandpersonallives.Butfrommydiscussionswiththenewtrainees,it’slongbecomeapparenttomethatregardlessoftheirsuccess,theyfeelstuckinalowgear.Theyfeelincomplete,half-empty,consciousthattheycouldbegivingfarmore,butunabletobreakoutofaningrainedpatternofmediocrity.

Forsomeintheworld,anexistentialthreat,likeafightwithcancer,willshattertheircomplacencyandfreethemfromsucharutontoahigherlevelofthoughtandaction.Butmytraineesdon’twaitforanaccidentoffatetospurtheirchange.Theyseektotakechargeanddrilldownintotheirfullpotentialsothattheyhavethepowertomakeadifferenceintheworld.

Ibetyoufeelthesameway.Thegoodnewsisthatyounowhaveatoolinyourhandsthatwillguideyouforwardinsolvingthisfrustratingpuzzleofthehumanexperience.

The"bigidea"ofthisbookisthatyouarecapableoffarmorethanyouthinkyouare—moreaccomplishment,moreproductivity,moresuccess—butyouhavebeenkeptinthedarkaboutthispotentialyourentirelife.Icallthispotentialyour20XFactor,inthatyouarecapableofacceleratingyoudailyachievementbytwentytimeswhatyourcurrentparadigmallowsyoutobelieveispossible.Itisnotasthoughyourfamily,orourculture,purposelykeptyouinthedarkaboutthisimportantfact.Rather,theywereignorantaboutitaswellandcan'tbeheldtoblame.Wecannotignorethistruthanylonger.Notonlydoyoudeservetounleashyourfullpotentialforyourownsuccessandhappiness,societyneedsyouroptimaloutputtoconfrontthegraveproblemsthatmiremoderncivilization.Theseproblemsareofsuchacomplexanddeep-rootednatureIbelieveourcollectivemindsareneededtosyncuplikeaglobalcrowd-sourcednetworkofsolutionfinderstopullusoutofthemesswehavecreated.Thisbookisn'tanexplorationofthevariousmesses,though—thereareplentyofauthorsreportingabouttheperilswefaceonourabusedplanet.Thisbookisabouthowyoucanbegintoopenachanneltothatvastpotentiallyingdormantinsideofyou—sothatyoucanachieveyourfullestexpressionofyourself,helpthosearoundyou,andsendpositiveripplesthroughouttheworld.

AFoundationofSilenceLetmebackupnowandgiveyouanideaofwhereI’mcomingfromandhowIgothere.Inmyearlychildhood,Ilearnedtofindsolaceinthepeaceandsilenceofnature.Andgrowing

upinthemountainsandvalleysoftheAdirondacksinUpstateNewYork(Upstate,aswecallit,covers95percentoftherealestateofNewYork—theother5percentissqueezedintotheNewYorkMetroarea.),allIhadtodowasstepoutthebackdoortofindit.Myfather'sloveforthetrails,combinedwithmymother'sathleticism,keptusoutdoors.TwiceaweekduringthesummerIwouldfindmyselfnavigatingtheAdirondackpeakswithmydadandBrad,mybrother.Icherishedtheseexpeditions.Theystruckmewithasenseofaweforthenaturalbeautyandexcitementofalwaysfindingsomethingnewaroundthenextbendinthetrail.

Ibecamecomfortablewiththesilence.Ihadnoideaatthetime,butthiswouldprovetobecomeabedrockthemeinmylife.Natureneverarguedwithmeand,aslongasIrespectedher,madeno

significantdemands.OftenIwouldjustsitinabsorption,notthinkingorstrivingforanythinginparticular,andallowthepeacetosettlein.

Onthehomefront,thingswereloudandoftenconfusingasmyparentsfoughtroutinely.ForreasonsIdidnotunderstandatthetime,Iwasshutdownandunsettled,lockedinaprisonconstructedofmyownconflictingemotions.IcravedthecontentmentandconnectionthatIfeltsokeenlywhenaloneinnature,butIhadnoluckfindingitinrelationships.SomyrelationshipwithnaturewasafriendshipIwouldturntooften,throughsolitudeandsilencetuningintothatawesomepower,andIcantellyounowthatthiswasthementorrelationshipthatpreparedmemostforwhatwastobemyfutureasawarrior.

Inhighschool,Imadeletteringinsportsapastimethatcarriedintomycollegeyearsaswell.ThoughIenjoyedthecamaraderieofteamsports,Iwasdrawntothesimplicityandpsychologicalchallengeofenduranceathletics.Endlesslapsinthepoolandrunningtrackwerepredominantlymentalendeavors.ThroughthesesportsIlearnedtheimportanceofproperbreathingandthebasicsofmanagingthemind.MyhighschoolswimtimesearnedmeaslotontheColgateUniversityteam,andoffIwentin1981.

Isettledonamajorineconomics,thinkingthatitwouldhelpwhenIlandedbackatDivineBrothers,Inc.,alegacyfamilybusinessinmanufacturingstartedin1898.Socially,myworldburstwideopenasIbeganaloveaffairwithbeerandwomen(prioritizedinthatorder,it’sfairtomention).Afterasemesterofunhingedcraziness,IknewIneededtosettledownandanchormyselforIwoulddriftoffevenfurther,oraltogetherdrown,soIrecommittedtothedrillIknewbest:natureandsportsTherigorofmydailyschedulekeptmefocusedandlesspronetoparticipateinthenonstopparty.

I’dbylyingifIdidn’tadmitthoseweregreattimes,andIhavesomegreatfriendsfromthatera.However,IwascluelessastowhatIwantedtodowhenIgrewupbesidesthefamilybusiness,whichwasmydefaultplan.AndastothemeasureofwhenIwasgrownup,Iwasrunningoutofroomevenbythemostliberalofdefinitions.Assenioryeargroundtoaclose,though,IfoundmyselfwithauniquejobofferfromaBig8CPAfirminManhattan.Thefirm,Coopers&Lybrand(nowPricewaterhouseCoopers),somehowfigureditasoundinvestmenttosponsormetoattendtheNYUSternSchoolofBusinessaspartofawork-studyprogram.Iwouldworkasanauditorfortwoyears,duringwhichtimeIwouldgetamaster'sandpasstheCPAexam.

SowithinfiveweeksofgraduatingColgate,IfoundmyselfbackinsummerschoolatNYU.Forafewmonths,thenewnessofthechallengemotivatedme,butitwasn'tlongbeforeIdreadedthemonotonyofthe"realworld”.WasthisreallywhatIwasgoingtodofortherestofmylife?Completelyonmyownnow,Iwasoverwroughtastheeducationalbillspiledupandmyoptionsforescapedwindled.IstartedtoopenlyquestionwhetherIhadmadeadisastrousmistakefromwhichtherewasnoturningback.

WalkinghomefromthesubwayoneManhattanevening,IwassnappedoutofthesesortsofdirethoughtswhenIheardspiritedshoutsexplodingfromasecond-floorwindow.Lookingup,Inotedaflagstating"SEIDOKarate,WorldHeadquarters."Interesting.Soundsliketheyarewhippingupastormupthere,Ithought.Icouldn'tresist,soIclimbedthestairsandmetthemanwhowouldbecomemyfirstmentor,whoheldthekeytounlockthedoortomyownUnbeatableMind.

Kaicho(Grandmaster)TadashiNakamurafoundedSeidoKarateintheseventies.HewasbroughttotheUnitedStatesbyMasOyama,thefounderofKyokushinkaikaratetoheadupthetradition’straininginthiscountryasitwasgaininginpopularityandspreadingquickly.Afterafewyears,Nakamurabecamedisenchantedwiththetournamentfightingfocusofthatstyle,desiringtoteachkarateincombinationwithZentrainingtoabroaderbaseofstudents.Hebelievedthattheinnerdevelopmentofthewarriormustparalleltheouterdevelopmentortheartcouldbeusedimproperly.Inessencehefeltthatself-masterywasequallyasimportantasfightingprowess.Thefighting

strategies,tactics,techniques,andphysicalconditioningweremethodsoftheoutertraining,whilemeditation,contemplation,andsilencewerethemethodsofinnerwarriordevelopment.Incidentally,mostmodernmartialartshavelostthissubtleartofwarriordevelopment,aiminginsteadatcompetitionorMMA-styletraining.KaichoNakamura'strainingandmentorshipcausedaparadigmshiftinmyownconsciousness—meetinghimwasawatershedmomentinmylife.MyexperienceoflifeafterSeidowas,well,different.

IreceivedmyShodanblackbeltrankinginNovemberof1989.IalsoreceivedmyCPAandmyMBAcertificatesthesamemonth.ButthemostsignificantthingthathappenedthatNovemberwasthatIhoppedonatraintoNewport,RhodeIsland,tobeginmysecondcareerasanavalofficer.ThementorshipIhadreceivedunderKaichoNakamura'sguidancehadopenedmyvisiontonewavenuesofpossibility,andIchargedaheadononeofthemoreadventurousones—IhadbecomeenchantedwiththeNavySEALs'sirencallto"BeSomeoneSpecial."Inshort,Itookthebait.IntotheNavyIwentin1989andneverlookedback.

Teams'n'ShitItwaslateNovemberwhenIdisembarkedinNewport,RhodeIsland,leavingbehindthesuit,thecorporateworld,andsadly,KaichoNakamura.OfficerCandidateSchool(OCS)wasfourmonthsofmarchingfromoneclasstoanotherinformation,andIguttedthroughit,noproblem.It’sanunderstatementtosaythatthingswouldheatup.InMarch,nowinCoronado,California,IcheckedintoBUD/S,thesixmonthSEALtrainingcourse,forClass171.ItwasaFriday,andIwasinformedmyclasswouldn’tbeginforanother10weeksandthatadifferentclass,170,wasrampingupthatcomingMonday.Iwasdeterminedtogetstartedrightaway,soIwentsearchingforsomeonewhocouldmakeithappen.

MydeterminedsearchhadmesteppingontothedeckoftheCombatTrainingTank(SEAL-speakforswimmingpool)facingthe180panic-strickenlookingstudentsofclass170,lordedoverbyLieutenantRickMayperchedhighonthediveplatform.Theentireclasswentsilentwhenthisnewlymintedofficer(me)enteredtheirspace.

"Whatcanwedoforyou,Enzyme?"wasMay'sresponsetomyinterruption."Sir,Ihaveordersto171butwouldliketoclassupwith170,"Isaidwithasenseofconfidence."OK,that'snotnormal.Provetousthatyouareready:swimfiftymetersunderwaterinyour

bootsandUtes(utilitypants)rightnow,"hesaid.OK,Ithought,thisisgoingtobeinteresting,butit'srightupmyalley.Theseaofcandidatesparted,likelyevaluatingmysanityduringthisbrazenstunt.Istoodatthe

pool'sedge,tookafewdeepbreaths,andjumpedin,bootsandall.Ipulledlikehellagainstthewaterandmadeittotheotherside,andthenIturnedandkickedagainstthewallwithallmymight.Iglidedhalfwayandthenpulledmywaytotheotherside.Gassed,Icouldbarelydragmyselfontothedecktoawaitsentencing.

"SeemeMondaymorning,"Maysaid.Thenhewentbacktohammeringtheclass. OnMondayIclassedupwith170.MayandtheotherSEALinstructorswereadifferent

breedofmenthanIhadeverbeenexposedto.Theirconfidencewasbornnotofcockiness,theviewfromtheirskyscraperofficeorthesizeoftheirpaycheck,butofextremecompetenceanda"beenthere,donethat"airofuntouchability.LegendhaditthatLieutenantMayfracturedhislegonthethirddayofhisHellWeek.Hewasn'tgoingtoletanannoyinglittledetaillikethatsidelinehim,sohecontinuedtorunonituntilhepassedoutfromthepain…aftersecuringfromtrainingondayfive!

PeoplelikeLieutenantMayandLieutenantZinkeweremyheroesandnewmentorsforthenextninemonths.Theynevermessedaround,orwastedtime,preferringtogofromzerotoahundredmilesperhourondayoneandnotthrottlingbackatallfortheduration.Thetrainingstandardskept

gettingharderandfasterwhilethequittinglinegotlonger.Thoseofuswhohadspentseveralyearspreparingandcultivatingourmentaltoughnesswereready.Thosewhohadnot…werenot…anddidn'tsurvive.Ofthe180whostartedinmySEALtrainingclass,only19graduated.IwastheHonorManoftheclass.

ThearduousBUD/StraininghasbeenexposedbymanySEALauthorsandHollywoodmovies,soIwon'treviewthedetailshere.ButIwillsprinkleinafewanecdotalstoriestobackupaprinciplehereandthere.BeforeIgoon,foryouladiesreadingthis,Iwantyoutoknowthatthisbookiseverybitasmuchforyouasitisfortheguys.ThoughtheSEALsandmartialartsaredominatedbyrough-and-tumblemen,Ihavetrainedalongsidemanywomenintheartsand,morerecently,inthedisciplineofAshtangaYoga.InAshtangamostofmypeersarewomen,everyoneofthemasphysicallycapable,ormoreso,thantheirmalecounterparts.TheprinciplesofUnbeatableMindarenotaboutbeinghard-corebutratherabouthowtoperformatyourpeakinanydomain,whetheryouareamom,dad,SEAL,student,orCPA.

AfterBUD/Straining,IwasorderedtojoinSEALTeam3inCoronado.ThereIwasassignedasassistantplatooncommanderofAlphaPlatoonunderLieutenantWashabau.

Washwasanexcellentofficer,andwetrainedtheteamhardfortwelvemonths.WewereslatedtogotoDesertStorm.Wewerejustheadingoutthedoorwhenthewarended,soinsteadwedeployedtothePhilippines.Inthe"PI"weconductedamissionconfusinglycalled"ForeignInternalDefense"(FIDwasatermusedtodescribeUSSpecialOperationsForcestrainingaforeignforcefortheirinternaldefenseneeds)andotherspecialreconnaissancemissions.FIDhadustrainanumberofnavalspecialopsforcesintheAsianrimforthepurposeofbilateralrelations,pointofpresence,culturalawareness,andintelligence.

Ireallyenjoyedthesemissions,thoughtheypaledincomparisontothehard-coredirectactionmissionsseenbytheSEALssince9/11.MostofallIlovedworkingwithAlphaPlatoonandSEALTeam3,servingthereforclosetofiveyears.Theworkwasfast-paced,extremelychallenging,andrewarding.Someofthestoriesthatcameoutofthatperiodareoutrageouslyfunnyandmind-blowing.Wechalkedallthoseexperiencesuptowhatwecalled"teams'n'shit."MostSEALswhostickaroundformorethanasingletourhaveasetofcrazyseastoriestotellduetothenatureoftheteamandthemissionstakenon.

In1995myPlatoonCommanderTourST-3wascutshort,andIwasassignedtoSEALDeliveryVehicleTeam1inHawaii.IalsogotmarriedtoaCoronadogirlnamedSandy.Learninghowtodriveandnavigatetheminisubswasalmostasfunaslearninghowtonavigateamarriage!WhenIcheckedintotheteaminsteadofgoingintoanotheroperatingplatoon,IwasslottedtoheadupaspecialprojectthattookmebacktoSouthKorea.

Atthispointinmyactive-dutySEALcareer,Ifeltpulledinoppositedirections.Mywifewasnotthrilledaboutthemassiveamountoftravel,andIdidnotwanttobeawayfromherforelevenmonthsoutoftheyear.IcertainlyunderstoodthetravelneedswhenIgotmarried,butIwasn'tpreparedfortheemotionalchallengetheypresented.Manypeopledealtwiththisbytreatingtheirmarriagelikeabusinessarrangement—itdidn'tbotherthem,andtheyenjoyedbeingaway.I,ontheotherhand,didn'tlikeitonebit.Iworriedthatthemarriagewouldn'tsurvivethestressofconstantdeployment.Inretrospect,IthinkthatbecauseIhadsuchadifficulttimeconnectingwhenIwasyounger,whenIfinallyfoundaheartconnectionwithawoman,Ididn'twanttoblowit.ThereforeImadethedifficultandlife-changingdecisiontoleavetheactivedutyandtransfertotheSEALReserves.

PartTimeSEAL,FullTimeEntrepreneurTheReservesleftmewithmorefreetimethanI’dhadinmylifesincecollege,soIstartedto

divertmyenergytosomethingnew.InAprilof1996,Ipairedupwithmybrother-in-lawtolaunchtheCoronadoBrewingCompany(CBC).ItwasonlythethirdbrewerytoopeninSanDiegoearlyinthetrend,andthebusinessisthrivingtothisday.SincethatfatefuldecisionIhavelaunchedfivemoresuccessfulbusinesses,includingNavySEALs.com,Inasoft,USTactical,USCrossFit,andSEALFIT.Whilebusyasanentrepreneur,IalsoservedatReserveSEALTeams1,3,and17,aswellasNavalSpecialWarfareGroupONEandSpecialOperationsCommandPacific.Iwasmobilizedforone-yearactivedutystintstwice,onetimetoBahrainandAfricaandtheothertoIraq.ThereIranaspecialprojectwithST-1tostudywhethertheMarineCorpsshouldbecomepartofthespecialopscommunity.IwasalsohiredasanadjunctprofessorofleadershipattheUniversityofSanDiegoandhelpedlaunchanentrepreneurialleadershipinstitutethere.Iwasverybusy,butagainIfeltlikesomethingwasmissing,justasIhadbackinmypre-SEALdays.

IthoughtbackthroughtheyearsanditwasplaintomeIwashappiestandmostsuccessfulwhenIwasactivelyengagedindailycomprehensivetraining.Withsuchaheavyfocusonbusinessforthelastseveralyearsofmylife,I’dshiftedawayfromtheintegraltrainingapproachthathadgivenmesomuch.Sure,I’dworkout3-4timesaweek,butnotasintenselyorholisticallyasIhadwhentrainingwithSeidoKarateortheSEALs.AlsoIdidn’thaveateamtotrainwith,whichmakesabigdifferenceinaccountability.Mylifehadbecomeallwork,andmoreimportantly,justaboutgettingthingsdone.Therewasscantattentionpaidtophysicaltrainingormentalperformance,andnofocusongrowthanddevelopment.ForasecondtimeIwasfacedwiththeprospectofaslideintophysicalandmentalmediocrity,andIdecidedIwouldfindaway,ormakeaway,totrainlikeIhadintheTeamsandatSeidotenyearsearlier.

YogaJitsuIn1999IessentiallystumbleduponSaitoNinjitsuandAshtangaYogaandtookthembothup.

Throughmyninjitsutraining,Iwasabletotapintothephysicalityandrawwarriorspiritofthemartialartsagain.Itwasliberating.ButitwasthroughtheeightlimbsofAshtangaYogathatIfinallyunderstoodwhatittooktomovefrombeingawarriorathleteandleadertobecomingametaphoricalwarriormonk.Yogaturnedmeinsideout,slowedmedownandfirmlyplantedameditativepracticebackintomylife.ItwastheperfectcomplementtothehardphysicaltrainingthatIwassoaccustomedto.

Yogareinforcedthenotionthatdailytrainingandpracticewasmoreimportantthananyspecificteacherorskill.Thejourneyofdiscipliningand“yoking”(thewordYogameanstoyoke)thebody,mind,andspirittostillitselfandfocusonhigher-ordernotionsofbeingandlivingisoneofthegreatsecretstopersonaldevelopment.Justasthebodywillatrophywithoutconstanttraining,themindandspiritwillnotdevelop,andwillatrophy,withoutasimilarfocus.

IbegantoexperimentbycombiningCrossFit,NinjitsuandAshtangatechniquesintomytrainingregimen.Ifoundeachtoberichandrewarding,butalonetheydidnotmeetmywarriordevelopmentgoals.CrossFitlackedtheinnerdevelopment,Ninjitsulackedthefunctionalfitnessandmeditation,andyogalackedthestrength,stamina,workcapacity,andendurancetrainingIdesired.SoIcobbledtogetheraprogramwithallthree,butIfounditdifficulttohandlethree$150monthlytrainingmembershipsandjuggletheschedules.Soin2006IfinallydecidedIwouldfigureoutawaytointegratethebestofeachsystemintoonetrainingmodel.Theresult,launchedin2007,wasSEALFIT.

Thetrainingworkedverywell.Infactitwassofun,effective,andupliftingthatby2014SEALFITwasknownworldwideforourwarriordevelopmenttraining.AlongthewayIhadbecomearecognizedmentaltoughnessexpert.AllofthiscamefrommydesiretosharewithothersthepowerfultrainingprogramIoriginallydesignedformyselfthatintegratedthemostpowerful

elementsofphysical,mental,emotional,intuitional,andspiritualtrainingIcouldfind.

TheUnbeatableMindRoadMapSinceleavingtheactivedutySEALsin1996,Ihavewatchedhowbusinessandlifehavebecome

somuchfaster,morecomplex,andmoreaggressive.TherulesthatIknewthenhavebeenshatteredbytheInternetandthediffusionoftechnology—forcesthathaveseemedtoflattentheworldandincreasedthevelocityoftime.Entireculturesthatwereonceisolatedarenowconnectedviamobiledevices,andvaluesareexperiencingunprecedentedratesofcollisionwithdifferingviewpointsandideas.ThebusinesslandscapenowhasthelookandfeelofenemyterritoryonaclandestineSEALmission.YouandImustdevelopfresh,innovativemethodsandbeliefstoeffectivelydealwiththisstarknewreality.

Einsteinsaidthatyoucan'tsolveaproblemfromwithinthesameparadigmtheproblemoriginated.InUnbeatableMindIofferanewmodelofpersonalenrichmentthatwillenableyourelevationtowhatIcallthe“FifthPlateau”ofconsciousness.Thisisachievedbytrainingandintegratingfivekeylinesofhumandevelopment,whichIcallthe“fivemountains.”Theyareyourphysical,emotional,mental,intuitional,andspiritualintelligences.Thisparadigmincludeslearninghowtoavoiddamagingpsychologicalloopsandtraps,developingnewpatternsofthinkingthatarepositiveandsupercharged,andworkingfromthe"we"perspectiveratherthanyournarrow"I"perspective.Whenwecanaccomplishthesethingstogether,evenonasmallscale,notonlywillweforgeourindividualbody-mind-spirits,butwewillprotectandbetterourchildren'sfuture.UltimatelyUnbeatableMindisaboutdevelopingyourpersonalpowerfullysoyoucanbemoresuccessfulinyourjob,career,andlifeandthenuseyourgrowingpowertohelpguideyourtribes,organizations,andthehumanracetoabetterplace.Self-mastery,thenservice.Soundslofty,right?Ifyouareonboardwiththisvision,thenlet'sgetbusylearninghowtoforgeyourUnbeatableMind!

Section1:FindYourPositiveFocusThefirststepistolearnhowtofocusyourmindtoconcentrateonanobject,idea,ortaskof

yourchoice.Theundisciplinedmindcanunravelyou,wreakinghavoconyourplansandaspirations.TheBuddhistscalledthischaoticstateyour"monkeymind."Themonkeymindisyourenemy.Thedisciplinedmind,ontheotherhand,isyourcalm,clear,steadyally,readytolendahandwhenyouneedit.

Onceweawakenandenhanceourcapacitytofocus,thenwecanexaminethequalityofthecontentinourminds.Andthat’swhenwecometothestingingrealizationthatsomeofthestorieswe’vebeenbuyingintoareverynegative,oratbestsimplymaynotbetherightstoriesforus.Nowwebegintounderstand—withoutthetoolsinplacetoprotectourselves—theeasewithwhichwecanbeinfluencedbythoughtsrootedinfear,destructivefeelings,andcounter-productiveexternalinfluences.Negativityderailsperformance,soit’simperativethatyouareabletocontrolyourfocusandshiftawayfromtheseinfluences.Rootingoutnegativeemotions,beliefs,andbehaviorsthatwillholdyoubackcantakeconsiderabletimeandeffort.Thisstepiswheremanyfalloffthepath,buttheprocessofdevelopingmentalcontrolisessentialbeforeyoucanmoveontoSection2.Evenslightprogressinthisstepleadstoaradicalshiftinawarenessandgrowth.

Butwhatexactlyarewefocusingon?SEALsdon’ttakeontwenty-fivemissionsatatime—theyhavemaybefivemissionsthatthey’retrainingforandonlyonecentraltotheirfocus.Theycanthereforeensureexcellenceatallfiveandsuccessintheonecritical“now”mission.I’llshowyouhowtodeterminewhatyou’refocusingyoureffortsonandhowtomaintainthatfocuspositively.

Section2:DevelopWarrior-likeDiscipline

Forourpurposes,“UnbeatableMind”isn’tjustatooloraquality…it’salsoarobusttrainingprogram.Irunthisprogramprimarilyonlinewithvideos,webinars,emails,supportforums,andmore.Butifyou’rereadingthisbook,youcanalsocreateyourowntrainingprogramusingtheprinciplesandtechniquesIwillteachyou.

Agoodtrainingprogram,whetheryouareseekingtoelevateyourconsciousnessorbecomephysicallystronger,requirescommitmenttodailyeffort.Consistencyistheomnipotentforcebehindchange.We’vegottohaveaplanandwe’vegottohaveanobjectivetoaccomplishthroughaseriesofspecifictargets.Yourobjectiveinthisstepistocultivateastateofself-mastery.Therootof“discipline”istobeadiscipletosomethinghigherthanourselves—inthiscase,toelevatetheimportanceofyourhumandevelopmenttothesamestatusaseatingorsleeping.Thisisabsolutelycritical.

Thewarriordoesn’tliveinthepastorthefuture.Thewarriorlivesinthepresent.Hefulfillshispurposeeveryday.Thepredawnofeachdaymustbeembracedwiththesamehighenergyanduncompromisingeffort.Eachdecisioncounts.Assumingyoudonotstray,thatyoupracticeandmasterthevirtueofconsistency,youwillfindtherewardstobemonumental,perhapsevenshocking,andyouwillpushthroughtoSection3.

Section3:CultivateExcellenceTherearealotofcommonwaystothinkaboutalotofcommonthings.Butawarriordoesn’t

docommon.Tothewarrior,satisfactionwithmediocrityisasunacceptableasitisunsettlingtoimagine.Thisstepbuildsonthefirsttwointhat,withyourpositivefocusanddeepeningstateofself-mastery,you’renowactivelyhuntingforwaystouncovervirtuosityinseeminglycommontasks.Ifyou’respending60minutesinaworkout,howcanyousqueezemorebenefitoutofthecracksthatcanbefoundinthatsinglehour?Ifyou’regivingaspeech,whatenhancedtechnique,approach,orpreparationcanyouusetoconnectwithandimpactmorepeopleinamorepowerfulway?Thewarriorasksthesequestionsandthenchasesdownthoseskillsinordertocultivateexcellence.Excellencebecomesbothanidealandabreath-and-bloodhabit,andunderneathitall,itcomesdowntochoice.

Thatchoiceistoslowdownenoughtopayattentiontothedetails.Thisiswherewefindtheopportunitytodothingsalittlebitdifferently,andbealittlebitspecial.

Section4:EarnYourTridentDailyBythetimeyou’vereachedSection4,it’stimetobringallofyournewskillsandvirtuesto

bearwhentravelingthispathwithotherpeople.UnbeatableMindtraineesknowtheycan’tmakemajorchangehappenintheworldorintheirlivesalone—sothisiswherewestarttolookmorespecificallyathowtostepupasaleaderyourteamcanfollowwithfaithandconfidence.Andyouwilllearnfromyourteamaswell.Butfirst,youmustproveyourselfworthyofleadership.IntheSEALs,theTridentisagoldemblemawardedatthecompletionofanarduousyear-longtrainingprogramthatonlytheverybestofeachclasscompletetoearntheirplaceasalegendarySEAL.Itsymbolizesanenormousrightofpassageintoaspecialbrotherhoodbearingastrongsenseofduty,professionalismandservice.YoulikelyhavesymbolicTridentsinyourlifeandit'skeytorememberthattheTridentisearned,butcanalsobetakenaway.ASEALlearnsthathisactionsdeterminewhetherhegetstokeephisTrident.Ithastobeearnedaneweachandeveryday.

Howdoesthistranslateforyou?Itmeansyoucannolongerrelyonthesuccessesachievedyesterday.Yesterdayisgone.It’sover.Tomorrowishopefullygoingtocome,buttherearenoabsoluteguaranteesthere.Soguesswhat?It’sallabouttoday.Today’swhereyouneedtotargetyourthoughtsandenergy.Today’swherethere’srespecttoearn,trainingtoaccomplish,andmoneyto

make.You’vegottoshowupandputin110%today,go100mph,toprovetoyourteamthatyou’rethereforthemandthatyoucanbereliedupon.EarningyourTridentdailydemandsyoumovebeyondself-masteryanddiscipline,thoughthosepracticesarenonnegotiableprerequisitestothisstep.EarningyourTridentdailymeansyourfocusstaysonyourroleaspartoftheteam,onhowyoucanserveyourteam,onhowyoucanleadyourselfandyourteamtosuccess.Iftheyseeyourfocussliptowhat’sbestforyouinstead,theirtrustinyouwillerode,andyou’llnotonlyfindyourselfoutofaleadershiprolebutmaybeevenofftheteamentirely.

Section5:BuildYourTeamandTakeActionYouundoubtablyfiguredoutI’mabigproponentofyoga,butthoughUnbeatableMindis

influencedbythewarriorrootsofyoga,itisorientedtowardactionandnotjustaboutyourpersonalgrowth.Howyougrowasanindividualisonlyrelevantifyoucanbuildateamand,together,dogreatandworthythingsintheworld.That’sthepoint.Sodiscoveringwhatyouwanttoaccomplishandhowareyougoingtodoitiskey.Buttooperateatthehighestlevels,youwillneedtorecruit,train,andmotivateakick-assteam.Inthisfinalstepoftheprocess,youwilllearntheimportanceofworkingwithlike-mindedteammatestoalignwithyourvisionandhelpyouwinyourmissions,everytime.

Besidesthefactthatyoucanonlyachievegreatthingswithanunbeatableteamsupportingyou,there’salesserknownbutequallyimportantsecrettosuccessthatIwillexploreinthisstep:TheteamistheultimatecrucibleforyourmasteryofallfivestepsthatenablesthepeakcapacityofoperatingontheFifthPlateauofconsciousness.Itistogetherthatyouwillachievethiselitebrandofintegrationandvirtuosity.

Thereisalotofnuancepackedintothissimplifiedfive-stepprocess.Wewillcoveritallinthisbook.Letmeclosethischapterbysayingthatyouarenotaloneonthisnewjourney—therearemany

whoarefollowingtheUnbeatableMindprescription,includingathletes,executives,moms,dads,teens,martialartists,yogapractitioners,andspiritualseekers.Thisbookwillprovidethebasicphilosophyandtoolstoallowyoutowininyourmind,forgegrit,anddevelopanoffensiveattitude.Itwillhelpyoutotrainyourselfandyourteamtopeakperformance,and,moreimportantly,toleadwithyourheartandmindmergedinaction.Iencourageyoutoenjoythejourneyratherthanfocusonthedestination.Foreverymountainyouclimbandplateauyourestat,therewillbeanotherandmoreinterestingviewahead.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:UnbeatableMindFramework

Section1:UncoverYourWhy

ChapterOne:TheFirstPremiseVictoriouswarriorswinfirstandthengotowar,whiledefeatedwarriorsgotowarfirstandthenseek

towin.—SunTzu

AmonthbeforeItestedformyblackbeltinSeidoKarate,Iembarkedonafinaltune-upretreatattheZenMountainMonasteryinWoodstock,NY,wheretheSeidoteamgatheredacoupleoftimesayear.OurschedulehaduspracticingthephysicalaspectsofkarateandthementalaspectsofZeninaveryyin-yangfashion:Twohoursofmeditationfollowedbytwohoursofkaratetraining,twiceaday.Thefirstmorning,asItookmyseatonthelittlebench(whichwassupposedtotakethepressureoffourkneesandallowustokeepourbacksstraight),Isnuckapeekaround.Atthemonasterythatwasgenerousenoughtoallowustosharetheirspace,mostoftheirstudentsweremonksinresidence.Ifyoucouldimaginewhataprofessionalmeditatorlookslike,theywereinthatroom.Ifeltlikeanintruderandwonderediftheycouldsensethecharlatanintheroom.Afterabouttenminutesoftryingtofocusonmybreathing,countingeachinhaleandexhale,Iwasexhausted,andmybackhurtlikehell.Whydidthissucksomuch?WherewasthepeaceandblissIwasexpecting?Whowouldhavethoughtthatdoingnothingcouldbesoacutelypainfulandhard?

Tryharder,Itoldmyself:Concentrateonthatspotinfrontofyou.IgottothecountoftwobutrealizedIwasthinkingaboutbreakfast.Backtozero.ThenextdeterminedattemptImadeittothecountofthreebutwasvaguelyawarethatinthebackofmymindIwasfantasizingaboutagirlIhadmetthepreviousweekend.That’snotmeditating,Iconfessedtomyself.Backtozeroagain.

Theexperiencewasareal"eye-opener,"anditwasn'tmythirdeyethatwasopening.Icouldbarelymakeittenminutesbeforemymind,likeamonkeyfranticallygraspingforabanana,wouldraceoffinanotherdirection.Icalledit"concentrationcamp"becausewewereinstructedtoconcentrateonthecounting,anditsurefeltlikeamentalprisoncell."Justsitandcountyourbreath,"instructedDaido,theheadmonk."Whenthemindwanders,bringitbacktothebreath.Don'tbeatyourselfup;lifeistooshort."Oddly,lifeneverfeltlonger…Iwasusedtothingsbeingeasyandcouldn'thelpbeatingmyselfupforsuckingsomuchataskillthatIhadimaginedwouldbeaseasyasstretchingoutinahammock.

Despitemyclumsiness,Ibegantoregisterasurprisingchange.EventhoughIkeptfeelinglikeameditativefailure,InoticedthemoreIdidit,thebetterIfelt.Maybe,Iconsidered,thistypeofinternalworkdidn'trequiretheaggressivegoalorientationofmyschoolsports’trainingorthegeneralWesternmind-setthatdrovemethroughmyworkasaCPA.Maybetherewasno"there"there.WhatIultimatelydiscoveredwasthatevenifIsuckedatsittinginsilence,itworkeditsmagicanyhow.Iwascirclingbacktoanotherpartofmypast:ThesilenceofthebenchwasnotmuchdifferentthanthesilenceofnatureIhadenjoyedinmyyouth.Whatasimpleyetprofounddiscovery!

ThemajorlessonIgainedfrommyjourneyintoZen,onethatIwishtosharewithyounow,wasthatIcouldgaincontrolovermymind—ifIconsistentlypracticed,practicedholdingatrue,completestateofsilenceinthemind..Whenyouachievethisplaceofsilence,onlythencanyouwitnessthemindinaction.Indoingsoyoubegintoseparateyouridentityfrom"thethoughts"andgetacquaintedwiththatpartofyouwatchingthethoughts.Thatspacebetweenthethoughtandthewatcher—yourwitness—iswherethemagicis.Absentthatspace,effortstodevelopconcentration,confidence,creativity,andspiritfalllightyearsshort.

You,too,mustlearntoapproachmentaltrainingwithoutgoalorientation.Bepatient,andexpecttheunexpected.

Later,asmytwenty-yearSEALcareerunfolded,IsoughttounderstandthoseseedsthatKaichoNakamurahadplantedduringthoseformativeyearsinNewYorkCity.Inotedthatduringlong

traininghikesandnumbinglylongdives,mymindbegantodropintothesamemeditativestateIhadexperiencedontheZenbench.Hourswouldslipbyasacalmnessandsenseofconfidencepenetratedmyawareness.Whenacrisishit,ratherthantryandintellectualizeorinstantlythinkuparoutethroughtheproblem,Ilearnedtofeelmywaythroughcrisismoments.I’dobservedhowexcessivethinkingandanalysisparalysishadbeenresponsibleforinjuriesanddeaths.Ichoseinsteadtosurrendertomyintuitionandseekpresenceinplaceofconstantrationalization.OvertimeIbecamevividlyawareofwhatwastranspiringinandaroundme.Thispresentmomentmind-setcenteredmyrationalmindwithinevenmorecontrolandallowedforcreativitytoflow.Theseexperiencespiquedmyinterestintrainingtheinnerskillsevenmore.Iwondered:

HowcouldIdeepenmyintuition?CouldIlearntoactivatethatpreciousflowstateatwill?CouldIintentionallyslowdowntimeandensureIwascalminthemidstofacrisis?How were deep breathing, internal visualization, positivity, and effective planning practiceslinked?Whatimpactdidthesetoolshaveforlong-termgoalactualizationversusspotperformances?HowcouldIdevelopmycreativity?Whatwerethelimitstomyperformanceasahuman?

In2006,IwashiredbythenavytotrainandmentorallSEALcandidatesnationwide(aninvitationthatlaunchedmythirdbusiness,USTactical).Thisprogramwasthedriverbehindmycreatinganintegratedtrainingprogramandofferingittothepublic.Thattrainingbecamethepetridishfordevelopingtheprinciplesdiscussedinthesepages.ThatiswhereIdevelopedthetacticsbehindtheFirstPremise.

WininYourMindSEALsoperateatanelitelevelbecausetheyknowhowtodisciplinetheirmindsandsecurethe

wininternallybeforetheyenterthefight.ThisiswhatIcallTheFirstPremise,andwemustfirstgointothebellyofthisbeasttotacklehowtodevelopmentalcontrol.Youdon'thavetimeortheluxurytojoinamonasteryorspendtwentyyearsasaSEALasIdid(unlessthatisyourgoal,ofcourse!).Formanyofyou,itwillbethefirsttimeyouhavebeenchallengedtothinkaboutthemindinthewayIwillpresenthere.Staywithme,andtrustthatwhatIamofferingworks.Afteryouestablishafoundationformentalcontrol,thenyoucanmoveontomore"practical"conceptsintheensuingchapters.

Butwheredowestartifourmindsarelikerunawayfreighttrains?Formostofus,sittinginsilentmeditationcanseemimpossible.Withgreatintentionswegiveitatrybutareimmediatelyfrustratedbythebusynessandrandomnessofourmentalmachinations.Attemptstosettlethemindbyjustsittingandtryingnottothinkcanleadtofrustrationandfailure.AsateenagerIdidTranscendentalMeditation™(TM)withmydadforafewdays.Sittinginanice,comfortablechair,Itriedlikehelltofocusontheirmantra.Mymindconspiredtoturnthiseffortintoadisaster,asafterseveralsecondsmyinnerdialoguestartedchatteringlikeaschoolgirlaboutanythingandeverything:What'sfordinner?Gottagomowthelawn.WishIhadn'tsaidthattoSally.Boy,Ihavealotofhomeworktodo.WhattheheckamIdoingthisforanyway?Thissucks…Ihavetoomuchtodo…I'moutofhere!

Theonlyconsolationprizewasthatmydadfailedmiserably,too.Webothgaveitup.OnlylaterwithNakamura,didIcometounderstandhowwearebredtoidentifywithourthoughts.Thisisthecriticalproblem.Wefindmeaningbyconstantlythinkingofourbody,beliefs,successes,failures,

rules,androlesinlife.Wehavefewmechanismstoshuttheselinesofthoughtdownexceptforsleep.Asweageandfurtherempowertherationalmind,thehumblewitnessweakensinitsshadow.

Wearerarely,ifever,encouragedtospendtimeinsilenceorgettoknowthedepthofourcharacter.Allthewhileoursoulscryoutforattention.Butcontrollingourthoughtscanseemcounterintuitive.Afterall,aren'tthey—ourthoughts—us?Headingdownthispathcanbeterrifying.Whatwouldyoubecomeifyoudisassociatedfromyourthoughts?Fear,frustration,andtimedemandssidetrackmanyofusfromthispenetratingbrandofsilence,andwequitbeforeweexperiencethesurrender.

Ifthishasbeenyourexperience,pleaseknowthatyouaren'talone.Mymessagetoyouisthis:forgetaboutthepastandthefailedefforts.Takethismomenttoformallyandforeverletgoandgiveyourselfafreshstart.NowistheonlytimethatmattersGettingtotheterrainofeliteperformersdemandsattainingaccesstothe90percentorsoofthevastmentalpowerthatliesbeyondtherational,thinkingpartofyourmind.

Let'sbreakthisdownanddiscusshowtogoaboutaccomplishingit.

EmbracingSacredSilenceMostmeditationpractices(aswiththeTMandZen)comefromaculturewearenotfamiliar

with.TheyaredifficultforthecontemporaryWesternertowraptheirsteel-trapheadsaround.Tosolvethischallenge,Ioffersomesimpleguidedvisualizationsthatfocusandclearthemindquickly.Oneiscalled,"TheFishBowl"andtheother,"StillWaterRunsDeep."Bothofthemcanbeusedasajumping-offpointformentalcontrol.IwilldescribetheFishBowltechniquehere.("StillWaterRunsDeep"isdescribedinmybookTheWayoftheSEAL,andallthepracticesinthisbookhavewrittenandvideodescriptionsintheonlineUnbeatableMindAcademy).

FishBowlandStillWateraresuper-effectivebecauseyouarecombiningconcentration,awareness,andguidedvisualizationintoonepowerfulpractice.Butthereareothertoolsyoucanuseaswell.Youcanjustsitandobserveyourbreathgoinginandout.Don'tforcethings;justobservethebreathandanythoughtsthatarise.Anotherisaconcentrationpractice,suchastheZenmeditationIdescribedearlier,whereyouwillcounteachbreathcycle,tryingtogettoten,whilewatchingforanyerrantthoughts.Iftheyarise,younotethem,releasethem,andgobacktozerotocountthebreathagain.Wanttogoevensimpler?Spendingtimeinnatureisanothergreatwaytostillyourmind.Ifyouareanathlete,youcanpracticeonlongenduranceruns,swims,orhikes.

PreparingforMeditationFindacomfortableplacetositinachair,onacushion,oronastool.Thekeyistokeepyour

spinestraightandtoavoiddiscomfortthatwilldisruptyourmind.Beginthepracticebyclosingyoureyesandscanningyourbodyfromtoestohead.Thisisasensitivityawarenessdrillthatcanalsobedoneasastand-aloneawarenessdeepeningexercise.Itwillbringyourmentalattentiontopartsofyourbody,oneatatime.Asyoumoveupyourbody,lingerforabreathateachofthesixenergycenters(knownaschakrasinyoga),andimagineaglowingwhitelightateach.Theyare,inorder:

1. Root:locatedatthebaseofyourspine.2. Sacral:locatedaboutthreeinchesabovetherootinyourlowerabdomen,belowthenavel,near

thespine.3. SolarPlexus:locatedjustbelowtheribcage,nearthespine.4. Heart:locatedbehindtheheartinthecenterofthechest,nearthespine.5. Throat:locatedinthethroatbehindtheAdam'sapple.6. Brow:inthecenterofyourbrowbutacoupleinchesbehind(alsocalled"thirdeye").

Whenyougetdonewiththatintro,expandyourawarenessallaroundyouforafewmoments.Trytosensetheenergyaroundyouandinsideofyouandtofeelconnectedtoit.Ifyourmindwandersduringthisphase,don'tsweatit…justbringitbacktofeelthebodyandthespacearoundyou.

TheFishBowlOK,nowyouarereadytoclearyourmindcompletelyusingthefishbowltechnique.Inyour

mind,imagineyourskullasafishbowlandyourthoughtsarethecloudy,murkywater(nottoofarfromthetruth,Imightadd!).Yourbreathingisthefilter.Eachdeepbreathyoutakeinandoutisacleansingbreaththatbeginstoclearthemurkywaterofyourmind.Youbegintosensethewaterofyourmindgettingcleanerandclearerasyoubreathe.Aftertenbreathsitismostlyclean;aftertwentyitisaspureasanaturalspringonasunnyday.Asyouimaginetheclarityofyourmind,yourealizethatwhatyouarewitnessingisa"nomind"state.Inthisstateyourmindisunspoiledbythinking.Youmaintainthatstateaslongasyoucan.Ifyoustartthinkingagain,yourfishbowlgetsdirtyandyoucanrecommittocleaningit.

TheWitnessHaveyoueverbeenknee-deepinanargumentwhenyousuddenlyhadtheexperienceofseparatingfromthedialogueandwatchingtheabsurdityofwhatyouandtheotherpersonweredoing?YoumayhavebrokenoutlaughingasyouinstantaneouslyshiftedfromidentifyingwiththethoughtsandwordsspewingoutofyourmouthtowhatIcallyourwitness.

Thisisaveryliberatingmoment.Theabilitytogaindistancefromyourownthoughtsallowsyoutoseparateyourselffromthem.Letmesaythatagainadifferentway:Themoreyouconnectwithyourwitness,themoreyouunderstandthatyouarenotyourthoughts.Thisseparationcreatesspaceforpositivitytoflowin,releasingyoufromtheshacklesofnaturalnegativity.

Perhapsyou’venoticedthatwhenweget"stuckinourheads"wetendtoslideintonegativity.Wejudge,getemotionallyattachedtoouropinions,areimpressedwithourbrilliance,andtendtoshutothersout.Inthesemomentswemakelousyteammatesandtendtosabotagesuccess.Negativitydestroysperformanceintheshorttermandprecludessuccessandhappinessinthelongterm.

Whyisitsonaturalforustobesonegative?Itturnsoutthatforsurvival'ssake,ourrational,thinkingmindiswiredwithabiasfornegativity.Itmustdecideandactonlife-threateninginfluencesdaily,anditisconditionedtobepessimisticandscaredasaresultofthebarrageofnegativeinfluences(WewillgetmoreintojusthowthemindworksinChapter8).Thisisn’tsomenewfangledtheory;NativeAmericaneldershavelongrecognizedthistruth,sayingthatawolfoffearresidesinourmindsreadytopounceattheslightestdanger.

Butwhatwe’redoingnowisbringingtolifeourfacilitytorecognizethatthewitnessisalwaysthere,too.Youhavetoslowdownandtakeastepoutsideoftheconstant“doing”natureofmodernlifetoconnectwithit,toopenupaspacebetweenourdeep,ingrainedfearresponsesandpatternsandourtrue,authenticself.TheZentraditiontalksabout“polishingthemirror”toexplainthisphenomenon.Imagineyouregomindtobelikeamirror.Negativity,falsestories,fear…thesethingscloudthemirror,makingitdifficulttoseeyourselfandrealitywithaccuracy.Asyoupracticeconnectingwithyourwitness,you’repolishingyourmirrorandactivelytrainingyourskilltoseeclearly.You’regettingintouchwiththepositiveaspectsofyouregoinsteadofthenegative.Youareenactinganewphaseofevolutiontowardyourfullesthumanexpression,awayfromtheanimalistic,reactionarynatureofourhardscrabblepast.

Whenyoufirstbegintostillyourmindandacknowledgeyourwitness,youwillnotice,maybeforthefirsttime,howhabituallyyouharbornegative,weakthoughts.Onceyouseethis,youdiscover

oneofthepowerfulgiftsofthewitness:Younowhaveachoicetochangethesethoughtsimmediately.Youcanalsorelyonyourwitnessduringconversation,orduringanaction,todetectapatternofnegativethoughtswhentheyfirststartcreepingin.Thetrickistouseawarenessofnegativethoughtasastimulustosoftlyredirectthemindintotherealmofpositivethoughtandperformance.

SEALsaretrainedtoberock-steady,butIamnostrangertothetwindemonsofnegativethoughtsandfeelings.WhenIcheckedintoSEALBUD/SClass170,mynervesweresizzling.Icouldfeeltheadrenalinepulsethroughmyarteries.Themagnitudeoftheinstructorsflared—theyhadasuperhumanqualityandthestudentswerelikefreaked-outcarpenterantsfranticallytryingnottobecrushed.Myclasshad180trainees,andthestreamofnegativechatterintheirmindswasexpressedintheanxietyriddlingtheirfaces.Iwaspickingupalotofitmyself.Isensedthetensioninmystomachasfearanddreadsettledintotheclass.Ibegantotalktomyself:"What'sup?Ihavetrainedhard.I’vemadeitthisfar.Manyhavegonebeforemeandmadeit.Iftheydidit,socanI.Quittingisnotanoption.Theywillhavetokillmetogetmetoquit!"

AsIsaidthosewordstomyself,Ifeltthefearmeltawayandthefirepowerofcouragereplaceit.Ihadappliedthesimpletechniqueofbeingawitnesstotheflowandcontentofmythoughtsandfeelings,andthen,whennegativethoughtsbegantoseepin,Itooktheactiontoredirect.Iintentionallytunedmyattentiontoapositivefrequency.

StarvingFear,FeedingCourageAsIsaidearlier,negativityerodesperformance,soitisimperativetoretraintheunderlying

patternandmaneuverfromwitnessingnegativethoughtstostarvingthosethoughtsintooblivion.Thenstartinwiththepositive,courage-buildingthoughts.OrastheNativeAmericansmightsaywithavividmetaphoricalpunch,youneedtostarvethefearwolfandfeedthecouragewolf.

ThisisthespecificprocessIuseandhavetaughtthroughmyvarioustrainingprograms:

1. Witnessnegativity.2. Interdict,orstop,thenegativethoughtswithapowerstatement.3. Redirect yourmindwith self-talk and imagery to somethingpositive andproductive for your

currentgoal.4. Maintainyournewmentalstatewithajingleormantra.

Interdictionpowerstatementsarewordsthatshockyourmonkeymindbackintocontrol.Wordslike“no”or‘stop”workwell,thoughIpreferusingpositivepowerstatements,onesthathavealittlemoreblasttothem,suchas"I'vegotthis,""pieceofcake,""stepitup,Mark,"ormyfavorite,"feedthecouragewolf!"Youwillwanttodevelopapowerstatement,onewithsomeshockforcetoit,thatresonateswithyou.Thenpracticeusingitdaily.Practicingpowerstatementsuntiltheybecomesecondnaturewill,overtime,placetheinterdictionprocessonauto-pilot.Juiced-uppowerstatementsexplodenegativementalchatterandallowyourmindtostillitselfandawaititsnextsetofinstructions.

Powerstatementstemporarilyinterdictnegativethoughtsbutdon'tensuretheywillstayawayforever.Negativitywilllikelyreturnunlessyouredirectyourmindtoanew,positivethoughtpattern.Essentiallyyoumusthaveacontingencyplantopreventbackslide.IseethiswithKokoroCamptraineesallthetime.WhenInoteastudentgoingnegative,mystaffandIwilldoaninterdictionforhimorher."Whatwolfareyoufeeding,Joe?Feedthecouragewolf!"Theinterdictiontemporarilystopsthestudentinhisorhertracksasheorshenotesthenegativestateandthedegradationofperformancecausedbyit.Thestudenthasamomentofpresenceandchoiceforanewdirection,a

positiveone.Butifheorshelacksasolidredirectstrategy,heorshewillrevertbacktothenegativerut.

Thesecretforasuccessfulredirectistoinjectanewpositivethoughtpatternintoyourstilledmindthatalignswithyourimmediategoal.Youwillinfusethesenewthoughtswithpositiveimageryandfeelings.Youwillkeepyourmindfocusedonthenewinternaldialogue,imagery,andfeelingsuntilyouarewellintopositiveterrain.WhatI’mreferringtoiscreatingandusingajingleormantra.

Thejingleisasong,rhyme,orsayingthatispositivelychargedandhasastrongmeaningtoyou.Thejingleislikebackgroundmusicthatkeepsnegativityatbaybyengagingyourconsciousmindinitspositivewords,images,feelings,andmeaning.Imustreiteratethatthesecodedmessagesmustbechargedwithmeaningbeyondtheirsimplewords.Forexample,thejingle"Everyday,ineveryway,I'mgettingbetterandbetter"wascoinedbytheFrenchdoctorÉmileCoué.Thismanwasahundredyearsbeforehistimeandwasabletohealhispatientsbyhavingthemchangenegativethinkingandemotionalstates.Theychangedtopositivebysayingandbelievingthatonestatement.Iuseitdailymyself,alongwithacoupleothers.

Withpracticeyourjinglewillruninthebackgroundofyourmindwithlittleornoprodding.Itwon'tpreventyoufromusingyourmindforproblemsolving;rather,itislikethegatekeeperforyourwitness,everpresenttowardoffnegativity.Yourmindremainsundercontrolandunfetteredbythoughtsorbeliefsthatsapyourenergyanddegradeyourperformance.

Typicallytheentirefour-stepprocessisdoneinaninstant.Asanexample,sometimesduringmySEALFITdailytrainingwithmyteamIfinditnecessarytoshoutaverbalinterdiction,followedbyredirectinstructions,whenIwitnessthewholeteamsufferingfromadefeatistattitude."Hooyah,team;wegotthis.Focusonthenextround…seeithappening…let'scrushthis."Instructionstothiseffectshocktheteamoutoftheirslumpandgetthemfocusedonanew,positivedirection.

Combinedwithregularmeditativework,youshouldexperienceimmediateresultswiththispowerfulmentalcontrolprocess.However,pleasedon'tbediscouragedifyoufeellikeitistakingtoomuchtimeforthingstoshiftforyou.Likethepracticeofsilence,youaremakingprogressjustbypayingattentiontothisvitalskill.Myrecommendationistosettleintoyoursilencepractice(whetheryouuseFishBowlorsomethingsimpler,rememberthepointistocreatearitualistic,regimentedpractice,notjusttogoforanaturewalkeveryonceinawhile)forafewweeksandthenimplementthefour-stepprocessofWitness,Interdict,Redirect,andMaintaintosetthestageformentaltoughness.

ThreePsandYourOneThingInthenextchapterwe’lltalkaboutusingyournewpositivefocusskillstodevelopmental

toughness,whichinturnprovidesthefoundationyouneedforeverythingelseittakestoforgeanunbeatablemind.Butfirst,aquestion:Doyouknowwhereyou’reheaded?Putanotherway,whatisit,exactly,thatyouwantoutofyourbrieftimehereonEarth?

WhenIwasyoungerIwasagreatdaydreamer,butifyouhadaskedmetodescribewhatmyfuturelookedlike,whatmypurposewas,whatmyprincipleswere,orwhatIwassupposedtodoaboutitall,Iwouldhavereturnedtoyouapuzzled,blankstare.Tobefair,mostpeoplearenotveryclearonanyofthateither.Inretrospect,thelackofawarenessinmyyouthcausedmemuchhand-wringingandlosttime.Ioftenwonderhowmanypeopleareinthesameboat.Whataboutthoseintheirforties,fifties,andlaterinlifelackingtheclarityIspeakof?Theinabilitytoseeandarticulateafuturefullofpurpose,passion,andprincipleswascuredbymydeepinsightandcontemplationwithintheZentrainingIwasfortunateenoughtoreceivewithKaichoNakamura.Yourswillbecuredbydoingtheworkinthischapter.

Ibelieveitiscrucialtobeself-awareenoughtobeabletoarticulateourThreePsandOneThing.Let'slookatthesebyaskingafewquestions:

1. WhatamIPassionateaboutandhowcanIdomoreofthat?2. WhatdoIvalue,andhowcanIdevelopthesePrinciplessotheydefinemycharacterfortherest

ofmylife?3. WhatismyPurpose?WhoamIandwhatamIherefor?WhatistheOneThingIamsupposedto

accomplishinmylife,andwhatdoesthatmeanformerightnow?Thatis,whatistoday'sOneThingconnectedtomybigOneThing?

4. HowdoItakemyOneThingandactivateitintheworld?

Masteryovertheself—akeycharacteristicofthosewithanunbeatablemind—issomewhatdifficultifyoudon'thaveclarityonthesequestions.Ifyoudon'tknowyourself,whatareyousupposedtodobesidesjustgetby?Lackofmeaningandpurposeisamajorcauseofdespairanddespondencyintheworld.Somewillstumbleuponavaguesenseofpurposeintheirprofessionallives.Othershavetheirpurposeshowntothemearlyinlifeandarewellintofulfillingitintheirtwenties.Ihavefoundthatthevastmajorityofmystudentscannotclearlyarticulatetheirpurposeandaredeeplymovedwhentheyuncoverit.

Let'sstepbackandtakealookatyourOneThing.Itishighlylikelythatyouhaveasenseofyourownuniqueness,thataspectofyouthatsetsyouapartfromothers.ThisuniquenessiscodedintoyourDNAand,Ibelieve,putthereaspartofyoursoul'syokingtoyourphysicalbody.Regardlessofyourphilosophicalorreligiousorientation,youmaysensethatyoursoulwhisperstoyourmindyourdeepestyearningsandhaspropelledyouinsurprisingdirectionsinlife.Ifyouignoredthewhispersinthepast,myguessisthatyoufeltoutofsortsandmisaligned,likeIfeltasaCPAinmyearlytwenties.ListeningtoyourinnervoicewillhelpyoudefineyourThreePsandleadyoutoyourOneThing.Thenyoucanaligntheminyouractionsandmarchforthwithconfidenceandpeaceofmind.

OneofthefinestwaystocultivateinsighttoyourThreePsandOneThingistheaforementionedinsightmeditation,contemplation,andjournaling.You’vealreadybeenintroducedtosomemethodsforstillingyourmonkeymindandcreatingspaceforinsightandguidancetoarise.Now,youwillstarttouncoveryourThreePsandOneThingbyaskingdeeplypersonalquestionsinlayers.Thisislikenedtocleaninglayersofdustoffamirrorinyourmindtorevealtherealimagebeneath.

DefiningYourThreePsandYourOneThingThesearegoodlayeredquestionstoreflectuponandjournalaboutaspartofyourprocessfor

definingyourpassion,principles,andpurpose,whichinturnleadyoutoyourOneThing:

YourPassion:

Whatareyoupassionateaboutinawaythatdefineswhoyouare?Whatmakeyoufeelasifyourhairisonfire(besidesafire)?Whatuniqueskillsortalentsdoyouhavethatyoulovetouseandthatmakeyoufeeldifferent?Ifyouwonthelotterytoday,whatwouldyoudodifferently?

YourPrinciples:

Whatisitthatyoutrulyvalueinyourlife?Howcanyoumovetowardthosethingsyoutrulyvalueandawayfromthethingsyoudon'tvalueasmuch?Whatdothesevaluessayaboutwhatyouarepassionateabout?Dothesevaluespointtoanoverarchingpurposeinlife?Canyoumakeahabitofthebig,positivevaluessotheybecomepartofyourcharacterandthenyourdestiny?

YourOneThingandPurpose:

Whathaveyoubeenconditionedtothinkyouaresupposedtodowithyourlife?Whatdoyouthinkyouarereallysupposedtodowithyourlife?Whatdoyoufeelyouarereallysupposedtodowithyourlife?Isthereatinyvoiceofdoubtdeepwithinyousuggestingyouareonthewrongtrack?Isthatsamevoicenudgingyouforwardwiththesensationthatyouareontherighttrack?WhatOneThingdoyouthinkyouareherefor?WhatOneThingwouldyoufocusonifyouhadnothingholdingyouback?Whatwouldyoudodifferentlyifyouknewyouhadoneyeartolive?

Lookinginwardandwritingdownwhatcomesupinafree-flowingmannergetsyouintoanidealstatefortheintuitiveandcreativeaspectsofyourmindtobeheard.Youwilltrainyourmindtoentertheseintuitivestatesondemand,andasyoudosoyourinsightswilldeepenevenfurther.

OnceyoucanclearlyarticulateyourThreePsandyourOneThing,writethemdowninaplacewhereyoucanreviewthemdaily(mineareinmysmartphonenotepad).

WhatWillYouBeRememberedFor?WhenAlfredNobelreadanobituaryoneday,hewasn’tthrilledwithwhathesaw.Itwaswritten

abouthim!Ofcourse,itwasamistakemadebyareporterafterhistwinbrotherpassedaway.ThereporterberatedAlfredintheobituaryasthemanwhointroduceddynamitetowarfare,leadingtomillionsofdeathsinWorldWarI.Appalled,AlfredusedthiseventtofindanewpurposeandOneThingforhislife…whichwenowknowwasthefoundingoftheNobelPeacePrize.

Yournextassignmentistowriteapersonalobituaryasyouwanttoberemembered,notasyouarenow.Imaginethatyouareagreatfriendwritingtheobituarywho"knew"themajorimpactyouhadonothersandontheworld,aswellasallthegoodthingsaboutyou.Thismaybeuncomfortableatfirst,butfocusingonyourlegacycanbeveryenlightening.Itwillexposethegapbetweenwhereyouarenowandwhereyoucanbeattheendofyourlife…ifyoualignwithyourThreePsandyourOneThing.

Don'tblowofftheobituaryexercise;itisverypowerful.Ifwritingyourobituaryseemsoverwhelming,startsmaller:WriteyourepitaphfromtheperspectiveofhavingfulfilledyourOneThingandlivedyourpurposeinlife.

ChapterTwo:MentalToughnessThefirstsecrettomentaltoughness,assimpleasitmaysound,istorecognizeandembracethepower

ofchoiceandhowthatpowercanshapeourlives.—MarkDivine

OftenIseepeoplewithgreatmindsandalltherightstuffforsuccesstorpedothemselvesontheone-yardline.Theydothisbecausetheylackthefundamentaltoolsformentaltoughness.Asmentalcontrolisthestartingpoint,mentaltoughnessiswhatseesyouthroughtothefinish.SointhischapterIwillsharethreeofmytopsecretsofmentaltoughness.

MakingtheChoicePriortostartingyourjourneytoanUnbeatableMind,thingsseemedtojusthappentoyou.Life

wasrandom,andyouoftenfeltoutofcontrol,becauseitwas,andyouwere.Nowthatyouarelearninghowtocontrolyourmind,youarebackinthedriver'sseat.Youwillbeabletocreateexactlywhatyoudesireandavoidwhatyouneedto.Youarewritingthescriptofyourownmasterpiece…yourlife.

Andthatlife,yourentirelife,ismadeupofthousandsofsmalldecisionsmadeeveryday.Wetendtofocusonthefewbigchoiceswhenwereflectonourlifeexperience.Someofthecommonbiggies:Whereyougotocollege,amarriagepartner,acareerchoice,whereyoudecidetolive,whatyoudowhenyouretire.Butthinkaboutit:Isn'tittruethatthebigchoices,thelife-alteringones,areavailableonlyasaresultofallthesmallchoicesyoumadeuptothatpoint?

Let’sconsiderthecollegeexampleinfinerdetail.Perhapsasakidyouchosetoembraceschoolratherthanresistit.Yousoughttolearn,didyourhomework,andgotdecentgrades.Thedailycommitmentledtoachoicetogotoatopuniversity.Alternatively,maybeyouchosetoresistschoolandhaveanegativeattitudeaboutbeingforcedtositinclassesyouhadnointerestin.Then,asyouapproachedtheendoftheprocess,youhadadifferentsetofchoices—suchastodropoutorfinishandscratchsomethingoutfromthebottomoftheladderinaminimumwagejob,orgotoacommunitycollegetoplaycatchup.Verylittlehadtodowithyourgeneralintelligenceoraptitude.Yetithadeverythingtodowiththecountless,indiscriminatechoicesmadethroughoutanaveragedaythatnarrowedopportunities.Ultimately,thecollectivevalueofthesmallchoicesdefinethebigchoiceswemake,impactingtherestofourlives.

Considerthis:Inyourformativeyearsyouchosetoembracefitnessandgoodnutrition.Everydayyouaskedyourselfwhetherthisfoodorthisactionwouldmakeyouhealthierorlesshealthy.Youmadeahabitoftrainingyourbodyandeatingwell.Then,inyourmid-twenties,youdecidedthatyourlifewascallingyoutobeaNavySEAL.BecauseyourchoicestothatpointwereinalignmentwiththebigchoiceofbecomingaSEAL,yousailedthroughtheprogram.Thealternateuniverseisobvious,andIdon'tneedtodescribewhathappenstothevastmajorityofpeoplewhomake"lessgood"smallchoicesintheareaoffitnessandnutrition.Ourhealthcare,medical,andinsuranceindustriesaretrillion-dollarindustriesasaresultofseveralgenerationsofpeoplechronicallymakingpoordecisionsinmattersofnutrition,healthandwellness.

OK,sowhereamIgoingwiththis?It’ssimple:successisdefinedbychoice,andit’sthesmallchoices,notthemajorones,thatmakethedifferencebetweengoodandexcellent.

Thefirstsecrettomentaltoughness,assimpleasitmaysound,istorecognizeandembracethepowerofchoiceandhowthatpowercanshapeourlives.Andperhapsoneofthebiggestchoicesyoumustlearntomakeishowyouthinkofanddealwithstress.

ManagingStressForty-ninehoursandforty-fiveminutesintoKokoroCamp7,theinstructorsdescendedonthe

trainees,somewhowesensedhadheldbackduringthearduousweekend.TheSEALcoachesarelookingnotforsuperhumaneffortbutratherforsuperdeterminationandafire-in-the-bellyattitudetowardchallenge.KokoroCampisavoluntaryevent,sowedon'tdropathletesunlesstheyareadangertothemselvesorwillholdtheclassback.Typicallyeventhosewhooptoutaretransformedbythetotalityoftheexperience.Butit’sourjobtohelpourtraineesdiscoverthataspectofthemselvesthatholdsthembackfromgreatness,andtogivethemthetoolsandtheexperienceofbreakingthroughtothenextstageoftheirdevelopment.Thatrequiresustopushtheminallkindsofways.

Thatdaywewereonthevergeofsecuringtheclasswhensomeunspokenurgestruckustopressharder.Weratcheteduptheintensitylevelandputtheclassunderawholenewlevelofmentalduressanduncertainty.Theyhadthoughttherewereonlyafewminutesleftandthatiftheycouldendureforty-ninehoursandforty-fiveminutesofpressure,theycoulddealwithafewmoremomentsofduress.Butweturneduptheheat.Weconvincedthegroupweweregoingforanotherfewhoursuntiltheyfinallygotitright.Tooursurprise,oneofthetraineesupandquit.Thenewstresshadunhingedhim,andhesteppedasideandsaidhewasdone,gameover.

Thechoicewassimplytokeepgoingashehadforthelastforty-ninehoursandfifty-fiveminutes,or,alternatively,togiveuponachallengehehaduptothatmomentfoughthardtocomplete.Wesecuredtheclassasplannedafewmomentslater,andhewatchedinstunneddisappointmentfromthesideline.

Stressissooftencitedasthecauseforpoorhealth,breakdowns,andlackofsuccess.Theprevailingviewinsocietyisthatstressactsonyouinsidiouslyandyouareitshelplessvictim.Howoftendoyouthinkthesethoughts,orsaythemoutloud?

"Iamsostressedout."“Ican’ttakethisstressforonemoreminute.”"Thisjobiskillingme.""Ineeda[fillinyourfavoritevicehere,drink,smoke,etc]."

It’samyththatstressisyourproblem.Yourrealproblemisbelievingthatstressisthesourceofallyourwoes.Inmyearlytwenties,Iwasthere,Iknowwhatthisislikeandhowitfeels,andIknowhoweasyitistofallintothistrap.Nowthatyouunderstandthatyourmindcanbeeitherafeistyfiendorfriendlyally,youcanseethathowwereacttostressisactuallyastorywetellourselves.Changethestory,andyouwillchangehowstressorsaffectyouandyourlife.Tochangeourstoryaboutstress,let'susetheprocesswelearnedinthelastchapter:

1. Step1istowitnesstheadversestressorasitimpactsyouandbeginstoaffectyourpsychologyandphysiology.

2. Step2istointerdicttheresponsetothestress.3. Step 3 is to redirect your psychology and physiology to counter the impact of the stress and

transmuteittopositiveperformance.4. Step4 is tousebreathingandconcentration techniques tomaintainperformanceandeliminate

thestressfromyourmind,body,andlife.

Withthisprocessyoutakebackcontrolandmovefromstresstosuccess!Stressisneithergoodnorbad—itjustiswhatitis—butitgetsabadrap.Mostfolksthinkthat

thesecrettohealthandhappinessistoeliminateoravoidstress.Thereareamillioncoursesouttherethatproposetoeliminatefinancialstress,workstress,relationshipstress,everythingstress.Goodluckwiththat.Itislikepeeingintothewind.Everyonefacesamassiveamountofstresseveryday,buthewhomanagesstresswellistheonewhowins.Thefour-stepprocessabovewillworkwhetherwearetalkingaboutaone-timeacutestress,likeinacrisis,orlong-termchronicstress,suchasthecrushingloadofcommitments.

Incidentally,themainstressexperiencedinourlivesistimestress,anditisentirelyself-induced.Afterall,isn'ttimealsoastoryandsocialconstructthatallowsustoorganizesociallife?Redefiningyourstoriedrelationshipwithtimewillreduceabigsourceofstressinyourlife.Takeonfewercommitments,focusmorepositiveenergyontheworthycommitments(thatarealignedwithyourpurpose),andwatchyourperformanceskyrocket.

UnderstandingStressStressissimplyatermforresistanceorpressure.Weneedtheseforcestogrowashumans.

Let'susestrengthtrainingasanexample.Weightintroducesanexternalresistancestresstoourbodieswhenweattempttomanipulateit.Thechallengerequiresustolearnanewskillandthendevelopthemuscularstrengthandstaminatoliftandmovetheloadsafely.Toaccomplishthisthebodymustbreakdownoldtissuesthatwereprogrammedforthepreviousskilllevelandloadandbuildnewtissuesprogrammedwiththenewreality(weightlimitsandskill).

Mostpeopledon'treacttothatformofstressnegatively—infactscientistsevengivethattypeofstressatitle:"eustress."Eustressisgoodstress,butinrealityitishowwementallyframeandhandlethestressthatisgood,notthestressitself.Thestressjust"is."Backtothestorieswetellourselves.Thestorythatstressisbadisnotagoodone.Stressisstress.Howwelearntorespondtostressanduseittogrowisthebetterstory.

Whenstressisnotintentionallyinvited,weconsideritdistress.Again,thestressitselfisn'tbad;itisourrelationshipwithitthatcausesustolabelitandexperienceitas"distress"ratherthan"eustress."Howwedealwiththestimulusisinfluencedbyfactorssuchasexpectation,fatigue,preparation,andresiliency.Whenwedon'texpectthestress,arefatigued,aren'tpreparedtohandleitwell,andlackresiliency(theabilitytobouncebackfromstressquicklyandstrongerthanbefore),thenthestresswilladverselyimpactperformance.

Here’showthisallworks:Ourbrainsarewiredtoprocessincominginformationthroughtheamygdala,locatedinthetemporallobesofthebrain.Theinformationisscreenedforthreatsandopportunities.Withinthisscreening,theamygdalainterpretsmanymoderninfluencesasthreats.Thepressureofaworkdeadline,forexample,isidentifiedasadanger,eventhoughamodern-daycontraption,suchaPowerPointpresentationbeingdueonThursday,isajokecomparedtobeingchasedbyacavelionlikeourancestors.Whenathreatisdetected,theamygdalainitiatesthecommonlyknown"fight,flight,orfreeze"response(alsocalledthehyperarousalandacutestressresponse),whichinturnactivatethehypothalamic,pituitaryandadrenalglandsthatflooduswithadrenalineandcortisol.Theseleadtothefamiliarphysiologicaleffectssuchas:

ElevatedheartrateIncreasedbloodpressureRapidbreathingBoostofenergy

Eachsymptompreparesbothmindandbodyfortheinevitablereactiontotheimposingthreat.You’rechargedupandreadytoeitherlauncharighthookorsprintdownthestreet.Keepinginmind

thatwedeterminehowstressisviewedthroughthestorieswetellourselves,considerthebenefitsofthestressresponsewhenviewedpositively.Thephysiologicalchangesgivethebodyincreasedstrengthandspeedinanticipationoffightingorrunning.Howeverpositivestresscanbeasatoolforgrowth,itisnotagoodideatoexposeourselvestoittoooften.Thefight-or-flightresponseisanadaptivereaction,andextensiveincreasesinstresscancauseavarietyofnegativephysiologicalandpsychologicaleffects.Prolongedstressresponsesmayalsoresultinchronicsuppressionoftheimmunesystem,leavingthebodyopentoinfections.Interestingly,thereisashortboostoftheimmunesystemimmediatelyafterthefight-or-flightresponsehasbeenactivated.Thismayhavefilledanancientneedtofighttheinfectionsinawoundthatonemayhavereceivedduringaconfrontationwithapredator.

Thesesamesymptomscanresultfrompost-traumaticstressandpanicdisorder,inwhichthestressresponseisactivatedbymemoryofaneventand—orinadditionto—acatastrophicmisinterpretationofbodilysensations.

Double-BarrelPower:BreathingandConcentrationTheSEALDeliveryVehicle(SDV)wascruisingalongatadepthoftwenty-fivefeetbelowthe

surfaceofthewatersoffOahu,Hawaii.Iwasinthenavigatorseat;themoreexperiencedenlistedSEALwaspiloting.Weweretwohoursintoafive-hourdivemissionwhenithappened.Watergushedaroundmyfaceandfilledmywraparoundbreathingapparatus.Icouldbreathebutwasblindanddisoriented.Ifumbledthroughthestandardoperatingprocedures,theSOPs,toclearthemask,buttonoavail.Thefacemasksealhadrupturedandwasuseless.Ireachedformybackupmask,butitwasnowheretobefound.Dang—somehowIhadlostitoninsertion.Iimmediatelyunderstoodwhattheold-timersmeantwhentheysaid,"twoisone;oneisnone"whenitcametoequipment.NowIwasuselessasanavigator,yettherewasnoturningaroundorabortingthemission.SoforthenextthreehoursIdealtwiththemiseryofafloodedfacemaskandofbeingabystanderinthemissionastheotherSEALtookovernavigationaswellasthepilotingjob.

Aftertheinitialfearandfrustrationworeoff,Isettledinforthelonganduncomfortableride.Iknewthattheonlywaytogetthroughitwastogobacktomytraining.SoIslowedmybreathingdownandbegantoholdmybreathattheinhaleandexhale.Ialsostartedtoconcentratemyminddeeplyonthebreathingcyclewhilerepeatingapositivemantra,whichfurtherallowedmeconcentrateonmaintainingapositiveattitude.IwasjustgettinggoodatallthiswhensuddenlytheSDVcametoahalt,andIgotasqueezefromthepilot.Ithoughtwehadaproblem,buthesignaledmetoexittheSDV.Tomysurprisewehadarrivedatourdestination!Threehourshadpassedinwhatfeltlikeforty-fiveminutes.Ratherthanastressfulandmiserablethreehours,Iactuallyfeltapeaceofmindduringthedeepbreathingandconcentrationexercise.Itwasanotherpowerfulanchoringexperienceforjusthowvaluabletheskillsare.

Withoutthebreathingandconcentrationskills,Icouldhavepanickedandcompromisedthemission.Atminimum,Iwouldhavebeenconsumedwiththetortureofnotbeingabletosee.Throughmyowntrainingandbyhelpingthousandsofspecialoperationscandidates,Ihavefoundthatstressiseasilymanagedthroughbreathingandconcentrationtools.Yogapractitionershaveusedbreathingandconcentrationtechniquesforthousandsofyearstodissipatestress,developoptimalhealth,anddrivetowardspiritualadvancement.Breathingisfreemedicine,andthedailypracticeofbreathcontrolleadstooptimalhealthandalongerlife.Breathingtechniqueshavebeenpartofmydailyregimenforoverfifteenyears,andtheimpacthasbeenextraordinary.

Don’twaitforacrisistogetstarted.Insteadlearntobreatheandconcentrateproperlynow.It’sanaccessibletechniquethatleadstotruementaltoughness.

ConcentrationthroughBreathWeallunderstandwhatitmeanstoconcentrate,butcanwereallyconcentratewithenoughdepth

thatalldistractionsareeliminated?CanweconcentrateonourOneThing—themostimportantthing—forlongenoughperiodsoftimetogetthejobdone?Canwedoitwithahair-on-fireintensity?Deep,long,unbroken,andinspiredconcentrationisahallmarkskillofsuper-successfulpeople.Yettheonlywaytoimproveconcentrationisbypracticingconcentration.

Therearemanywaystopracticeconcentration;infactwehavediscussedafewalready.Theguidedvisualizationdrillsintroducedinthefirstchapterareconcentrationpractices,asisthebasicZenpractice.Anyendeavorwhereyoutakededicatedtimetofocusonaverynarrowrangeofthings,orjustonething,canbeclassifiedasconcentrationpractice.MostofwhatpassesformeditationintheWesttodayisactuallyaconcentrationpractice.TheconcentrationpracticesthatIuseincludeBoxBreathing,yoga,Qigong,andmindgames.

LetmenowdescribeabreathcontrolpracticethatIhavedubbed“BoxBreathing.”Boxbreathingisnamedafteritsbox-likeratioofinhale,retention,exhaleandsuspension(moreonthatlater).Thisismysecretweapon.Itissimple,safeandextremelyeffectiveatcreatingabalanced,energizedstate,andcalm,focusedmind.Asofthiswriting,breathcontrolformentaldevelopmentisnottaughtintheWestbeyondaverysmallgroupofauthenticYogaprofessionals.Oneofmymentors,GaryKraftsow,founderoftheAmericanViniYogaInstitute,isonesuchprofessional.ThoughIhadbeendoingsomeformofbreathcontrolsincemydaysswimmingcompetitively,sittingontheZenbenchandondivemissionswiththeSEALs,itwasGarywhotaughtmethesciencebehindhowtointegratebreathworkintoyogatraining,andbyextension,intoanyphysicaltrainingprogram.Someofthemanybenefits,whenpracticedconsistentlyoveraperiodoftime,arelistedbelow.Forourpurposeshere,whenyoupracticecontrollingyourbreath,youareabletocalmyourthoughts,slowyourheartrate,andregulateyourautonomousnervoussystem.Thisremovesyourinternalresponsetostressasasourceoffurtherconcentration-bustingagitation.Youcan’tthinkclearlywithamindthat’sgoingofflikeaslotmachine.Oddlyenough,itistheminditselfthatcompoundstheproblem.Ifwecouldcontrolourmentalresponsetostress,discomfortorpain,thenourabilitytostayinthegameandleadourteamtovictoryisgreatlyenhanced.Boxbreathingisouranswer.

InSection1welookedcloselyathowtomaintainyourpositivefocus.Atooltoenablethisfocusistousebreathawarenesstostillyourmind.Developingfocusandconcentrationarecloselyrelated,thoughthemechanicsareslightlydifferent.Themindstilledinmeditationhasdifferentqualitiesthantheunfettered,focusedmindabletozeroinonasolutionandpounce.Bothmentalstatesareimportantforthewarriorandleader.Whenwebeginaconcentrationpractice,ourgoalistobeabletosustainfocusononethingwithoutdistraction.Breathingproperlyslowseverythingdownsothatyoucanconcentrateonafixedpoint,anddosoforalongerperiodoftime.Whenyou’reabletoconcentrateonasinglething—therightthing—atatime,itsignificantlyreducesyourstressandincreasesyoursenseofinternalcontrol.Younowhavethepowertodirectwhatyourmindispayingattentiontoandtosustainthatattention,leavingworries,fears,andother“threats”outsidethenarrowscopeofyourconcentration.

Overtimeyouwillexpandyourfocussoyouareawareofallthatisgoingonaroundyou,andinyou,whileyouconcentrateonthatonethingwithoutdistraction.Concentratinglikealaserbeamonatask,whilesimultaneouslyscanninginsideandaroundyouisanadvancedskillthathasgreatbenefitforauthenticleading,communications,andcreativework.We’lltakeacloserlookatthebenefitsofexpandingyourawarenessinChapterFive.

Overtimeadditionalbenefitswillaccruefrommasteringyourbreathinganddeepeningyourpowersofconcentration.Youwillbeabletolearnnewandimportantthingsveryfast,andyouwillbe

abletopenetrateyourowninnernaturetounderstandgreatertruthsaboutourlives,humannature,andthenaturalworldingeneral.Theyogissaythatwithenoughdeepconcentrationonecanknowthenatureofallthings,allwisdom.Let'ssettleforthepracticalbenefitsofcontrolledbreathingandimprovedconcentration,suchas:

Improveyourhealthandsenseofwell-beingIncreaseyourintelligenceDevelopemotionalawarenessEnhanceyourmentalcontrolBecomealeaderwhoisnotfazedinacrisisBeamorepersistentandpositiveproblemsolverFinisheverythingyoustart,assumingyoudeemitisworthyofyourtimeandfocusBethego-toguyorgirltosolveinterpersonalconflictsFeelmoreconfident,withhigherself-esteemGainmoreinsightandself-knowledge,yieldinghumilityandgrace

Thistypeofinnertrainingrequiresdailyeffort.Thegoodnewsisthatyoucandoenjoyablethingstodeepenconcentration,suchasthesimpletechniqueofBoxBreathing,selectyogaposesandsequences,andevenreading.Further,thebetteryouget,theeasieritisto"practice"concentrationinotherareassuchasinphysicaltrainingsessionsorwhenplayingasport.

Inahigh-pressurecrunchsituation,IrecommendyouputyourconcentrationonbreathmanagementasIdidintheearlierSDVstory,whilemaintainingrelaxedawarenessofyoursurroundings.Breathingdeeplyandequalizingthedurationoftheinhaleandexhalewillgreatlyreducestress,slowyourheartrateandbringyournervoussystembackintobalance.Themindwillremainfocusedasyourbodycomesbackintobalance.Thenyoucanconcentrateonthesituationathandinordertomakebetterdecisionsinthemidstofthechaos,danger,orthedebilitatingeffectoffear.ThisiswhybreathawarenessandcontroliscriticaltrainingforUnbeatableMindstudentswhopushtheenvelopephysically,butitisalsoequallyeffectivetoenhanceperformanceintheboardroom,performingsurgery,presentingakeynote,orleadinganimportantmeeting.ThelevelofcontroloveryourphysiologyandpsychologyIamtalkingaboutmustbepracticedandhabituateduntilitbecomesaroutineskill.

BreathControlBasicTrainingLetsbeginourbasictraining.First,it’simportanttounderstandthatproperbreathingworkson

threelevelsinourbodies.Itenhancesourlungcapacityandbreathingmusculature,strengthensourimmunesystemandregulatesourneuroendocrinesystem.Second,itchargesandbalancesourenergeticbodyintoastateofinvigoratedhealth..Theenergeticbodyisthatsystemofenergeticpathwaysthatincludeschannelsoneachsideofthespine.Thesepathwaystransmitenergyupanddownthespine(nadis)andpointswheretheenergychannelsintersectastheyspiralbackandfortharoundthespine(chakras).Theenergybodyiselaborateandhasbeenmappedingreatdetail,yetitismostlyoutofreachofWesternscientificinstrumentsatthistime.Finally,asdiscussedalready,properbreathingclarifiesandfocusesthemind.Therearethreestepstobreathingforoptimalphysicalandenergyhealth:

1. Relearninghowtobreathedeeplythroughyournoseintothechest,diaphragmand“belly.”Ofcourse you don’t actually breathe into your belly, but the feeling is such that you breathe airbeneathyourdiaphragm.Thisismoreofabodymapreference.

2. Trainingyourbreathingso thatyoubegin tobreath indeepandrhythmicpatternsnaturallyasyournormalpatternwhenawake

3. Learning to use the breath in advancedways to heal, build energy, clam down, balance youremotions,andtotriggerrazor'sedgeperformance.

Tosaythatlearningbreathcontrolisthemostimportantcomponentofforgingmentaltoughnesswouldnotbeanunderstatement.Duringdrown-prooftrainingatBUD/S,manypeopledropbecausetheyhavedifficultycontrollingthestressandfearcausedbyaseeminglydangerousevent.Withhandsandfeettied,theypanicandflail,throwingtheirenergydownthedrain.However,thosewhohavelearnedtocontroltheirbreathingsailthroughtheevolution.Let’slookatthedetailsofbasicbreathtraining.

Whenyouwereababy,youknewhowtobreatheperfectlywell.Forsomeunknownreason,thatknowledgeislostwithage.Todayitislikelythatyouuseasmallportionofyourlungcapacitywitheachbreath.Theaveragepersontakesfourteentofifteenbreathsperminuteandusesapaltryone-thirdofhisorherlungcapacityineachbreath.Thisleadstoincreasedbloodpressure,carbondioxidebuildup,andafree-for-allmonkeymind.Thetrainedwarriorwilltakethreetofivebreathsperminute,greatlyreducingtheamountofcarbondioxideinhissystemwhilemaintainingacalmbodyandmind.Therearethreeproblemswithrapid,shallowbreathing:

1. Youaretakingtoomanybreaths,unnecessarily,andwastingpreciousenergy.2. You are not bringing in the optimal supply of oxygen and life-force in each breath.You are

leavingenergyonthetableandconsequentlyshorteningyourlife-span.3. You are not expunging all the stale air from the depths of your lungs. This habit incurs

sluggishness,toxicity,andlong-termhealthproblems.

Learningthethree-partrelaxationbreathanddoingitdailyeradicatestheseproblems,freeingyouuptoperformbetter.Hereitis:Begintoinhaledeeplythroughthenose.Oneachinhale,fillthebellyupwithyourbreathandexpandthebellywithairlikeaballoon.Thenontheexhale,expelalltheairoutfromthebellythroughyournose.Drawthenavelbacktowardyourspinetomakesurethatthebellyisemptyofair.Repeatthisforthreetofivecycles.Onthenextinhale,fillthebellyupwithairasinstepone,butwhenthebellyis"full,"drawinmorebreathwithyourdiaphragmintotheribcage,causingtheribstowiden.Ontheexhale,lettheairgofirstfromtheribcage,lettingtheribsslideclosertogether,andthenfromthebelly.Staywiththisforthreetofivecycles.Finally,fillupthebellyandribcageasdescribedabove,andthendrawinevenmoreairintotheupperchest,allthewayuptothecollarbone.Youwillnoteyourupperchestrisingandexpanding.Ontheexhale,letthebreathgofirstfromtheupperchest,thenfromtheribcage,andthenfromthebelly.Youwillfeelarelaxing,settlingfeelingasyoureleasethepressure.Thisthree-partbreathfocusesyouonthethreeareastobefilledwithairandthenreleasedinsequence.Thegoalistotraintobreathethiswayunconsciouslyandnaturallyinonebreathmotion(thatis,youwillnotconsciouslybreakitintothreeparts).Icallthisbreathingpatterntherelaxationbreath.Pleasenotethattheinhaleandexhalearedonesolelythroughthenoseinasslowandcontrolledmanneraspossible.Infact,unlessyouaresmokedinaworkoutandgaspingforair,thenoseistheorganforbreathing.Breathingthroughthenosestimulatesthenervesthatactivatetheparasympatheticnervoussystem(especiallyontheexhale),counteringthefearresponseofthesympatheticnervoussystem.Thenosealsowarmsorcoolstheairandcleansesitofunwantedelementsintheair,suchasdust.

BoxBreathingNowlet'sagainturntomyfavoritetrainingtool,whichdevelopstherelaxationbreathandskill

ofconcentrationsimultaneously.InameditBoxBreathingin2007whenIintroducedthetechniquebecausethepatternofthebreathisa1-1-1-1ratio,shapedlikeabox.Startbyexhalingalloftheairfromthelungs.Nowinhaletoacountoffive,andthenretainandholdyourbreathtoacountoffive.Don’tclampdownandcreateback-pressurewiththishold.Juststoptheinhalebutcontinuetheupwardriseofthechest.Aftertheretention,exhaletheairslowlytoacountoffive,andthensuspendandholdtheexhaledbreathforacountoffive.Foramoreprofoundimpactwithyourboxbreathingtraining,addapowerfuljingle/mantraoneachhold,suchas"gettingbetterandbetter,strongerandunfettered."ThispracticeisofferedinaudioformatinthefirstlessonoftheUnbeatableMindAcademy.Doingthepracticeatleastonceadayfor5to10minutesisenough,thoughIenjoylongersessionsof20minutesafewtimesaweek.Thetechniquecanbeusedinshort1-3minute“spotdrills”severaltimesadayorbeforeanimportantmeetingorevent.Thisapproachisanomnipotentapproachtocheckinandfeedthecouragewolfwhilemanagingyourstress.Also—twoforthepriceofone—thisexercisestrengthensyourmentalpower.Thisonetechniquealoneissotransformativethatwithconsistentexecutionitwillprofoundlychangeyourlife,sowhydon’tyoutakeafive-minutebreakfromreadingandgiveitatrynowasapreparationforwhat’snext:emotionalresiliency.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:BoxBreathing

BigFourofMentalToughnessThefourskillsofbreathing,positivity,visualizationandgoalsettingformwhatIcall“theBig

FourofMentalToughness.”Wehavediscussedbreathcontrolindetailalready,andwillcoverpositivity,visualizationandgoalsettingsoon.Theseskillsaretime-testedandproveninstressfulandchaoticsituations.Iwillquicklyreviewthemhere:

1. ArousalControl:usingdeepbreathingtomanagestressandthearousalresponse(fight,flightorfreeze).

2. Attention Control: learning to control your mind and maintain a positive attitude throughpositiveself-dialogue.

3. Visualization: using mental imagery to ensure that your emotional and mental “picture” ismissionfocusedandaimedtowardvictory.

4. GoalSetting:learningtosetpropergoals,andscalingthemtomicro-goalswhenthegoinggetstough.

WewillcontinuetoworkwiththesetoolsandIhaveincludedahandygraphicintheappendixyoucancutoutandpostnearyourdesk.Butnow,Iwouldliketoturntoanothersetoffourskills,thoseofemotionalresiliency.Nomatterhowmentallytoughyouare,ifyouarenotemotionallyresilientyouarelikelytostillfailatyourmission.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:BigFourofMentalToughness

EmotionalResiliencyTherewasajuniorofficerinoneofmyplatoonsatSEALTeam3whoworehisemotionson

hissleeve.Attheslightestsignofcriticismorhonestfeedbackofhisperformance,hewouldflyoffthehandleandmakeabsolutelysureeveryonewithinearshotknewhowscreweduptheofficerwas

whohadstraightenedhimup.It’sprobablynotmuchofashockertotellyouhiscareerwasshort.DuringKokoroCamps,I’vealsonotedhowtheinabilitytorecoverquicklyfromaperceivedfailurecancrippleatraineeemotionally.Takeamomenttoappraiseyourreactions:Howmanytimeshaveyouletyouremotionstorpedoarelationshiporstressfulproject?

Resiliencymeansthatyoucanbouncebackquicklyfromanysetback,whetherphysical,mentaloremotional.Likementaltoughness,resiliency(beitphysical,mentaloremotional)isaskillthatcanbetrained.Butofthethree,emotionalresiliencythatisthemostchallengingtotakeon.Theprocessissimilartothewitnessprocessformentalcontroldescribedearlier.Itissimpleinconcept.Butthere’snothingeasyaboutit.Emotionalresiliencytakespatienceandcouragetodevelop.Here’showtodoit.

1. First,witnessthenegativeemotionalreaction.Theninterdictitwithapowerstatementthatstopsitinit’strack,thenobservetherootemotionbeneathit.

2. Lean into that root emotion to experience it fully, ensuring that you are avoiding denial ortransference.

3. Transmute thenegative emotional energy to its positive correlate; for example, the emotionalenergyoffearcanbefocusedintocourage,angerbecomescommitment,jealousyisinterdictedandtransformedintoappreciation,andthemostdevastatingemotion,shame,canbecomepridewhiledespairbecomessurrender. Imagine thepossibilitieswhenyoucan interdictallof thesenegativeemotionalresponsesandchanneltheirenergyintothepositivecorrelate!

4. Engagethenewemotionwithimageryandself-talkthatsupportsitandblockstheoldemotionfromre-emerging.Thengetmovingagainbytakingaction.Ofcourse,thatactionmayrequirethatyoutakeyoureyesoffyourselfandputthemonateammate.Thepositivemomentumyoudevelopwilltakeyoutoanew,moreproductiveandemotionallybalancedlevel.

Letmewalkthroughapersonalexample.DuringOperationIraqiFreedom,IwasquotedinanewspaperarticleaboutsomerecentlossesthathadaprovocativetitleabouttheSEALs.Ihadcommentedonthefactthat,inmyopinion,theSEALswerebeingemployedtodoconventionalunitjobsinbroaddaylight,incontradictiontoourdoctrineofbeingthesilentwarriorswhooperatedatnightandweregonebeforetheenemyknewwhathitthem.Theauthorofthearticle,withoutmyapproval,usedmyreserveofficerrankinthestory,makingitlooklikeasemiofficialstatement.IgotcalledonthecarpetquicklybyaSEALcaptainwhoreadmetheriotact.AsIstoodtallinfrontofthisman,whoseemedtolackemotionalcontrolhimself,Ifeltangerrising.Myinstinctualresponsewastofightbackbylashingout—butthatwouldhavejustmadethingsworse.Inthemilitary,ifyou’regettingdresseddownlikethat,youshutupandtakeitwhetheryouthinkthesuperiorinrankisrightornot.Shoutingbackathimwouldhavebeenaseriousbreachofmilitaryprotocolanddiscipline.Thankfully,becauseIhadtrainedtoconnectwithmy“witness”andnotmyreactionarymindandemotions,Icouldgainalittledistanceandobservemyselfreactinginthemoment.IinstantlyrealizedthatIhadn’tbeeninasituationlikethisforalongtimeandthatitcouldbeapowerfullearningopportunity.Iwasabletointerdictmyemotionalresponsewithaself-givencommandto"stop"andthenbegantoobservemyinneremotionalstatewithoutlosingcontrol,allwhileIwasgettingrailed.

Beneaththeanger,Irecognized,wasafearoftherepercussionsanddamagetomyreputation.WhatifIgotkickedofftheTeam?WhatifthepeopleIrespectedheardthisversionofeventsandlostrespectforme?Thoughmybodywasreactingwithanger,Irecognizedtherootemotionasafearofloss.IalsosawthatIhadanissuewithauthority.Thisissuepartlyfueledmyfearfulreaction;Ihada

chiponmyshoulderaboutpeoplewhoIperceivedasrestingontheirrank.Toputitbluntly,Ifeltalackoftrustinthisguy.Ithoughtthathelackedhonestyinhistreatmentofme;hewastoeingthepartyline,andintheprocessdoingagoodjobposturing,effectivelyImightadd.Ifearedthatmyentirecareerwouldgodownthedrainbecauseofthismisstep.

Fortunately,becauseIwasabletoconnectwithmywitnessingselfandgainthatcriticaldistancefrommythinkingandfeelingself,Icouldexaminemyreaction,kickitstires,anddecidethatthoughthefearoflossIfeltwasreal,Iwasblowingitoutofproportionanditwasnotaresponsethatwouldservemewell.AllthishappenedwhilethecaptainragedonabouthowbadaSEALIwas.

Imadetheconsciousdecisiontoconvertthefearofthisauthorityfigureandthefearofpotentiallossintoaforcefulresolutiontomaintainmypositiveandprofessionalattitudetowardhim.Afterall,hewasjustdoinghisjobandworkingwiththetoolsthathadsupportedhimwellinthatsystem.Ibegantoenvisionmyselfasawell-respectedofficer,admiredfornotbeingafraidtospeakhismindandfordoingtherightthingregardlessoftheconsequences.Asyouprobablypredicted,Igotthroughtheincidentwithouttoomuchbloodloss,andIwasabletorefinemyemotionalresiliencytoolkit.Asitturnedout,manySEALsandothervetsthankedmeforwhatIsaidinthearticlebecausetheyagreedwithmeinprinciple.Theywereupsetaboutthesamethingsandfelttheissuesneededtobeairedsoadialoguecouldbehad.TheyappreciatedthecourageIshowedtospeakouthonestly.Ultimatelymyreputationwasenhancedbytheincidentwiththosewhomatteredtomemost.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:Big4ofEmotionalResiliency

TheBigFourofEmotionalResiliencyItismucheasiertoberesilientwhentheFourAttitudesofEmotionalResiliencyareburnedintoyourcharacter.Thefirstattitudeistohaveself-esteem.Self-esteemistheemotionalstateoffeelingworthyandrespectedbyothers.Lowself-esteemcancomefromchildhoodabandonment,volatileenvironmentswhereyourvoiceisnotheard,oroutrightabuse.Iftheseattributesexistinyourconsciousness,thenitisimperativethatyougetsometherapeutichelpandgodeepintothesilencepracticestotastetheunderlyinggoodnessinsideofyou. Second,resiliencyisassuredifyouhavetheattitudeofbeingorientedtowardothersversusjustyourself.Inotherwords,ifyouareserviceoriented,thenyoutendtobemoreemotionallyresilient.VictorFrankldescribesthiseffectinhisbookMan'sSearchforMeaning,whichchronicleshisexperiencesinaNaziconcentrationcamp.Victorsurvivedbyfindingmeaningthroughtendingtoothers'needsoverhisown…andthenteachingthepowerofthissimpletruth.

Thethirdattitudeistoretainapositivemind-setandoptimisticoutlook,whichwehavealreadydiscussedatlength.Itshouldbenosurprisethatapositive,optimisticattitudeimpactsone'semotionalresiliency.Whenyouarepositiveandoptimistic,you’renaturallyinclinedtolookforsolutionsbecauseyoubelieveabetterfutureispossible.Yourconsciousandsubconsciousmindareworkingtogethertospotopportunities.Thisenhancesyourresiliencyandthereforeyourmentaltoughnessbecauseyouunderstandthateveryrainydayisfollowedbysunshine.Youknowthingswillgetbetter,soobstaclesandsetbacksdon’tbringyoudownthewaytheydosomeonewhoisnegativeandbelievesallislost.You’reabletobouncebackandpersevere.

Finally,resiliencyisensuredwhenyouhaveanattitudeofself-control.Thisisnecessarilyinformedbyarobustcertaintyofyour"why."Your“why”iscloselyrelatedtobothyourpurposeandyourOneThing.Imagineyourpurposeastheforcebehindyourlife—itisyourfoundationalreasonforbeingonthisEarthinthisincarnationofyourself.(MypurposeistomastermyselfsoIcanservehumanityasawarrior,leaderandteacher).ThenyourOneThingisthemajordrivinginitiativethat

movesthedialtowardyourpurposeinyournearfuture,6monthsto2yearsout.YourOneThingwillclearlychangeovertime,butitisalwaysconnectedtoyourpurpose.

Atonetime,myOneThingwastoearntheTridentandbecomeaNavySEAL.IpushedmyselftothebrinktoearnmyTridenteveryday,becomingHonorManofmytrainingclassandultimatelyarespectedofficer.Why?SoIcouldfulfillmypurposeasawarriorleader,effectivelyservingmyteamsothatwewouldbevictoriousineverymission,whichfedintoservingmycountryindangeroustimesandplaces.ThenintheTeamsitshiftedtobecomingthebestspecialoperationsofficerIcouldbe.Lateronitbecametotrainandinspireanewgenerationofwarriorsfromtheranksofmilitaryandciviliansalike.Thepointisthatyour“why”isliketheinnercoreofthesun,afusionreactorthatkeepsyougoingdayinanddayoutasyoupursueyour“OneThing”towardyourpurpose.

Sometimesinacrisiswehavetonarrowourfocus,momentarilysetasideourcommitmenttothatbroaderpurpose,andfindanewwhytosurvive…anew“OneThing”tomotivateustogettotheotherside.WhenclimberAronRalston(profiledinthemovie“127Hours”)foundhimselfaloneinthedesert,literallystuckbetweenarockandahardplace,tosurvive,hefiguredoutawaytobreakhisarmandthenuseadullbladeofamulti-tooltocompletetheamputation.HisOneThingduringthatintenseperiodwastoseehisunborndaughter.Thiswasapowerfulenough‘why’thatitpropelledhimtodosomethingmostofuscouldnotimaginedoing.Hisactionwassuccessfulandhedidsurvive,gettoknowhisdaughter,andhassincegoneontofulfillahigherpurposeasaninspirationalspeaker.Thelessonisthattobeemotionallyresilient,andasurvivor,itiscrucialtoknowyourmotivation:Whatisyourwhy?Whatareyouwillingtodotomakesureitcomestofruition?Thenbackthatemotionupwithself-esteem,apositiveattitude,optimismthatyouwillsucceed,andafocusontheothersinyourteam—evenifyouhaven’tmetthemyet!

Section2:DevelopWarriorDiscipline

ChapterThree:Self-MasteryTheouterconditionsofaperson'slifewillalwaysbefoundtoreflecttheirinnerbeliefs.—JamesAllen

PriortotheSEALs,mycareerasafledglingaccountantatCoopers&LybrandwasdrivenintheshorttermbymygoalsofearninganMBAandCPA(showinganeedforsignificance)andbymylong-termgoalsoffinancialindependence(displayinganeedforcertainty).Iwascruisingalongtowardthesecommongoalsbutdidn'tfindtheworkveryinterestingorrewarding.Thosesixletters,"MBA-CPA,"becamemyfocus,andIwasn'tgoingtoquit,nomatterwhat.Myfamilyandfriendswouldsaythatmyfuturelookedbright:Iwasmakinggreatmoneyinaprestigiousjobandhadacareerpathshimmeringoutinfrontofme.Shimmeringforothers;notme.AsmyZentrainingbegantorevealmytrueselftome,afeelingofmisery,bornfrombeinginaplaceIwasnotmeanttobe,grewinintensity.

TheZenandwarriortraininggroundmyoutershelldownenoughthatitallowedmyinnervoicetobeheard,whichwastellingme,"Mark,youareoutofalignmentwithyourpurpose.Yourpassionistobealeader,awarrior,andtofindagrandadventure.Yourprinciplesarebeingcompromisedbychasingmoney,andyourpurposeisbiggerthanjustbeinginbusinessforthesakeofacareer."

Thegreaterthedepthofmyperceptions,themoredisdainIbegantofeelforthegreedandbackstabbingbehaviorIwasobservingintheoffice.AndIwasafullparticipantinthecharade.Acollisionofmyworldsdisorientedme—ononehand,themessagefromthehomefrontwasthatIwaskickingassinthisprofessionalbusinesscareer(theDivineswereabusinessfamily,period).Yetontheotherhand,Ifeltthatsomethingwasdisturbinglywrong.Alltheexternalindicatorsweregreen;IwasgettingalltherightsocialfeedbackthatIwasontrackanddoingwell.ButIjusthadthisbroodingsensationthatIwassteamingawayinthewrongdirection.

AfteroneofourZentrainings,KaichoNakamuragavealecturetitled"OneDay,OneLife."Heexplainedthatawarriorexperiencesalifetimeinasingleday.Yousee,thewarriordoesn'ttakeanythingforgranted.Heorshelivesontherazor'sedgeofexperienceasifeachdaywerepotentiallythelast.Eachmomentislivedasifone'shairisonfire—withafullnessandpurpose.Heorsheavoidsgettingcaughtupinthedramasoflife,preferringtoavoidregretsanddesiresbykeepingthingssimpleandpractical.Inordertoexperienceonelifeinoneday,thewarriortrainshisbody,mind,andspirittobeattheready.

Iwasmovedbythelecture.ForweeksIthoughtintentlyaboutthelectureandwhythismessageresonatedwithme.Itdrovemetoaskvitalquestions.WhatwouldIbelikeiflifehadanall-encompassingpurposebeyondjustmakingabunchofmoneyandascendingthestepsofaconventionalcareer?Howmotivatingitwouldbetowakeupeverydaywiththathair-on-firepassiontofulfilladeeply-chargedpurpose!Thisawakeningallowedmetofinallyletgooftheculturally-sustainedarchetypeaboutwork,thecorporateladderandwhatdefinessuccess,andtoacceptawholenewphilosophyoflife.TothisdayIcontinuetotraindailytoupholdthestandardsetbyKaichoNakamura's"OneDay,OneLife"speech.ThedisciplinethisconceptrepresentsiscalledSelf-Mastery.ItisdevelopedbytravelingTheFiveMountains.

TheFiveMountainsDependingonyourlevelofdevelopmentandawareness,youwillhavedifferentdefinitionsof

success.Tome,successisn’taboutgainingcontroloveryourenvironmentordominatingexternalslikemakingalotofmoneyormovinguptheranksinyourcareer.Ibelievethatsuccessinlifeis

internalandcomesfromdevelopingmasteryoveryourself,andusingthismasterysoyoucanserveothersinthefulfillmentofyourpurpose.Whenthispathispursued,anabundantpeaceofmindiscultivatedduetonon-attachmenttothematerialthingsoflife.Becauseyou’reinalignmentwithyourpurposeandyourOneThing,youcanalwaysanswerthequestion“why?”Yoursenseofbeingsettledandbalancedisverystrong.Allyouractionsanddecisions,thequalityofyourrelationships,allflowfromthismoreevolvedstateofclarityandcalm.Attainingcertaincareermilestonesofbusinessrevenuedriversaremoreofaby-productoftruesuccess.Theywillhappen,butwedon’tfocusontheseasgoals.

WhenIfinallyfoundthecouragetostepoutofthecorporategametojointheSEALs,IlearnedthattheSEALsembodiedasimilarapproachtolifeaswhatI’dlearnedthroughpracticingkarate,albeititwasexpressedthroughtheiruniqueculturallens.BoththeSeidoandtheSEALculturesaythattoactualizepotential,wemusttrainourselvesinawhole-person,balancedmanner.Ilearnedthatifyoudon’ttraintogrow,orarestuckinasingulardimensioninyourtraining—likepursuingimprovementsstrictlywithintheplaneofthephysical,orstrictlyintherealmoftheintellectual—thenitislikelythatimportantaspectsofyourintelligencewillbeundevelopedfromanintegrated“wholeperson”perspective.Thatmeansyouwon’tbeoperatingatyourfullpotential.Youwon’tbelivingthe“oneday,onelifetime”maxim,andwillmissinvaluableopportunitiestoserveothers,meetyourmissionorfulfillyourpurpose.Thedisciplineofthewarrioristotrainforfull-spectrumintegration,readytorespondtoanychallengewithavirtuositybornofaclearheartandmind.Inmyexperiencetherearefiveprimarydomainsofintelligencethatmustbedevelopedforwarrior-likefocusandgenuinesuccessinlife(inthewaythatIhavedefinedsuccessabove).Asyounowknow,IcalltheseTheFiveMountains:

1. ThePhysicalMountain:methodicallydeveloping theability tocontrolanduseyourbodywithall-aroundfunctionality.Thisbuildsconfidenceandself-esteemandmakesyoumoreuseful inlife and to your team. This includes the physical skills of strength, stamina, work capacity,endurance,anddurability,properlyfuelingthebody,sleep,recoveryandlearningtoregulatethesympatheticandparasympatheticaspectsofyourautonomousnervoussystem.

2. TheMentalMountain:cultivatingmentalcontrolandconcentration,andupgradingthecontentofyourmindtoensureapositivecontributiontotheworld.Inaddition,wewillsharpenthementaltoughnesstostayinthefight,andthecreativityformorepotentwork.Thisincludeslearningtotap into and rewire subconscious programming and to master the skills, knowledge, andexpertisenecessarytoyourpersonalorprofessionalcalling.

3. The Emotional Mountain: understanding, harnessing, and controlling your vast emotionalpower,developingself-esteem,confidenceandforgingapositiveresiliencyinthefaceofgreatchallenges.

4. TheIntuitionMountain:becominganawareandintuitiveleaderbylearningtolookwithinanddevelopyour sixth sense, to listenwithyourbelly, andgetSheepdogStrong (we’ll talkmoreaboutwhatitmeanstobe“SheepdogStrong”inChapter7).

5. TheKokoroMountain:thewordKokorohasJapaneseoriginsandmeanstomergeone'sheartandmindintoaction.Thismountainisaboutdevelopingaconnectionwithyourspirit,learningto lead and act with your heart, authentically connecting with others, and striving for anintegrated consciousness that benefits all mankind. Kokoro can also be described as positivewillpower,anon-quittingspirit,andisassociatedwithyourspiritualdevelopment.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:5MountainsofSelfMastery

Thephysicalmountainiscoveredindetailinmybook8WeekstoSEALFITsoitisbeyondthescopeofthiswork,whichfocusesontheotherfourmountains.ThekeyconceptIwanttoleaveyouwithistolookattrainingyour"wholeperson"inanintegratedmannerfromnowon.Thiswillsetyouonthepathtomasteringyourselfatalllevelsandaccelerateyoutowardhigherplateausofconsciousness…whereyouwillexperiencelifeatitsfullest.

TheDisciplinesoftheWarriorNomaritimejourneyofimportanceiseverachievedwithoutdisciplinedshipbuildinganda

disciplinedcaptain,crew,andnavigationsystem.AsyousetouttotackleyourFiveMountains,youwillneeddisciplineswiththismagnitudeofvaluetoguideyourjourney.Touseadifferentmetaphor,disciplinesarelikerailroadtracksforyourlife:theykeepyouontrackwhiledirectingthewayforward.

Theworddisciplineshouldbedefinedbeforewegofurther.Commondefinitionsinclude:

1. Trainingtoensureproperbehavior:thepracticeormethodsofteachingandlearningbehaviorpatterns

2. Orderandcontrol:acontrolled,orderlystateasinaclassroomsettingoramilitaryunit3. Calm, controlled behavior: the ability to behave in a controlled and calmway even during a

difficultorstressfulsituation4. Conscious control over lifestyle:mental self-control used in directing or changing behavior,

learninghowtoexecuteanewtaskoridea,ortrainingforanevent

Thefirstdefinition,"trainingtoensureproperbehavior,"isclosesttomymeaninghere.Tobedisciplinedisliterallytobea"disciple"tosomethinglargerthanyou.InthiscontextyoumustbeadiscipletomasteringyourselfandyourFiveMountains.Thefirstdisciplineofself-masteryissimplicity.

SimplicityWhenIwasinthecorporateworldnavigatingthepoliticalandsocialscene,lifeseemed

complicated,acacophonyofdiscordantandemotionally-chargedegosandambitionscollidingwithoneanotherInotethatmanypeoplegravitatetowardthecomplexbecauseitmakesthemfeelimportantanddistractsthemfrommoregenuinepursuitsandresponsibilities.Inthiszoneofdistractionthere’snotimeorneedtofocusonthemoredifficultworkofimprovingthemselvesorservingothers.WhenIjettisonedthatworldandlandedintheSEALTeams,lifesuddenlygotverysimple.Mymissionwasclear:huntandkillthebadguys,andprotectthelifewehadbackhome.Personalpossessionsoftengotintheway.Inthisnewlightofsimplicity,theywerediscarded.CommunicationsbetweenteammateswerekeptSpartanandauthentic.Liveswereontheline;theBSofsocialpoliticswaseradicated.Mylifecollapsedintotrainingandconductingmissionsaroundtheworld.Thestraightforwardlifeofthewarriorwasliberating.Itrytolivebythesamestandardtothisday.

Let'sbreakthisdowntothepracticallevel.Inthecontextofeverydaylifechoices,simplicitycanmeanbeingcontentwithyourpresentsituation.I’msuggestingthatyouconductanoverhaulofyourdefinitionofcontentment.Youcanhaveapeaceofmindthateverything’sgoodthewayitis—thatyouarewhoyouareandwhereyou’reatforareason—andstillhavethedesireforabetterfuture.It’swhenwebecomeweigheddownwithdissatisfaction,anegativeemotion,thatwetendto

complicatethings.Itdoesn'thelptobeatyourselfupifyouaren'thappywiththecurrentstateofaffairs.Obsessingaboutwhatyoudon'thaveaccomplishesnothing.Besides,it’sdistracting.Whereyouarenowisanecessarystepinyourevolution,soremaincontentwithwhereyouarewhileexecutingastrategyforgettingtowhereyouwanttogo.Thiswillimmediatelysimplifyyourlife.

Anembraceofsimplicityoffersanotherpotentandliberatingopportunity.Itallowsyoutoreducethenumberofcommitments,materialpossessions,andunsupportiverelationshipsweburdenourselveswith.Thesetendtoclutterthemindandweighyoudown.Lighteningtheloadlightensthespiritaswell.Thisprincipleextendstomoderationinspeech,food,drink,andotherhabits.Toomuchofagoodthingturnsitintoabadthing.TheGreeksunderstoodthisdiscipline-oneoftwostatementsinscribedontheTempleofAppoloinDelphiis:“Everythinginmoderation.”

SometimesIallowthingstoclutterupinsomeareasofmylife.Mycloset,office,andcartrunk,tobespecific.Maybeyoudothesameinotherareas.Ihavefoundthataperiodicdeclutteringofthesespacesisanexcellentwaytoexperiencesimplicityandcontentment.Beginwithyourmostclutteredspace.Cleanitandthenkeepitcleanquarterly.Declutteringwillhelpyouavoidaccumulatingunnecessarypossessionsandcommitments.Youkeepthingssimple.Alwaysbeaskingyourselfthesetwoquestions:

1. DoIreallyneedthisnow?Can’tIdowithoutit?2. WhatcanIgetridoforletgoofnow?

Thissimplicitypracticeleadstolessattachmenttomaterialthings.Detachmentisapowerfulattitudecloselyrelatedtocontentment.Itisextremelyliberatingtoknowthatthoughyoucan'ttakeyourpossessionswithyou…butyoucandietrying!

DedicationThenextdisciplineisdedication.Ifyouarecommittedtoself-mastery,thenyoumustbe

dedicatedtoyourtraining.AfterIenduredtwoyearsofcontinuoustrainingtobecomeaNavySEAL,Iwassomewhatsurprisedtolearnthatmynumberonefocusasa"Teamguy"wastotrainmoreandharder.Itneverended,andithastransformedmylifeinseveralways.First,trainingwasnotoptional;rather,itwasasessentialaseatingandsleeping.Second,trainingwastoocriticalforittoberandomorhaphazard.Mostpeoplehavearandomapproachtophysicaltrainingandwonderwhytheydon'tgetveryfar.Randomtrainingwouldbeadisasterforanyeliteteam,asitisforindividuals.Trainingmustbeplannedandpurposefulandapproachedwitha"crawl,walk,run"methodology.Dedicationisrequiredtoshowupandputouteveryday.

OneofmanyunrealexperiencesfrommySEALdaysstandsouttomewhenIthinkaboutthededicationittakestomasteranyskill.Itwasmyfirstpredawnfree-falljump,inthethickblacknessofamoonlessnight,andtheroarofthechopper'srotorbladessearedthesky’sstillness.AsIflewofftherampintothedarkness,thewindbuffetedmelikearagdollforafewmoments,andthenIfeltmybodyacceleratingawayfromthebird.Iarchedmybackandleveledout,shootingto120milesperhour.Itookalookatthehorizonandsawastreakofsunlightpenetratingthenight.IalsosawmySEALinstructor,MikeLoo,watchingmecloselyasheswoopedinnearlyparalleltomyposition.Idida360-degreeturnandthenlookedoveratLooforhisnextsetofinstructions.IfIhadn'tbeenhurtlingthroughtheairat120milesperhour,youcouldhaveseenmyjawdrop.Loowasstandingfeettoearth,droppinglikeabullet,smilingcalmlyatme.Thenheflickedhisfingersanddida360-degreeflip,landingfeettoearthagain.Lootappedhisaltimeter,causingmetolookatmine.Fourthousandfeetabovegroundlevel…timetopull.Lookingatmyripcord,Ireachedandpulled

forcefully,deployingmyparachute.Itwaffledupandcaughtairwithapop.IdriftedtoasafelandingThemomentwasindeliblyburnedinmybrainasadisplayoftotalcontrolofbodyandmind.Ihadwitnessedmastery,andofcourseMikewasjustdoinghisjob.Hiscontrolovertheairwasastounding,butithadn’tcomenaturally.Mikehadmasteredhisemotionsandphysicalreactions,aswellasskillsspecifictohighaltitudejumps—duringhistrainingthroughmorethan2,000free-falls.

Anoteofcaution:dedicationmustbeoffsetwithhumorandrealitychecks.Beseriousanddedicatedtoyourtraining,butcounterbalanceitwithhumorandlet"reallife"flow.Ioftenseethosewhoembarkonapathofdedicationimmersethemselvesinseriousness,asifbeingseriouswouldmovethemalongfaster.Itwon't,trustme.Havingasenseofhumorandbalanceismoreeffectiveforthelonghaul,andmorefun.Basedonwhatyouhaveseeninpopcultureandthemovies,youmayexpectthatKaichoNakamuraandmySEALbrotherswereasternlot.Nothingisfurtherfromthetruth.Thoughtheyarealldedicatedandintenselyseriousaboutmastery,theyarealsohilariousandlighthearted.IhavenodoubtthatMikeLoowaslaughinginsideashestoodonairwhileplummetinglikeameteorite,noddingtomelikeasifwewerehangingonastreetcorner.

Trynottotakeyourselftooseriously,andkeepinmindthatthejourneyismoreimportantthanthedestination—soyoushouldrelaxandenjoythewalk.

AuthenticityThethirddisciplinetoexploreisauthenticity.Yourauthenticityasaleaderwillevolvenaturally

asyoufocusonself-mastery,butitisalsoimportanttodisciplineitintoyourbeing.Asdiscussedalready,livingauthenticallybeginswithconnectingataheartlevelanddiscoveringwhatdrivesyou—your3PsandyourOneThing—soyoucanserveothersinalignmentwithyourinternalcompass.Anddevelopingmentalcontrolallowsyoutodirectyourthoughtstowardpositive,powerfulintentionsforintegratingyourhighervaluesintoeveryaspectofyourlife.Itisinthismind,body,andspiritalignment—thistotalintegrationoftheself—thatheart-mindconnectioniscultivatedandyourcharacterradiatesgreaterauthenticity.

Iprobablydon'tneedtostresshowchallengingthisisinourbusylives,whicharebuiltonaneconomicmodelthatseparatesandpitsusagainsteachotherinsubtleways.However,thequalityofyourrelationshipsgoingforwardwilllargelybedefinedbythelevelofauthenticityyoubringtothem.Alackofauthenticityleadstodiminishedtrust,creatingaless-evolvedtransactionalrelationshipbetweenindividualsnotconnectedinanyrealunderstanding.Theseagreementsarebuiltonlegaldetailsandoftenbreakdownintoconflict–whetherbetweenindividuals,corporationsornations.Anabundanceofauthenticitywillleadtoenhancedtrust,therebyfosteringatransformationalrelationshipbetweeninterconnectedindividualsseekingcommongroundandawinforall.Theseagreementsarebuiltonanintegratedworldviewandareupheldwithahandshake.Nodoubtweareawaysfromthatideal,butwhatwouldyouprefer?Ipreferdealingatanauthentic,trustlevel,wherebyweeachwriteourownscriptfromaplaceofabundanceandhonor.

WritingYourOwnScriptDoyouwriteyourownscriptsorareyou,likeIwasinmy"pre-Seido"youth,reactingtoa

scriptwrittenbysomeoneelse?Areporterwaswritingastoryabouttheachievementsofonetwinwhoclawedhiswayoutof

thepovertyanddepressiontoachievegreatsuccess.Thereporteraskedtheman,"Towhatdoyouattributeyouraccomplishments?"Heresponded,"Ihadnochoice,yousee.Ihadtofindawayupandoutbecausemyfatherwasahorriblealcoholicandabusedmeandmybrother—IknewthatifIdidn'tworkhardandseekabetterlife,I'dbecomejustlikehim."Curiousaboutthefateoftheothertwin,the

reportertrackedhimdown.Hefoundhimdestitute,livingonthestreets.Thereporteraskedthesamequestion.Theresponsewas,"Ihadnochoice,yousee;Iwasdoomedbecausemyfatherwasahorriblealcoholicwhoabusedmeandmybrother.Ididn'tstandachance."

Youhaveachoicetobeincontrolofyourlifeandtobeauthentic.Howyouuseyourmind,body,emotions,andintuitionandconnectwithyourspiritisachoice.Doyouleaveittochance,lettingthepreconditioningoflifewriteyourscript,ordoyoutakecontrolandwriteyourownbestseller?Theanswerisclear.

ChapterFour:ThePowerOfServiceThedisciplineoftrueserviceflowsfromaselflessandgenuinedesiretorenderaidandsupportwhen

yourteammatesandothersareinneed.—MarkDivine

MedalofHonorrecipientLieutenantMichaelMurphywaskilledduringaSEALmissioninthemountainsofAfghanistan.TherivetingstorywastoldbyhisteammateMarcusLuttrellinthebookLoneSurvivor.Heroicsaside,thebehaviorofthelateLieutenantMurphyisinterestingtolookatinthecontextofourdiscussionofdisciplines.First,"Murph,"ashewasknowntohisteammates,demonstratedincrediblecompassionforhisteamduringthefailedoperation.Whentheteamwasdiscoveredbyashepherdandhisson,MurphhadtoquicklyweighthemilitaryrulesofengagementandthelocalthreatofaTalibanresponsewithadecisiontokillorreleasetheunarmedlocalstoprotecthisteamandmission.Heultimatelyletthemgo,leadingtothedisastrousconsequencesforhimandhisteam,aslocalsindeedinformedtheTaliban.Itiseasytosecond-guessthedecisioninthecomfortofourlivingrooms(manyspecialoperatorsbelievehemadethewrongdecision);however,thefactthathisworld-centriclevelofconsciousnessledhimtoactoutofcompassion,notviolence,iswhatIfindintriguing.What'scertainisthathediedaheroandwithaclearheart.

AnotherbiglessonwecanlearnfromLieutenantMurphy,though,ishowheservedhisteammates.AfterbeingoverrunbyhundredsofTaliban,Murphandtheteamfoughtlikelions.Butthesituationwasgrim,sohetriedtocallinhelp.Unfortunatelytheradiodidnotworkinthemountainousterrain,soheresortedtoasatellitephone.Togetanuplinktothesatellite,heexposedhimselftotheenemyfire,knowingfullwellhewouldnotsurvive.AccordingtoLuttrell,therewasnohesitationinMurphy’sdecisiontomakethissacrifice,nosecondthoughtsaboutself-preservation.Murphjuststeppedintotheopentocallforbackup,andthatwastheend.Helosthislife,butifhehadn’tradioedforbackup,MarcusLuttrellwouldnotbearoundtodaytosharethestory.

Thereismuchadoaboutserviceinthephilanthropicandreligiouscommunities.Thedoingofgoodworksinthenameofserviceisanicegesture.However,thisisnot"Murph-level"service.Toomanycompaniesandindividualsdoitbecausetheythinkitwillmakethemlookgoodorbecausetheircompetitorsaredoingit.Oftensomeonewillprovidesomeservicethroughhisorherchurchbutthenbeaself-servingjerkathome.Servicehastakenontheroleofanobligationtocheckthe"dogood,feelgood"box.ThetypeofservicethatMurphmodeledinvolvedservingyourteam(family)beforeyourselfatalltimes.Thisisadisciplinethatrequiresthreesupportingattitudes:compassion,generosity,andabundance.

CompassionCompassionevolvesfromself-respectandbeingabletoassumetheperspectiveofothers.In

them,youseeyourself,withallthegloryandsufferingofthehumanracepresentinsomemanner.Self-respectiscultivatedthenbyforgivingoneselfandlettinggoofjudgmentandregrets.Whenyouhaveclearedjudgmentandregret,youcanthenturnyoureyestowardotherswithrespectandcompassion.Inoursocietycompassionhasoftenbeenviewedasaweaknessinmen,thoughthistendencyisslowlychanging.Warriortraditionshavetreatedcompassionasastrengththatextendseventotheenemy,asLTMurphydisplayedthroughhisactionsonthemountaintopinAfghanistan.Authenticwarriorsarethelasttochoosethefight,butarefirsttopickuptheweapontofightwhendutydemandsit.

Abundance

Abundanceisapositiveexpressionofahighlyevolvedconsciousnessthatrecognizesthereisplentytogoaroundinthisworld.Itistheexactoppositeofthementalityofscarcity.Oftenitisthebite-sizedthingsthatbetraysascarcitymentality—IalmostlostafingeratabarbecuebyascarcityguywhohadhismindtransfixedonajuicyT-bonesteakthatIwasabouttoforkfromthegrill.Hisknifecamedownhardbetweenmymiddleandringfingerasheexclaimed,"Mine!"Ouch.Thattidbitofbehaviorwasasnapshotdemonstrationofthescarcitymentality,anobsessivementalitysaturatingthisindividual’severyactionandrelationship.

Youcanalsoconsiderthesomewhatrecenttrendof“doomsdaypreppers”whoviewtheworld’srapidrateofchangeasasignalthatthingsareabouttocollapseandgetugly.Now,youalreadyknowthatIbelievebeingpreparedinmind,body,andspiritisagoodthing,asislearningtobeawareofwarningsignssowecanproactivelyattackachallengeinsteadofwaitingforacrisistocometothedoorstep.ButwhatI’madvocatinghereisthatyouaccomplishtheseobjectivesandcontinuetopracticeanabundanceattitude.SomeonewithanUnbeatableMindlooksathowquicklythingsarechangingandmakesaradicalshiftfrom“Theworld’scomingtoend!”to“Wow,it’sgoingtobeanincrediblyexcitingfuture…howcanIupgrademypersonalandteamsystemstokeeppacewiththeopportunitiesonthehorizon?”

Whenyouhaveanabundancemindset,youseethatthereismoreoutthereforeveryone,includingyourself.Seeingtheworldinthislightmakesaserviceorientationano-brainer,becauseyouarenolongercorneredbytheperceptionthatyoumustgrabwhat’syoursorseizingresourcesattheexpenseofothers.Thismentalityishardtofindtodaybutisapowerfulchangeagentforyourgrowth.Ifyouareconcernedaboutthefutureoftheplanetanditsdwindlingresourcesandhavetroublebeingoptimisticaboutit,IrecommendPeterDiamandis'sbook,aptlytitledAbundance.Inithepaintsapictureofourfuturebasedonparadigm-shiftingbreakthroughsintechnologyandthinkingthat,withaglobalshiftinconsciousness,willtransformtheearthandsolveintractableenvironmentalandsocialchallengescreatedbytechnologyandhumanarrogancetobeginwith.

GenerosityIfanabundanceattitudereflectsyourviewofhowtheworldis,andhowitworks,then

generosityisanabundancemindsetfunneledintoyourbehaviorwithothers;atransactionrelatedtoyourtime,talents,energyandresources.Theuniversallawofgenerositystatesthatthemoreyoushare,themoreplentyyouhaveinlife.Whenyoutrulybelievethatthere'senoughtogoaroundforeveryone,regardlessofthesituation,thentheworldstopsbeingazero-sumgame.Generosityoftime,uniquetalent,support,andloveallowspositiveenergytoflowfromyoulikeariverforeverbeingreplenishedbythewellspringofuniversalenergy.

Butgenerositytranscendsmindset.Itflowsfromyourheart,withagenuinedesireforotherstohavewhatyouhave,toexperiencethesameabundanceintheworldthatyouexperience.Youdon’tseektogainattheexpenseofothers.Generositycanbedevelopedthroughawarenessofyourdailyimpulsestowardscarcity,andthenactivelyredirectingthosethoughtswitheverydaybasics:

Doyoutip20percent?Doyousmileatpeopleyouwalkby?Doyougrabthebiggeststeakoffthegrill(orinsertanythingyoudesirethatsomeoneelsemaylayclaimto)orallowsomeoneelsetohaveit?Doyouhelpsomeonewithoutbeingasked?Whatwouldyoudoforyourfamilyorteammatesinatimeofneed?

TheGoldenRuledescribesanattitudeofgenerosity,aversionofwhichexistsineveryspiritualtradition."Dountoothersasyouwouldhavethemdountoyou"istheChristianversion.Theinterestingaspectofthisruleisthatthereturnisgreaterthanthegiving.Althoughitmaycomebackatalatertime,orfromanothersource,orinadifferentmannerthanthatinwhichitwasgiven,itwillcomebacktoyouingreatermeasure.Ontheotherhand,ifyou'reastingyhoarderwithyourmoney,time,orenergy,youwilldryuplikeEbenezerScrooge.Yourenergywillburnoutasyoubecomemorebrittleandinflexibleinthoughtandbody.

UnbeatableMindtrainingrequirespersonaldisciplinefortrainingandpractice,aswellascultivatingtheinterpersonaldisciplinesofcharacterdescribedabove.Togethertheyformthebasisforthemeta-disciplinesofself-masteryandservice.Thesedisciplinesalsodevelopthefoundationforanethicalstand,whichwillpavethewayforgrowthtowardhigherstagesofconsciousnessandamorefulfillinglife.Let'snowmoveontothenextchapterandlookathowwecangobeyondpractice,andstriveforexcellence.

Section3:CultivateExcellence

ChapterFive:DeepAwarenessIfyouknowtheenemyandknowyourself,youneednotfeartheresultofahundredbattles.Ifyouknowyourselfbutnottheenemy,foreveryvictorygainedyouwillalsosufferadefeat.Ifyouknowneither

theenemynoryourself,youwillsuccumbineverybattle.—SunTzu

Sofar,everythingwe’vebeentalkingabouthasbeenfocusedonyourevolutionasahumanbeingandaleader.Thiscirclesbacktotheconceptofself-examination.InSection1welearnedhowtostartcreatingmentalandemotionaldistancefromournegativethoughtsandreactionsbyconnectingwithourwitness.InSection2,welearnedhowtostarteradicatingthenegativejunkweseeinthatspaceandupgradingourthoughts,patterns,andresponseswithadisciplinedapproachtoself-mastery.Wealsolearnedhowaserviceorientationisanaturalhumanurge,andhowitsupportsourpersonalevolution,naturallyemergingathigherstagesofdevelopment.

NowIwouldliketoexplorehowanadvancedawarenessisessentialtoyourcycleofgrowth.Themosthappyandsuccessfulpeopleintheworldarealsothemostawareoftheirinternalandexternalenvironments.Theyareconstantlyscanningbothforthreatsandopportunitiestogrowandlead.Tomakeachangeorinstituteanupgrade,awarenessisthestartingpoint.Afteryouthendotheworkandmakethechange,youbecomeawareoffurtheropportunitiesforgrowth.Thisplaneofawarenesswillnowexpandfromyourdeepestselfthroughtoallthreespheresofexperienceinyourlife.

Three-SphereAwarenessThedayafterIlefttheactivedutyNavy,Iwassurprisedbythechangeinmymentalstateand

senseofself.OnedayearlierIhadbeenpartofaneliteteamandaself-containedsystemwithintheSEALs,bothofwhichhadaprofoundinfluenceonmythinkingandbehaviors.Myteaminfluencedmymentaltoughness,mysenseofpurpose,andmyconfidence.Myteammateshadgonetohellandbackwithme,andItrustedthemwithmylife.IhadforgottenthatIwouldbehard-pressedtofindthatleveloftrustinthecivilianworld.ThesystemoftheNavywasrigidandclear:IknewhowmuchIwastobepaid,whattowear,wheretogo,andhowtoacteveryday.Thenjustlikethat—boom—itallchanged.OnthefirstdaymyobligationsandinteractionswereoutsideandindependentoftheUnitedStatesNavy,Iwaswithoutmyteam,andwasfreeofanydefinitiveinstructionsastowhattowear,wheretogoandwhen,howtoact,orwhatdotowithmyday.Itwasblankasaslatecanbe.Ifeltbothliberatedand,asoddasitmaysound,strangelyintimidated.Mostofushavehadtotransitionoutofsomeformofrigidorganizationalstructurebecausethesestructures,military,corporate,academicandsoon,havedominatedthe20thcentury,andcontinuetodominatetoday.Keenlydevelopingtheawarenessandperspectiveofhowweintegratewith—andarechangedby—thevariousteamsandstructuresiswhatImeanbythreesphereawareness.

Asyoureflectbackuponyourownlife,youcanidentifythosemomentswhereyouwentthroughamajorchangeofjob,careers,oreventransitioningfromschoolintotheworkforceandsufferedasimilarexperience.Thebig"aha"formecamewhenIstudiedthe“IntegralTheory”ofAmericanphilosopherKenWilber.Ibegantounderstandhowweliveinthreedistinctspheres,eacharisingsimultaneouslyandeachimpactingoneanother.Theyarethe"I,""We,"and"It"spheres,whichIalsorefertoastheSelf,Team,andOrganization,inthecontextoftheprofessionalrealm.Thesethreeareinterdependentandhavecausaleffectsoneachother.Changeone,andallspheresareimpacted.Let'stakeacloserlook…

RefertoimageinAppendix1:3Spheres

TheIsphereistherealmofyourindividual,subjectiveself.Itisyourconsciousness,worldview,beliefs,anddesires.Itincludesyoursenseofwhatisright,wrong,beautiful,andugly,andeveryoneofusisutterlyuniqueinourIspheres.Indeed,weareintimatelyconcernedwiththissphere.Itistherealmofinternalawareness;whenwesayweareworkingtowardmastery,itisprimarilyintheIspherethatwedoourinternalworkandregistertheresults.Thisisespeciallyimportantbecauseitisherethatwedeveloptrustworthinessandauthenticityinrelationships.ThesequalitiesbecomeincreasinglyimpactfulasweengageintheWeorItspheres.

TheWesphereisyourinter-subjectivespacebetweentwoormorepeoplesharingexperiencesandtryingtouncovercommonmeaning.Thisspherecanalsobethoughtofasthecultureofateam,communityorsociety.‘We’isexperiencedwithinafamily,aworkteam,oratribeoflike-mindedpeople.ItisintheWespherethatethicalcodesofconduct,yourstand,communicationsstrategies,andleadershipauthenticityareexpressed,andfurtherdeveloped.Itiswithinthisspherethatseparation,racialbiasandjudgmentarisebaseduponthedisparatedevelopmentalplateausfoundamongstothers.(moreonthisinchapterten).Ifyouhavewonderedwhythereissomuchconflictintheworld,thenyoucanlookattheintersectionofIandWeatvastlydifferentstagesofhumandevelopmenttofindtheanswer.

BecauseweengagetheWesphereinteractingwithotherpeople,thislevelinvolvesbothourinternalandexternalawareness.Itiswithawarenessofthisspherethatthewarriorscanstheteamortribe,seekingtounderstandtheirperspective,aswellassearchingforthreatsandopportunities,spottingtheminesontheminefieldlongbeforeothersdo.Whetherit’sanunrulydrunkatarestaurantthatmightaccidentallyinjureyouoryourfamily,oraninvestorwhoseemsinterestedinyournewbusinessventure,awarenessintheWespherehelpsyourespondquickly,effectively,andsuccessfully.

ButtheIandWespheresdon'texistinastructurelessvacuumofanarchy.Bothareinfluencedandrestrictedbysystems,rules,roles,andbehavioralaspectsofanorganizationanditsmembers.ThesearereferredtoastheIt,ororganizationsphere.Thissphereincludesthebureaucraticorganizationaswellasthefamilysystemanditsbehaviors,ortheteam'sorgchartandthetechno-economicsystemit'sembeddedin.Aswiththeotherspheres,theItsphereoverlaystheIandWe.Forinstance,yourjobasateamleaderistoremainawareofyourteam’sactionsandneedsinthe“we”sphere.Evenasyouremainawareofwhatyou’rebringingtothemomentinyour“I”sphereandhowyouareallworkingwithinthe“it”sphere-structureofyourmissionandorganization.It’sabouthowyouflowthroughthesedifferentaspectswithheightenedawarenessthroughouttheday.Youwanttobeawareofhowyouareinteractingwiththespheresintermsofyourrolesandexpectations,youraccountabilityandresponsibilities,andevenwhethertherolesoftheorganizationandstandardoperatingproceduresofthesystemathandarestructuredproperlytoserveyouandtheteam.

Asaleader,youarealwayspokingaroundandthinking,“Youknow,wecoulduseasystemforthat”or“Thatsystemisbrokenandweneedtorebuildit.”TheinternalawarenessoftheIsphere,thesenseofresponsibilitiestotheteamintheWesphere,andtheexternalawarenessofthesystemsandstructuresinplaceinyourbusiness,militaryunit,academicornon-profitItsphere,allowyoutotakerapidandeffectiveaction,resolvingproblemsandreflexivelyrespondingtoopportunitiesasaleader.

ThisdistinctionofI,It,andWemayseemobviouswhenwereadaboutit.Right?Butitisnotreadilyapparent.Thisisbecauseweareinsidethebottleandcannotreadthelabel.Itcanbeapowerfulmentalmodeltounderstandwhatisgoingonwithourselvesandothersatanygivenpointintime.Tousethesedistinctionsasamodel,youwillinsertyourselfinacentralintersectionofthethree

spheresandaskyourselfwhatisrightorwrong,workingorout-of-order,inyourownI,We,andItspheres.Anotherapproachistoplaceateammateintothiscross-sectionandseehowtheyfarewiththesamequestion.Themodelgivesusinsightintothenatureoftheindividualandcollectivehumanexperience,whichhelpsusbebetterpeopleandmakebetterdecisions.IbelievethatforUnbeatableMindperformanceweneedtowinallthreespheres.Wedothisbyaligningformaximumresultsinallthreespheres,simultaneously.LetmeuseanexampleofaphysicalaltercationIalmostexperiencedtomakethispoint.

IwaswalkingdownadarkalleyinKualaLumpur,MalaysiaduringmylifeintheSEALs.Isuddenlyfoundmyselfwalkingpastthreeruggedlocalswhostoppedwhattheyweredoingtosizemeup.Crap,Ithought.WhatamIdoingonthisroute?Itwaslate,andtheareahadareputationforcrime,andIhadjustbecomeaWe.IknewthatIneededtomaintainmycoolandprojectstrength,notweakness.IcommittedtowinningmyIspherebybreathingdeeply,feedingmycouragedog,andenvisioningmyselfaspowerfulandincontrol.

Thentheyapproached,andonemadeamovetowardme.Isidesteppedhim,turned,andconfrontedtheothers."Bigmistake—Ihavenomoneyandamnotafraidtofightyouall—andIwillwin."Isaidthosewordswhilemaintainingacalmstateofmindandvisualizingmyselfhandilydefeatingthem.Theysimplygaveeachotheralook,turned,andwalkedintheoppositedirection.TheyhaddecidedthattheWemomentofanaltercationwasnotworthinjurytotheirindividualIselves.Theirroughandtoughfacadedissolvedintothebackground.

Amomentlaterapoliceofficerdrovedownthealleyandgavemeaglancethatsaid,"badidea,American."HadIengagedinafight—theWemomentofconflict—thentheItsphereofthelocallegalsystem,aswellastheculturalnormsandrulesoftheUSNavy—wouldhavecollidedintomyIspherereality,makingmylifemiserableeventhoughIhadnotinstigatedthealtercation.ThekeywasthatinthisepisodeIwoninallthreespheres.Thesevictoriesresultedfromcomprehension.Iwoninmymind(theI),Iwonagainstthecriminalculturalpossibilityofviolenceandtheft(theWe)byavoidingbeingavictimoftheircapriciousact,andIwonthesystem(theIt)bynotbreakinganyrulesorlaws(perceivedorreal)whichwouldhavelandedmeintheblackholeofaMalaysianjailcell.Whenyoucanalignandwininallthreespheressimultaneously,youwillcomeoutontopallthetime.

Letmetryanotherstory.Youmeetagirlthroughanonlinedatingsiteandagreetomeetheratabar.Bothofyouarenervous,andyourIspheresareexcitedabouttheprospectsandthenewnessofthesituation.YourWesphereinteractionisgoingfine,untilsuddenlyabeefymancomesuptothegirlandstartsgivingherarationofshit.Criticalinformationisdeducedinthissituationwithrapidlyshiftingopportunitiesandthreats.Turnsouthe'saboyfriendshehasn'tbrokenupwithyet.Suddenly,yourWespherecollideswiththisnewcharacterandtherulesandnormssharedbetweenhimandsoon-to-beex-girlfriend,causingyourIspheretoratchetuptoawarenesslevelorange(wewilldiscussthatinChapterSeven).Theguyslapsyourdate,soyoujumponhim,andabarroombrawlensures.Thecopsshowup,andthenextthingyouknowyouareinthebackofapatrolcarastheItspherenowhasitswaywithyou.YoureflectthatyourIsphereisnowneitherexcitedabouttheprospectsofthenewfemalerelationshipnorfearfulofthefightwithherthugboyfriend,butwonderinghowtheheckyouaregoingtogetoutofthismess!

Howquicklythingscanchange.Butwhatifyouhadprogressedintothiswholeeveningensuringthatyouwouldwininallthreespheres?Forexample,whatifyourinternalawarenesshadledyoutocomerightoutandaskyourdateifshewasseeinganyoneelse?Shemayormaynothavebeenhonestabouthernot-quite-exboyfriend,butperhapsheranswerwouldhavepromptedyoubothtomeetsomewherenew(whereshe’dbeunlikelytorunintoanotherwooer).Andlet’ssayyouwereintherestaurantandyourradarwasupandrunning.It’slikelyyourawarenesswouldpickupthata

guy,physicallybetrayingearlysignsofagitation,wascheckingyouandyourdateoutalittletooclosely.Youmightevencatchhimbeforeheheadedinyourdirection.

Withyourexternalawarenessfullyoperational,anumberofoptionswouldhavebeenavailablethatwouldhaveresultedingoinghomesafelyratherthantothepolicestation:Youcouldhavepointedhimouttoherandaskedhertogotalktohim,avoidingtheconfrontation(oratleastgettingyououtofthemiddleofit!);youcouldhavesuggestedleavingimmediatelyforanotherdinnerspot;oryoucouldhavechosentoendthedaterightthen.

There’sanotherwaytothinkaboutthethreesphereswithregardtoasituationlikethis,whichwewillcall“winningthethreefights.”MyfriendTonyBlauerteachesanentireself-defensesystembasedonthisprinciple.Thefirstfightisinyourownmind,whichisquestioningwhetheryouhavetheskills,thepower,orotherwisetheabilitytoenterintothisfightandwin.Second-guessingyourselfandnegativeself-talkerodeperformance.Soweneedtolearntowininthemindfirst.Thesecondfightistheactualaltercationitself.Developingfightingskillsareimportanttowinthefight,whichtypicallyalsomeansthatyouwillavoiditaltogetherordeflecttheenergytodefuseit.Thisishardtodoifyoudon’thavethetechnicalskills,andhaven’talreadywoninyourmind.Thethirdfightisagainstthesystemasdescribedinthescenarioabove.So,despitepossessingthementalandphysicalskillstodefendyourselfandthegirlagainstthisthug,itisplausiblethatsomeonecalls911andthecopshaulyouinafterfindingyoustandingovertheguywithbloodyfists.Evenifyouhandilytookthefirstandsecondfight,thatthirdfightisinthelosscolumn.WithUnbeatableMindawarenessyouwillbeabletodiffuseasituationlikethis.Also,ifit’snecessary,you’llhandletheescalationofforcegracefullysothatyoucomeoutofitasaninnocentbystanderwhotriedtohelp,notanotherperpetratorgettingchargedwithassaultandbattery.

YourBackgroundofObviousnessWhilewithSEALTeam3,IdeployedtotheMiddleEasternnationofBahrainforanextended

mission.OnedayIwaswalkingonthenavalbasewithaBahrainiofficerwhenhereachedoverandgrabbedmyhandtoholdit.Itwasanawkwardmomentmadeevenmoresobecausehemadenomovetoreleaseit.Infacthekeptholdingitwhilewestrolledthebaseforaboutforty-fiveminutes.

Asatwenty-eight-year-oldstraightguy,aNavySEALwithastrongdosageoftestosteronestreamingthroughme,everycellinmybodywasscreamingindiscomfort.Tosaythisactrequiredemotionalcontrolformeatthatstageofmylifeisanunderstatement.Iunderstood,though,thatthiswasnormaltohim,partofhisculture,anditwassimplymyownbackgroundbeliefthatmadeitawkward.

Whodeemedthatholdinghandswithamanwaswrong?InBahrain,holdinghandswithanothermaleisashowoffriendshipandloyalty.Doweexpectournormstobethenormsofothercultures?No.Theywillhavetheirownnormsandbeliefsthatwemaynotunderstand.Whatisobvioustootherswemaybecompletelyblindto,andviceversa.Wearequicktojudge,andforthatreasonJesusadmonishedusto"firsttaketheplankoutofyourowneye,andthenyouwillseeclearlytoremovethespeckfromyourbrother ’seye.”(Matthew7:5)

Here’sthepoint:Thoughwemayeasilyseetheshortcomingsofthebeliefsandbehaviorsofothers,weoftenremainignorantofourownlimitations,whichareequalorworse.Icallthisblindnesstothepatternsandhiddenbeliefsthatdrivebehaviorourbackgroundofobviousness,orBOO.ThisBOOislargelyamemory-inducedphenomenonofyourpast-orientedselfanddeep-rootedbeliefsystems.Itincludesthingssuchas:

1. Hidden assumptions about your life based upon the family and place youwere raised,whichshowupasrelativerulesandbeliefs;suchasthinkingpeopleshouldlookoractacertainwayin

ordertobewhat’sconsiderednormaloraccepted.2. Amind primed to think a certain way by the dominantmyths, stories, and language of your

society.Forexample,peoplewhobelievethattheirgovernmentorwayoflifeisright,thebest,and full of value for others,while other groups arewrong, immoral, ignorant, or otherwisehavelessvalue.Eventheentirefunctioningofallsocietiesisbuiltuponastory, toincludetheeconomic, political and businessmemes.Change the story, and the societywill change alongwithit.Anexampleofthisisoccurringbeforeoureyesasthestoryoftheindustrialworld’suseof “unlimited natural resources” is clashingwith a new story of environmental disasters andglobalwarming.Theoldstoryisnotholdinguptorealityformostpeoplewhoareseekingnewstorylinestodefinethefuture.

3. Anemotionalbodycorruptedbynegativeemotionsdeniedortransferredatanearlyage,suchaspeoplewhosufferfrominsecuritiesandfearsofabandonmentbroughtonbyabsenteeparentsorcaregiverswhowithheldaffection.

4. An individual stuffed with overheated media noise and incessent TV and internet usage maybelieve that famous orwealthy people are smarter or better than them; or by concluding theworld is imploding based on the histrionic babble of bad news (note that although bad newsseemstobreakhouruponhour,madeallthemoregrimbyturbulentheadlinesandgraphicsassensational as Times Square, statistically, per capita, we live in the safest andmost abundantperiodintheknownhistoryofmankind).

Imentionedthattheseattributesliedeepinyoursubconsciousmindandemotionalbody.Buttheysurfaceinyourconsciousmindwheretheyshowupasbeliefsandpatternedresponsestothestimuliinyourlife.YourBOOcantripyouupinsomanywaysthatitisamajorreliefwhenyoufinallybegintorootoutflawedBOO,thatshadowypartofourselvesthatwedragaroundlikeakettlebell.UnderstandingBOOwillleadtomoreclarityandbetterdecisions,helpingtoavoidfutureregret.Butdoingshadowworktakesguts.Manywell-intentionedpeoplebackoffwhenconfrontedwiththeirBOO.Why?Becauseitisscary,andoftenpainful,toacknowledgeweaknessesandflawsandthentakethemon.Thebiggertheshadow,themoreoverwhelmingtheobstacletodoingthework.Theseobstaclescancomeinfourflavors:

1. Nothavingthetoolsorperhapsfinancialmeanstohireatherapistorattendtraining2. Aninabilitytomustertherequisitemotivationandenergyforthetask3. Fearoffailurefromdiminishedreputation,lossofjob,etc.(afterall,youwouldhavetoadmit

youaren'tperfect!);thesisterobstacletothisisfearofsuccess,whichinevitablywoulddisruptone'scomfortablestatusquo

4. Nothavingthecouragetoopenupthehoodanddothedeepwork,orsimplyblamingsomeoneelseforyourflaws

AligningwithUniversalLawsYoucan'thidefromyourownbeliefs.Whatyoubelieveincolorseverythoughtyouhaveand

actionyoutake,andhasaprofoundeffectonwhoyoubecome.Likesanddislikes,opinionsofotherpeople,careerchoices,andeventhefoodyoueatareallby-productsofyourbeliefs.Ifyourbeliefsareworkingforyou,thenyoushouldbehugelysuccessful,peaceful,andcontent.Itwillallcomenaturally.Ifthatsoundslikeapipedream,thenperhapsyourbeliefsneedtobechallenged.Infact,whenisthelasttimeyouexaminedandearnestlychallengedthecorebeliefsyouholddearinyour

life?Typicallythisonlyhappenswhenwehitawallandeverythingclatterstoahalt.Youpushthesamecherishedbuttonsonthecontrolpanelbutthemachinecontinuestosputterandbreakdown.It’swithinthesemomentsyouaremostopentoexaminingnewbeliefs.

Socratesmadethiscommentlongago:"Theunexaminedlifeisnotworthliving."Butwhatdoesitmeantoexaminealife?Inparticular,yourlife?Ithinkitisclearthathemeanttoexamineyourcorebeliefsbeforeatrainwreckforcesyouto.Really,doesitmakesensetogothroughlifewithanair-tightassumptionthatalltheideaswehaveingestedareunassailable?Thisisadead-endroadtoanunexaminedlife.Examiningbeliefswillleadtonewlevelsofresolvebecauseyoufinddeepermeaningandclarityaboutthenatureofexistenceitself.

Beliefscomeintwoprimaryforms,relativeanduniversal.Relativebeliefs,suchasIbelieveAmericaisthegreatestnationonEarthorIbelieveIwillbemetbyabunchofvirginsinheaven,areformedthroughhumaninteractionandarerelative(meaningtheychange)baseduponthevalues,expectations,andcenterofgravityoftheindividualandsocietyheorsheisfrom.Theyincludenormssuchasreligiousbeliefsandideasaboutthingssuchassuccess,health,andmorality.Relativebeliefs,whicharetakenaslawbythebelievers,areheavilyinfluencedbyfamiliesoforiginandpopculture.Thedisparate,murky,andelasticnatureofthesebeliefs,though,iswhatleadstosuchdiversityoflivedexperienceonourplanet,forbetterorworse.

Universallawsformthebasisforasetofbeliefsthatwon’talterwithinoracrosscultures.Beliefssuchas,‘IbelieveintheimportanceoftreatingothersasI’dliketobetreated,’or‘Ibelievethereisplentyforeveryoneinthisworld,’areuniversallyunderstoodandexistoutsideoftherealmofhumanselfishness.Thesebeliefsarebeyonddiscriminationorjudgmentofrace,class,orcreed.Whatisuniversallytrueformeisalsoforuniversallytrueforyou,regardlessofthecontextinwhichweareraised.Forexample,nomatterwhereyougointhisworld,ifyoutreatpeoplethewayyou’dliketobetreated,youwillgetmorepositiveresultsthanifyoutreatthemlikedirt.Itdoesn’tmatterwhichdeitytoldyouthiswasagoodidea—it’suniversallytrue.Mostpeopleareraisedinaculturebiasedtowardscarcitybecauseit’sbeenhardwiredintomoderneconomicsystems,butthemomentyouchoosetocheckoutsideofthat,everythingchanges.Itisuniversallytruethatifyouseetheworldasabundant,thatabundancebecomesyourreality.

Philosophersofallageshavenotedthatgoodnesscomesfromaligningwithuniversallawsandinternalizingtheseuniversallawsintobeliefs,whilethepotentialforweakness,evenevil,comesfrommoralrelativism.Moralrelativistshaveendlessargumentsaboutwhethergoodandevilarepartofthehumancondition,leavingitachoicetomovetowardoneortheother,orwhethertheseaspectsofrealityexistindependentofthehuman.

OurapproachatUnbeatableMindisassumetheroleofbeingyouownscientistsandtestatheoryoutonourselves.Weobservetheresultsthenimplementwhatworksandthendiscardwhatdoesn't.Mypersonalexperiencehasledmetobelievethattheworlditselfdoesn'tcaremuchaboutme,butwhenIalignedmybeliefsandactionswithUniversalLawsthenmylifeexperienceimproveddramatically.Toactualizethiskindofaresult,anexaminationoforiginalunderlyingbeliefsisnecessarytoseewhicharerelativeandwhichuniversal.Ifabeliefisrelative,thenIrecommendyouputitunderthemicroscopeandbepreparedtoupgradeordiscardit.Ifitisuniversal,thenaskwhetheryoufullyunderstandandappreciateitspower.Alsoaskwhetheritispossibleyouholdacompetingrelativebeliefthatcancelsitout.

Hereisanexampleofacancelingbelief:Yousubscribetoauniversalbeliefinabundance,thatthereisenoughtogoaroundandthereisnoreasontohoardorseescarcity—noneedtobuttintoalineorstealsomeone’ssteakoffthegrill.However,youcouldsimultaneouslybelievethatyouarenotworthyoftheabundanceyoudreamofbecauseyouwerebornpoor,lacktherightopportunities,didn'tgototherightcollege,orarestuckinadead-endjob.Inthisbasicexample,itisapparentthat

thoughyoucouldbelieveintheconceptofabundance,therelativebeliefandcorrespondingemotionalstatearoundyourself-worthcontradictsandcancelsitout.Notahealthysituation.

Theconfluenceofyourbeliefs,values,expectations,andlevelofconsciousnessformsafoundationforyouroverallbeliefinyourselfasaperson.Thisimpactsyourwillpowerandself-esteem.Inotherwords,ifyouhangyourhatonrelativebeliefs,thenyouareatriskofrelyingonweakoroutdatedperspectives,emptyvalues,andperhapsevenego-drivenexpectationstopropupyourwillpowerandyourdrivetogetthejobdone,whateveritis.Televisionexecutivesandtheirad-buyingsponsorswilleagerlybeatyourservicetohelpout.Ifyourbeliefsaregroundedinuniversallaws,however,thenyourresolveandesteemwillbestrongbecauseyouuniversenowhasyourback!Itallhastodowithcertainty—howcertainareyouthatyou’redoingtherightthing?Howconfidentareyouinyourdecisions?Usebuildingblocksthatarerelativeandyourentirebeliefsystemislikeahouseofcards,readytobetoppledbyameagerwispofunexpectedrevelation.Buildonafoundationofuniversalbeliefs,andyou’reonsturdygroundthatisunlikelytowaver.

Letmegiveyouanotherexample:alotofguysinthemilitaryareintheservicebecausetheybelievethatAmericanmethodsofgovernment,economicmanagement,andsocialstructuresarethebestintheworldandit’sourresponsibilitytospreadtheseidealsandpracticestootherswhoneedoursupport.Thisisarelativebelief.Whathappenstothesesortsistheygetsentoverseastowarandareexposedtootherculturesthatseethingsdifferently.Suddenlytheseguysarethinking,“Youknowwhat?Thesepeopledon’treallywanttolivethewaywedo.Theydon’twantushereatall.We’renotheroestothem.”Theirentirebeliefsystemisshattered,andsuddenlythey’reuncertainaboutwhytheyareoutthereriskingtheirlife.

Nowinsomecases,thisisn’tentirelyabadthing.Whenyourworldviewshiftsandyourealizeyou’vebeenlivingonabeliefsystemthat’snotringingtrueanylonger,andyoucanpositivelyintegratethatintoanewbeliefsystem,guesswhatwecancallthat?Growth.Theproblemisthatduringtheseshifts,you’reuncertain,andallofasuddeneverythinggetscloudy.Yourcommitmenttoataskmightstarttoslidebecauseyoucan’tconnecttothat“why”anymore.Atbest,thiscanbeaserioussetback.Atworst,suchasinamomentofcrisis,thisuncertaintymaygetyoukilled.Thespacebetweentheoldandnewpresentsusachoice:topressboldlyforwardintotheunknown,ortoslinkbackintofamiliarterritory.

Likemanymilitaryguys,inmymid-twentiesIbelievedthatservingmycountrywasimportanttoourwayoflifebyprojectingforceforglobalsecuritywhilespreadingdemocraticidealsintheworld.Twentyyearslater,myexperienceshadcausedmetofindflawsinthatrelativebelief.NotthatIstoppedbeingafanoftheUnitedStatesormilitaryservice,butIrealizedthatothercultureshavevaluesandwaysoflifethatsuitthem,andthattheymaybebetteroffiftheydidnotadoptawesternconsumereconomicmodelandourformofdemocracy.IsawthatmyearliermotivationswerefueledbyarelativebeliefinAmericanexceptionalism.Thisservedmewellatthetime,untilIbegantoalignmorewiththeuniversallawof“donoharmunlessinself-preservation”andabeliefthatindividualsandcultureshavearighttoself-determinationwithincertaininternationallyacceptedhumanrightsboundaries.Ihadtorealignmy“why”asaworld-centricwarriorcommittedtopromotingtheidealsoutlinedinthisbook.Ultimately,thisnewworld-centricwarriorconsciousnessnudgedmetoretirefromthemilitaryandusemyskillstoservethroughteachingandinspiringanewgenerationofwarriorsandleaders.

Bottomline:Anentrenchedbeliefinyourselfandyourmissionwillcomefromactinginalignmentwithuniversaltruths.Withthisapproachtolivinganexaminedlife,youmayaccelerateyourgrowthtowardamultidimensionalandintegratedperspective,leavingabsolutismandrigiditybehind.Onlythenwillyoufinduncommonresolvebyyoursidetobackyouuponworthypursuits.

Herearesomeuniversallawstoreflectupon.Youwillrecognizemanyoftheseandyoumay

beabletoaddotherstothelist:

1. Thelawofcauseandeffect:thislawstatesthatforeverycausethereisaneffect.ItisalsoknownintheEastaskarma.StudytheBaghavagita.

2. Thelawofabundance:thislawstatesthattheworldhasenoughforeveryonewhochoosestoseetheworldasabundant.StudyPeterDiamandes’Abundance.

3. Thelawofwinninginyourmindfirstbeforetakingthefirstaction:thislawsaysthatyouwillachievevictoryeachandeverytimeifyoufirstseeit,sayit,andbelieveitinyourmind.StudySunTzu'sTheArtofWar.

4. The lawofattraction:This lawoperatessomewhatpassivelyonyourenvironment. It says thatwhatyoufixyourmindon,youwillattractintoyourlife.Likeattractslike.StudyJamesAllen’sAsAManThinketh.

5. Thelawofreceiving:thatyoureceiveinproportiontothevalueyoudeliverinlife.6. TheGoldenRule:dountoothersasyouwouldhavethemdountoyou.StudytheNewTestament.7. Thelawofsurrender:thislawstatesthatinsteadofpushingagainstthetide,surrendertoit,and

youwillfindenlightenmentandpeace.StudyLaoTzu’sTaoTeChing.8. The lawof forgiveness: this lawsays that ifyouforgiveyourselfandothers,youwill release

negativityandfindhappiness.StudythelifeofNelsonMandela.9. The law of non-attachment: this law directs us to detach from material things, ideas, and

ultimatelytolifeitselfforlastingcontentment.StudythewritingsoftheDalaiLama.10. The law of nonresistance: this law is similar to non-attachment, but it specifically applies to

nonviolence. It states that you should nevermeet forcewithmore force. This response neversolves anything and inmost cases it justmakes thingsworse.Fightingviolencewithviolenceshouldbealastresortandonlydoneinself-defense.StudythelivesofGandhiandMartinLutherKing.

11. Thelawoffocus:Similartothelawofattraction,thiscomplementarylawisveryactive,statingthatwhateveryoufocusonwithintensityanddurationwillcometopass.StudyNapoleonHill'sbookThinkandGrowRich.

Nowlet'sturnourattentiontothepracticalmatterofhowonegoesaboutexaminingtheirbeliefstoclearthemuptoalignmorecloselywithuniversallaws.Iproposethreeself-awarenesspractices,whichIprovideabriefdescriptionofbelow.Ileaveittoyoutoinvestigateeachandintegratewhatworksforyouintoyourtraining.

InsightMeditationInsightmeditationhasyouselectaninternalstorytomeditateupon.Theawarenessofthestory

cancomefromcomparisontohowothersviewasituation,suchasapoliticalviewpointoryourrelationshipwithmoney.Oftentheseandotherrelativebeliefsaregreatlyinfluencedbyourfamilyoforiginandrootlocalculture,andassuchhavedeeppsychologicalandemotionalattachment.Ratherthanjustassumingyouarerightandeveryoneelseisoffontheissue,meditatedeeplyonitfrommultipleperspectives.Allowyourawarenesstorestonwhatcomesup,tryingtopenetrateintotheobjectofyourattention.Asyousinkdeeperintotheprocess,letgoofactivelythinkingaboutit.Rather,justobserveitandquietlytakenotewhatcomesup.Whatcomesupwillbeinsightsaboutyourpointofviewandattachmenttothebeliefsystemsofyourpastthatmaynotserveyouwellanylonger.Thisprocesscanbetransformative.Itcanleadyoutowardthetransformationofcorerutted,underlyingthoughtsandbehaviorsforthebetter.

Allowmetoshareapersonalexamplewithyou.Aftergettingmiredinseveralbadbusinesspartnerships,IusedthispracticetogaininsightonwhyIkeptrepeatingthepattern.Afterafewweeksofinsightmeditatingonwhatbeliefsandbehaviorswereleadingmeintotheserelationships,IhadthedistinctrevelationthatIwasoverlytrustingofthosewhocameintomybusinessorganizationalsphere.IhadlearnedtotrustmyteammateswithmylifeintheSEALs,whichledtothemistakenjudgmentofgivingbusinesspartnersthesamelevelofpuretrust.Irealizedthatintheprivatesectortherewerefolksfromallplateausofconsciousnesswithdifferingdegreesoftrustworthiness.SothoughIwasdiscouragedbythisuncomfortablefact,Ihadtolearntoverifybusinesspartnersbeforetrustingtheyhadmyback.

ContemplationContemplationissimilartoinsightmeditation,butwithonebigdifference.Insteadofreflecting

internallyonabelieforbehavior,youwillfindsomethingexternalthatinspiresyoutocontemplate.Withthispracticeyouwillchooseasourcesuchasoneofthestudymaterialsmentionedabovetoinvestreadingandthinkingtimeinto,openingyourselftonewideasandmeanings.Thenyouwillcontrastyourpersonalactions,integrityandstandardswiththeobjectofyourcontemplation.Youwillreflectuponhowyoucanmoveinthedirectionsuggestedorthedirectionthatyourwitnessknowstobebest.Thiscanbeverymotivatingandleadtoastrongdesiretogrowtowardtheidealpresentedintheexternalsource.

RecapitulationFinally,thevisualizationprocessofrecapitulationisanincrediblyusefultooltounroot

negativityandabolishBOObeliefsandbehaviorsthatareholdingyouback.Theformalprocessofrecapitulationistousevisualizationtorevisitandreviewyourlifeatthosetimeswhereyouthinkandfeelyougotstuck.AncientToltecwarriortraditionrequiredyoungwarrioraspirantstorecapitulatetheirentirelivesbeforebeinggrantedwarriorstatus.Needlesstosaythistooksometime,patience,andcourage—likelyimpracticalforourpurposes.

Letmeofferapersonalexampleofhowpowerfulrecapitulationcanbe.Inmyearlytomid-twentiesIhadakindofgeneralizedanxietyinrelationships,bothromanticandevenatwork.Itmadesomeprofessionalmeetingsuncomfortableformeasanxietycausedmetoprojectsomeofmyfearsontoothers.Andforalongtime,itaffectedmyabilitytoconnectwithwomensomuchthatIprettymuchscrewedupeveryrelationshipthatheldanypromise.Iwouldbeheadoverheelsforsomeamazingwoman,butafterafewweeksI’dfindmyselfpullingaway,orshewouldgetfedupwithmyuttersilenceandbail.IhadoneparticularlypainfulexperiencewhereIhadagirlfriendthatIknewIwantedtobreakupwith,butIwassoincapableofcommunicatingauthenticallyandbeingvulnerablethatIstayedwithherfortwoadditionalyears.IknewthatIdidn’twanttobewithher,andIthinksheknewit,too,soyoucanimagineitwasn’taterrifictwoyearsforeitherofus.Seemslikeasimplething,butIdon’tthinksituationslikethatareuncommon.Especiallyformenofmygenerationwhowereraisedbyfathersthatweren’tadeptatmodelingintimacyandgoodcommunication..

Andultimatelythat’swhatIrealized:IwasemotionallystuntedbecauseofepisodesinmyyouthwheretherelationshipIhadwithmyfathercausedmeanxiety.Evenpain.Itwasn’tthathewasabadguy,butforhisgeneration,certainthingsjustweren’tconsidered“manly.”Guysdidn’ttalkabouttheirfeelings,andtheyweren’ttaughtanythingaboutintimacy.Theoneemotiontheyfeltcomfortableexpressingwasusually—youguessedit—anger.Therejustwasn’talotofnurturinggoingon,andthoughdisciplinecanbeusefulwhendonesensitively,whenappliedinangeritcancausefurtherdisconnect.Inretrospect,IsawthatIstartedshuttingdownprettyearly.Thismadeitdifficultforme

toconnectwithotherslaterinlifeandwasstillhauntingmeinmyyoungadulthood.Ididn'twantthisaspectofmyBOOtocontinuetoinfluencemenegatively,soIcommittedto

goingbackinmymindtorelivetheseepisodesvisuallyandemotionally.IspenttimeusingaprocesscalledEMDR(EyeMovementDesensitizationandReprocessing)where,withaqualifiedtherapistguidingmeusingthecombinationofeyemovementsandvisualization,whicheffectivelyrewiresthememories.ImentallyrevisitedsomeofthosechildhoodmomentswhereIwasdisciplinedharshlyorwhereIwasmadetofeelfarlessthannurtured.AsIdidso,Iforgavemyfather,understandingthathewaswhohewasatthetimeandthathewasusingthebestinformationandtoolsthathehad.Ialsohadtoreconnectwithmypastself,mychildself,andlethimknowthatitwasn’thisfault—there’satechniquetothiswhereyouessentiallytalktoyourselfandreplacethewoundedselfimagewithanemotionallymature,wholeyou.

Itmaysoundairy-fairytosomeofyou,buttrustme,thisprocesshasaseismiceffectonyournervoussystem.Injustafewofthesesessions,theanxietyIexperiencedcompletelyvaporized.

Toputitinanutshell,thisrecapitulationallowedmetoseewhatcausedtheproblemtobeginwith,toforgive,andtounblockemotionsorreconstitutethosethathadbeentransferredintosurvival-modefeelings.Recapitulationisdistinctfromobsessingaboutthepast,atrapIvigorouslycautionyouagainstfallinginto.Obsessingaboutthepastcanonlynegativelyaffectyourfocus,concentration,self-esteem,confidence,andmore.It’sdistracting.Recapitulation,ontheotherhand,allowsyoutorevisitthepastwithapurposesothatyoucanlearnsomethingaboutyourselfandgrowfromit,puttingpainfulmemoriestorestonceandforalland,fromtheirshackles,freeingyourfuture.TheeveningritualoftheUnbeatableMindAcademyisashortformrecapitulationofyourday,whichpreventsyoufromcarryinganynegativityforward.

JournalingOnelastmethodbeforewemoveon:Irecommendyoutakeupjournalingtorecordandwrite

yourreflectionsduringanyoftheseawarenessandmentaltrainingsessions.Journalingisanexcellentwaytosewyourinsightsintothethoughts,ideas,fears,desires,andotherthingsthatcomeupininsightmeditation,contemplation,andrecapitulation.Whenyoujournalyouwillobservepatternsinyourthinking.Further,theworkofwritingitselfisexerciseforthebrain.Infact,researchistellingusthattheuseoftheopposablethumbisdirectlyrelatedtoabigchunkofourneo-cortex’sdevelopment.Sodevelopingthehabitofjournalingisagreatwaytobothreflectwhilesharpeningthesawofyourmentalpowers!

ChapterSix:TrustAndHumilityTheultimatevalueoflifedependsuponawarenessandthepowerofcontemplationratherthanupon

meresurvival.—Aristotle

"Q"wasatalentedandrespectedenlistedSEAL.Hegavetheappearanceofbeingfit,skilledandpossessingstrongcharacter.TobeaSEAL,onehastoexhibitunusualcharactertobeginwith.However,Q’sactionsduringasingleoperationprovedtomehowmuchcharactermustbeingraineddailyandconstantlyrefined.Ifyouletyourguarddown,youcouldexposeyourselftolapsesofjudgmentandcharactererosion,asQdid.

Ononeparticularlydangerousship-boardingmission,Qheldakeypositionwithintheteam.Halfwaythroughtheop,whileunderthehulloftheship,intheblacknessoftheunderwaternight,thingsbegantospinoutofcontrol.Inafewcriticalmomentswhenweweretransitioningfromdivestatustothesurface,Qlostfocusandstruggledtocompletehismission-criticaltask.Thistriggeredacascadingfailuretorippledownthediverlineasourrigsplungedtothebottomofthebay.Myplatoon’sseniorenlisteddiverwasdraggedtothebottomoftheocean,wherehewastrappedwithoutoxygen.Itcouldhaveendedindisaster,butfortunatelyhewasasanexceptionaldiverwhocouldholdhisbreathforoversixminutes.Hewasalsoverycoolinacrisis.Thechiefdissectedtheproblemandwasabletocuthimselffreeandascendafterseveralnerve-rackingmomentsforthoseofusonthesurface.Thisunderwaterdramaplayedoutbeyondourviewbecausethedarkrenderedthesituationimperceptible,butlateronduringthemissiondebriefandinsomeprivateconversationswithQ,Iputtogetheracompleteanddisturbingpicture.

WhatactuallyledtothebreakdownwithQwasnottheobvioustechnicalscrew-up,butalessobviousfailureofcharacter.Hehadbeguntousearecreationaldrugwhileoffduty,rationalizingthatwhathedidonhisowntimewashisownbusinessandwhatwedidn'tknowcouldn'thurtus.Butforeliteoperators,thejobandcommitmenttotheteamrequiresuntarnished,100-percentfocusandmentalclarity.Anythingshortofthatputseveryoneatriskintheintenseandconfusingplacesweoperate,asitdidinthissituation.LuckyforQandusallthatthingsdidnotgoworse.

Inthehigh-riskenvironmentsSEALsoperatein,characterflawsareexposedfast.Butinbusinessorotherdomainsinlife,itmaytakelongerforaflawtohaveitsinevitablenegativeblowback.Idon’tusetheword“inevitable”lightly;youmaygetbyforaperiodoftime,longenoughtoseesomesuccess,beforetheresultsofaweakcharacterbegintodismantleyourefforts,butitwillhappen.Tosucceedatthehighestlevelsasaleader,youmusthabituatethevirtuesofawarriorintoyourcharacterfortruecharacterexcellence.Thenthesevirtueswillensureyourdestiny.

Virtuesaretheheartofone’svaluesystem,whichcanbesomewhatsubjectiveasweeachmustdecidewhatwevalueandwhatvaluethatthingorqualityhasrelativetootherthingsandqualities.Termslike“familyvalues,”forexample,onlyhavemeaninginthecontextofthepersontalkingaboutthem—whattheyarereferringtoiswhattheyfindvaluablewithregardtofamilies.Virtues,ontheotherhand,representsomethingmorehard-cutandobservable.Wecanallprettymuchagreeonwhatbraveryorhonestylookslike,eventhoughourparticularculturemayplaceauniqueformofcurrencyonthesevirtuesascomparedto,say,faithorcharity.

Virtues,likevalues,arenothingmorethanwords—unlesswechoosetopracticethemandintegratethemintoourcharacterinprivateandpublic.Portrayingavirtueinpublicbutbetrayingthatsamevirtueinyourprivatelifemeansyoumightaswellbeactinginamovie.It’snotreal,andit’snotthesameastrulyembodyingthevirtue.Unfortunatelypublicfiguresareoftencluelessaboutthisprinciple.Greekphilosophersweresoadamantaboutcharactervirtuesthattheybelievedtheydefined

one'svalueasacitizen.Heraclitussaidthat"characterisdestiny,"andAristotletoldusthat"toenjoythethingsweoughttoenjoy…hasthegreatestbearingonexcellenceofcharacter,"and"noonewhodesirestobecomegoodwillbecomegoodunlesshedoesgoodthings."Asfarasmorerecenthistory,RalphWaldoEmersonadvisedthat"characterishigherthanintellect,"andAlbertSchweitzersaidthat"exampleisnotthemainthinginlife…itistheonlything!"Thesephilosophersareinagreementthatyouractionsdefineyourcharacter.Itisn'twhatyouthinkorsaythatismostimportant;itistheactionsyoutake,especiallywhennooneislooking.Sothequestionis:Doyouactwithvirtuesofexcellence?Ifsothenyoudon'tneedtofinishthischapter.Myfeelingisthatwecanallworkonthecharacteraspectofourselvesaslongaswelive,soIhopeyoureadon!

Withouranalysisitshouldbeclearthattheseexcellencevirtuesareskillsthatmustbecarefullyselectedandthentrainedintobedrockpatterns.Sowhatvirtueshavethemostpowerforus?Iwillofferyoumytopsixexcellencevirtues,whichwillprovidefodderforalifetimeofworkonyourpathtocharactermastery.

TrustworthinessThefirstvirtuethatQcompromisedthatgrimnightunderthehulloftheship,was

trustworthiness.Trustworthinessisthegluethatholdsrelationshipsandteamstogether.Itisevidencedwhenanindividualdisplaysqualitiesinactiondeemeddependablebyothers,suchas:

1. They are aligned in thought, word, and deed and thus display a predictable integrity in theiractions.

2. Theyfollowthroughonallcommitments.

3. Theyarecourageousanddon'tshirkfromresponsibilitiesorchallengingassignments.

4. Theydon'trunorhideduringacrisisbutratherstepuptoleadandhelpout.

5. Theyarecompetentenoughtogetthejobdonewellandareunafraidtoasktherightquestions!

6. Theyaresupportiveoftheteamanddelegateandtrustthem.

StephenM.R.Covey,inhis2009book,TheSpeedofTrust,offersasimpleformulaforhowtrustspeedstransactionsbetweenindividualsandorganizations:

IncreasedTrust=IncreasedSpeedandDecreasedCostDecreasedTrust=DecreasedSpeedandIncreasedCost

Considerlifepre-9/11andthecreationoftheTSAbureaucracy.Before9/11wehadahighleveloftrustinairtravelasasociety.Duetothesevereandshockingbreachoftruston9/11bytheterrorists,thespeedofairtravelasawholedecreasedbyroughlyanhourdomesticallyandoftenmorethantwohoursinternationally.Yourtimeandout-of-pocketcostshavealsogoneupsignificantlytocovertheexpenseofnewproceduresandequipmentforenhancedsecurity.Youcanapplythisformulatoanyinteractionbetweenindividuals,teams,organizationsandmarketsandfindthatitholdstrue.

Sotrustworthinessisacharactertraitthathasreal-worldtransactionalimplicationsbeyondone'spersonalorbusinessreputation.InQ'scasethetrusthebreachedduetohisuntrustworthybehavioralmostkilledateammateandjeopardizedamission.Inabusinessdealing,abreachoftrustcancauseatransactiontofail,candegradeone'sreputation,andincreasecoststoallparties.Personal

andteamtrustworthinessmustbeplacedonthehighestprioritylist,measured,andpracticed.Buthow?

Firstlet'slookatafewcommonmythsabouttrustandthendispelthem.

1. Trustworthinessisasoftskillonly.Wrong.Trustisacombinationofsoftandhardskills.

2. Trustworthinessisdevelopedslowly,overtime.Wrong.Itcanbecreatedanddestroyedquickly.Thekeyistodevelopthehabitofmaintainingtrustworthinessatalltimes,whichtakesdiscipline.

3. Trustworthiness is just solely about integrity.Wrong. Though integrity is critical for trust todevelopbetweenparties,itgoesbeyondintegrityandspeakstoone'sentirecharacter.

4. Oncelost,trustworthinessisgoneforever.Wrong.Youcanmakeamends,sayyouaresorry,andthenrebuildtrust.

5. In business, it is simply too risky to trust. Wrong. It is essential to have trust for optimalperformanceinbusiness,asinallareasoflife.Ifyouaretrustworthyandmustdealwithapartyyouknowtobeuntrustworthyorthatyousimplydon’tknowwell(aprettycommonscenarioinbusiness situations), then trust cannot exist.However, this doesn’tmeanyou can’t dobusinessperiod.Simplytransactbusinessandverifyresults, lettrustbuild,andremainaware.AsIsaid,though,realprogressisonlymadewhenbothpartieshaveahighleveloftrustworthiness.

6. Trustworthiness is only relevant to individuals and teams. Wrong. Organizations have areputationbaseduponthecollectivetrustworthinessofeachpersoninit.Theirtrustworthinessisdisplayedinhowtheircustomers,peers,andsocietytreatthem.

Whenitcomestodevelopingtrustworthiness,whatbehaviorscanyouworkontoturntrustworthinessintoavirtue?Herearesomeideas:

1. Talkstraight—avoidspins,lies,doubletalk,andflattery.

2. Demonstraterespect—youwantanddeserverespect,sobeginbyshowingrespectforothers.

3. Create transparency—avoid withholding information and keeping secrets unless absolutelynecessarytoprotectintellectualpropertyortopreventsomeonegettinghurt.

4. Rightwrongsquickly—weallscrewup,soadmitit,andrepairthingsasfastaspossible.

5. Showloyalty—don'ttakeallthecreditorsellothersout.Don'tgossip!

6. Delivertheresultsthatyoupromise.Betteryet,exceedthem.

7. EarnyourTridenteveryday—meaningstrivetoimproveyourtrustworthinesseveryday.

8. Clarifyexpectations—ensure that theexplicitand implicit tasksofyourmissionand those thatyoudelegatearecrystalclear.

9. Practiceaccountability—startwithyourself,andthendemanditofyourteamandorganization.Butthebuckalwaysstopswithyou.

10. Practiceauthenticlistening.

11. Communicate with brutal honesty—use the brief (pre-action review of the plan) and debrief

process(post-actionreviewofwhathappened) tokeepcommunicatingatall levelssoyoucanalwaysbelearningandhelpingotherslearn.

12. Learn to trustothersbydelegatingandgivingmore responsibilityand thenprovidingsupportwheninevitablefailuresoccur.

Thekeyistoopenupthedialogueabouttrustworthinesswithyourteam,andbewillingtoexposeyourselftovulnerabilityanddirect,honestfeedbackfromthem.Youmaybesurprisedatwhatyoulearnaboutyourselfandyourteammates,andthediscussionalonewillincreasetrustbetweenyou.Buildingtrustbyforgingourowntrustworthinesswillallowloyaltytoalsorisewiththetide.

LeadershipThewordsleadershipandintegrityoftenshowuponthevaluelistsofmostindividualsand

organizations.Butthelistiswherethingsoftenend.Leadershipandintegrityarerelativeuntilmeasuredandframedwithapositiveethos.Inessence,“integrity”reallyjustmeansthatwhatyouthink,say,anddoareinalignment,soitcouldbeeitherpositiveornegative.Inaddition,leadershipwithoutpositiveintegrityismanipulation.Youwouldbehard-pressedtoarguethatHitlerdidn'texhibitintegrityinthought,word,anddeed.However,hiswasanegativeego,ethnocentric-basedintegritythatcausedhisleadershiptobemassmanipulationandcontroloftheGermanpsyche.Leadershipintegritywascompletelymissingfromthisequation.ThehorrificresultwithHitlerwasxenophobia,deepsuspicion,war,andethniccleansing.Mypointisthatintegrityinleadershipmustbeframedwithinapositiveserviceattitudeinordertobuildtrustandloyaltyandleadtohonorableresults.

LeadershipexpertWarrenBennissaysthat"leadershipisdoingtherightthing,whilemanagementisdoingthingsright."Thisisacleversayingandgetsyouthinkingaboutthedistinctionsbetweenleadingandmanaging.Leadinghastypicallybeenassociatedwithcreatingavision,craftingamissionandmotivatingateamtofollowyoutotheendandbacktoaccomplishit.Management,ontheotherhand,hasbeenassociatedwiththetechnicalsideoforganizingtheeffortsoftheindividualsandteamswithinthestructureoftheorganization.Thisisaprettyold-fashionedidea,Ibelieve,asthebureaucraticmodeloforganizingfallsawayintoself-managingcompaniesandintegrallyinformedorganizations.Ultimatelywhatwearecomingtoisaneedforleaderstobeexcellentself-managersandinspiredleaderswithintegrity.Wecansimplylookatthisasleadershipintegrity,wheretheleader ’sthoughts,wordsanddeedsarealignedinI,WeandIt.

Aligningthoughts,words,anddeedsinatruthfulandhonorablemannertakesseriouswork,especiallyafterlearninghowmessedupourthinkingcanbeinthenextchapter.Itrequirescourageanddisciplinetodothework,butthisissuper-critical.Thedecisionswearerequiredtomakearegoingtobeeventougherinthefuture.Mistakescanleadtograveconsequences:recallPresidentClinton'sbehaviorinoffice.Mr.Clintonwasasmart,pleasant,andremarkablyeffectivepolitician.However,hewasahorribleself-managerandlackedleadershipintegrity,asevidencedbyhisbreachingthetrustofhisofficeandthenlyingaboutit.HerehewasthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,anofficethatideally,ifnotimplicitly,requiresahighdegreeoftrustworthiness,honorandintegrity,andhewassleepingwiththeinternsandlyingaboutitunderoath.Therewasnointegritytobefoundbetweenhisthoughts,deeds,andactions.Moreover,therewasnohonor.Hestillcouldn'ttakethe"hardrightaction"eventhoughheknewwhattheconsequencescouldbe.Thesegapingcharacterdefectsareasuresignthatleadershipintegritywasabsent.Thoughonemayaspireto,andevenattain,positionswithtremendouspowerandinfluence,characterexcellencewillremainbeyondone'sgrasp

withoutthevirtueofleadershipintegrity.ASEALmentorofmine,CaptainJimO’Connell,usedtosaythatawayto“gutcheck”for

leadershipintegritywastoaskifyou’dbethrilledtoreadaboutyou’rependingactioninthenexteditionoftheNewYorkTimes.Ifindthistobeagreatguideline,oneIamsurePresidentClintonwisheshehadappliedwhencontemplatinghisnextactionwithMs.Lewinski!

OnetimeduringaSEALFITtrainingoneofthestudentsdisplayedalackofpersonalleadershipintegritywhenhedidanabout-face10feetbeforetheturnaroundpointonarun.Itwasdarkandhethoughthewasalone,buthewasheldaccountablebyacoachobservingfromtheshadows.Cheating,especiallyonthesmall,seeminglyinconsequentialthings,degradesintegrityandchipsawayattrust.Theshort-termgainissoondemolishedbytheregret,shameanddegradationofrespectthataccompaniestheinevitableexposureofthelie,nottomentiontheanxietythatenvelopsyouwhilelivinginfearofexposure!Gooddecision-makingsimplycannotoccurundertheseconditions.

However,aligningthoughts,words,andactionsinleadershipintegritydoesn'tmeanyouhavetoalwaystellthetruthorturninafriendwhoslipsup.Therearesituationswherewisdomdictatesamoresensitiveresponseoverablanketpolicyofblurtingoutthetruthtoanyonewhoiswithinearshot.IwasoncecontactedbyayoungladylookingforinformationaboutherSEALdad'sheroicexploitsinVietnam.TheproblemwasthatherdadwasneveraSEAL,ratherhewasposingasone.Thenewsputmeinadilemma:Wasitmyjobtoexposethisguy’sfraudandprotecttheintegrityoftheSEALname?Myinitialreactionwastodojustthat.Buthowwouldthegirl'slifechangewhenshefoundoutherfatherhadbeenlyingforherentirelife?Iwonderedifitwasmydutytobethejudge,juryandexecutionerinthiscase?Idecidedtheanswerwasno;Iwouldnotexposetheman'sfraudtoheranddashtheirrelationship;ratherIwouldleaveittohimtolivewithhisdishonor.WhenIrespondedtoheremail,Isimplysaidthattheinformationshewasseekingwasnotavailabletome.

IfyoufollowedalonginSection1ofthebookandinChapterFive,thenyou’rewellonyourwaytodevelopingleadershipintegrityandactingwithhonor.IntheUnbeatableMindtrainingwehaveapracticeIcall“authenticcommunication.”Thisisagreattooltodevelopleadershipintegrityasitpertainstoaligningyourthoughtsandwords.Thepracticeistofirstpausewithabreathbeforespeaking,andthenspeakonlyif:

Whatyouhavetosayistrue,asbestasyoucandetermine.Andwhatyouhavetosayishelpfulorwise.Andifwhatyouhavetosaycomesfromaplaceofloveandrespect—meaningit’spositive.

Thenyouwillfollowupyourwordswithactiontofulfillyourcommitments.Whenroutinelyhabituated,thisauthenticcommunicationtoolwillleavewordsofnegativityandlowvalueunspoken,andwhatisspokenwillhaveincreasedpower.Thentheactionsthatfollowwillbeanchoredintruth,wisdom,andloveaswell.Myguessistheworldwouldalsobebetterforthesilencethatwouldresultifweallpracticedthis!

HumilityFollowingandleadingaretwosidesofthesamecoin;youcan'thaveonewithouttheother.

Thosewhoseektoleadwithoutbeingwillingtofollowmaygainsomeegoblastintheshortrun,buttheytypicallyfailinthelonggame.Thisattitudeofservingthroughbeingagreatfollowerisnotatrickortacticofleadershipbutratheranothercharactertraitthatdevelopedthroughthetwinforcesofexperienceandintent.

Takingyoureyesoffyourselfandservingyourteammatesrequiresthehumilitytofollowand

supportthemmostofthetime.Whenthetimeorcircumstancesareappropriateforyoutolead,youboltoutfrontandleadbyexample,withintegrityandinspiration.

Thus,Ifeelthebestwaytocultivatecharacterexcellenceandauthenticleadershipisnottoleapinimmediatelyto"earnyourleadershipstripes"(unlessyouhavenochoice)buttoactwithhumilitybywatchingcarefullyandbeinghelpfulasafollower.IntheSEALs,officersaretheleadersresponsibleforthemission,butateveryphasethereisusuallysomeoneelseleadingthecharge—forinstanceoneSEALwillleadthedive,anotherwillleadthejump,athirdwillleadthedirectactionraid,andsoon.Itisexpectedthattheofficersgetoutofthewayandlettheseguysdowhattheydobest.Theofficerswhodon’tlearntotrusttheirteammates,andtofollow,usuallydon’tfarewell.Inallowingsubordinatestoleadkeypartsofthemission,I’mgivingthemtheopportunitytogrow,tolearn,tofail.Andinreality,mostofthoseSEALs,inthosesituations,hadmoreskillsandexperiencethanIinthatarena.Soyeah,Ioftenfoundmyselfservingandsupportingotherstoleadinmystead.Ihadtodevelopthehumilitytocheckmyegoandsay,“Thisistheirturn.They’resmarteratthisorthey’rebetteratthis,orthey’vegotthebetteridea,orthey’restronger.”IhadtorecognizethattheremaybeinstanceswhereIwouldbefatiguedorinjured,orforwhateverreasonjustwouldn’tbeasequippedtomaketherightcall.Ihadtolearntosay,“You’vegotthis,buddy,becauseyou’regoingtodoabetterjobthanIam.”Youcan’tbegoodateverything,allthetime.Knowingthatisthekindofhumilitythatearnstrustandloyalty.

WhenIwasanewlymintedensignintheSEALs,IknewIwassupposedtolead,butitwouldhavebeenmyegouponstageifIhadtriedtotakecontrolbeforeIhadanyexperienceofwhatitreallymeanttooperateinthefield.SowhenIwasrecruitedintomyfirstplatoon,Ididn'tsetouttoactivelyleadthemenbutrathertofollowandlearnfromthem,seekingtoearntheirtrust.TheyknewIoutrankedthemandthatIwouldbeheldaccountableifanythingwentwrong.ButbecauseofthewayleadershipissharedintheTeams,Ialsoknewtheywouldprotectmeinthatevent.Thisexperiencewasapowerfullessononhumility:Toleadyoumustfirstlearntofollow.Againhumilityrevealsyourtruecharacterexcellenceandearnsyouthetrustyouneedtoleadeffectively.

Ifyou’renotinaleadershiprole,thisvirtuestillcomesintoplay.Agoodruleofthumbistotrytomaketheleader'sjobeasierthroughyouractions.Youwillgainthetrustandrespectoftheteam,andwhenneeded,youwillbecalledupontolead.Withthisattitude,yourtimewillsooncome.Ifyouforcetheissue,youcanputyourselfandtheteamatrisk.LikewiththeSEALs,rememberthatwithinthefabricofastrongteameveryteammatehasthecapacityandcharactertolead.Everyoneissimplyawaitingtheopportunitytoserveinaleadingrole.Youcanalsopracticehumilitybysharingthecreditfortheteam’ssuccesses,whetheryouweretheonewhohadthebigideaorweretheoneincharge.

ResponsibilityResponsibilityhasmanylevelsandpresentsitselfinmanydifferentforms.Warriorsand

spiritualleadersacceptthehighestformofresponsibility:forthelivesofothersandthewellbeingofthehumanrace.Corporateleadersaremeanttoacceptresponsibilityfortheirorganizationsandteams,andweareallindividuallyresponsibleforourthoughtsandactions.Anorganization'stransactionwithacustomerconveyswithittheresponsibilitytofulfilltheirendofthebargain.Youcanseehowbeingresponsiblehasabigimpactforthedevelopmentoftrustworthinessandloyalty.Whenyoucommittoyourresponsibilitiesasavirtue,thenthosewhorelyonyouorwhosesuccessdependsonyouexecutingyourpartcanrestabiteasier.Theytrustthatyou’regoingtocarryyourload,sotheycancommitfullytotheirpart.Inastrongteam,responsibilitymeansthere’sasensethatwe’veallgotthistogether.Everyonehaseachother ’sback,andtrustgoesthroughtheroof.Asdotheresults.Ontheotherhand,ignoringorabdicatingresponsibilitybreachestrustanderasesloyalty

lightningquick.Accountabilityistheflipsideofresponsibility.Whenresponsibleforsomethingorsomeone,

youareheldaccountablefortheconsequencesifthingsgowrong.Noticethatthereisnoneedforaccountabilitywhenthingsgoright.Whenthingsgowrong,however,iswhenyourcharactergoesondisplay.Weobserveafailureofcourageinleaderswhentheydon'tacceptfullaccountabilitywhenthingsgosouth,.Imagesofpoliticalandbusinessleadersdenyinginvolvementinscandals(suchasBillClinton,andlaterhiswifeHillary,withBenghazi)andpointingthefingerfarexceedreportsofleadersacceptingaccountability.IamremindedoftheCEOofBritishPetroleum,TonyHayward,andhishandlingoftheDeepwaterHorizonoilspillin2010.Haywardwascavalieranddownplayedtherisktotheenvironmentandwildlife,evendenyingfullaccountabilityofhisfirm.Hewasliketheteammatewho,whentheproverbialshithitthefan,immediatelyshiftedfocustocoverhisownass.Butinthiscase,HaywardwastheCEO,sohewastryingtocovernotonlyhisownass,butthecompany’sassaswell.Theresponsiblethingtodowouldhavebeentostepupandtakeownershipofthesituation,tobecomeafaceforaccountabilityandapositiveforceforsolutions.Haywardcouldhavegotteninfrontoftheclean-upeffort,takingcareoftheenvironmentandthepeoplewhowereadverselyaffectedbythespill.Mostpeoplerespondverypositivelytopeoplewhoacceptaccountabilitywithgrace,eveninamajordisastersuchasthisone.Instead,Hayward’swordsandactionsultimatelydiminishedtrustamongshareholdersandtheboard,andhisjobcametoadisgracedend.

Accountabilityextendstoyourteammatesaswell.OneoftheSEALethosstatementsisto"takeresponsibilityforyourownactions…andtheactionsofyourteammates."Thisisaburdengladlyacceptedwhenyouworkwiththoseyoumusttrustwithyourlife.However,whentheriskislower,asinmostprofessions,thatlevelofaccountabilityisrare.Partofthisisthefaultofthesystemsthatevolvewithlargeorganizations,asthereistoooftenanemphasisonmicromanagingandidentifyingwhoisresponsibleforfailuresinthesenseofblame,ratherthanafocusonaccountabilityandmovingquicklytoidentifyholesthatneedtobepatchedfornexttime,asintheSEALdebriefprocess.Ifeachmemberoftheteamcouldmakethemissionandtheteamhisresponsibilitywithouttherestraintofexcessiverulesandregulations,andfearofbeingreprimanded(orworse)ifthingsgowrong,andifeachmembercouldbeheldaccountabletothatstandardoftotallysharedresponsibilityforthesuccessoftheteam,youwouldhaveapowerfulmultipliereffect.

DeterminationWhenIfirstsetfootontothefabledBUD/Straining"grinder,"Ireadthesaying"TheOnly

EasyDayWasYesterday"(TOEDWY)writteningoldonblueabovetheasphalt.Itisasimple,yetprofoundstatementthatbecamemydailycompanionasmycharacterwasgrounddownandrebuiltoverninelongmonths.Didthesayingmeanthatyesterdaywaseasy,orthattodaywasgoingtobeharderthanyesterday?Nope;noneofthatreallymattered.WhatitmeantwasthatIhadtodeliverresultswithallIhad—righthereandrightnow.ItmeantIhadtoshowupandputout100percentandthendoitallagaintomorrow.Thememoryofyesterdayiseasybecauseitisover,andtomorrowhasn'thappenedyet,sodon'tworryaboutit.Justfocusonperformingrightnow.

Thatsayingwasspeakingtotheneedtodevelopdetermination,whichgoeshandinhandwiththewarrior-likedisciplinewe’vebeentalkingabout.TOEDWYencouragedustoremaindeterminedtostayfocused100percent,everyindividualmoment,tokeepdrivingforward.Itencouragedustolearnnewskills,gainnewknowledgeandtoperformunderduressandinallsortsofcrazysituations.Thosewhoaccomplishedthiseverydayfortheninemonths(andbeyond)hadtheprivilegeofservingalongsideAmerica'sfinestwarriors.

PerseveranceIfdeterminationisthewilltokeepshowingupandputtingout100%everyday,then

perseveranceisthedisciplinetofollowthroughandkeepongoingnomatterwhatobstaclesstandinyourway.

DuringOperationDesertStormaSEALbuddyofmine,LieutenantDietz,ranahighlysuccessfuldiversionmissionthattrickedSaddamHussein'sforcesintobelievingtheUSMarineswerestormingtheirbeach.Itwasaclassic“frogman”operation,butduringtheplanningtheystruggledwithhowtomovehugeamountsofexplosivetoshore.BringingtheC-4inbyboatwouldincreasetheriskofdetection.Swimmingitinwouldmaketheloadssmaller,butitwasstillproblematicbecauseitwouldrequiremultipletripsbackandforthandintheinterimwouldexposetheteamtosharksand,ifspottedfromshore,vulnerabletoattack..

Finally,ayoungerSEALsuggestedfloatingintheC-4haversacksonboogieboards.Afterafewmomentsofdisbelief,Tomdecidedhelikedtheideaandsentarequestforblacked-outboogieboardstotheheadquartersinCoronado,California.Thedesk-boundcombatvetwhoreceivedtherequestsaidoutloud:"'Whatthehell?Ithoughtwewerefightingawaroverthere!'"Oncetheoperationalnatureoftherequestwasunderstood,however,theboardsweresent,thetrickworked,andthemissionwasasuccess.

Thereareacouplepointstothisstory:First,SEALswillalwayspersevereto"findawayormakeone."Second,theywillnevergiveup.SEALspersevereagainstalloddsbecausetheybelievethatfailureisnotanoption.Thisdoesn'tmeanthattheycan'tfailorthatthingsnevergowrong;ratheritmeansthattheydon’taccepttheconceptoffailure.Youdon'tfail;youfindaway,makeaway,orlearnagainhownottodosomething.Learningwhatdoesn'tworkandcreatinganewwayisasuccess.Withthisapproachtolearningandmissionexecution,youcan'tfailinthetraditionalsenseoftheword.Yousimplykeeptryinguntilyousucceed,learningthroughtrialanderroralongtheway.That’sthevirtueofperseveranceatwork.

TobecomeasinnovativeandpersistentasaSEALrequiresahigherdegreeofrisktoleranceandcommitmenttothetask.Itmuststartwithyourself-dialogue.AsYodaimplores,"doordonot;thereisnotry."Neversuggestsomethingcan'tbedone,andifyoudecidetodosomething,thencommittoseeingitthrough.Learntoadapt,improvise,andovercomeanyobstaclesasyoufindawayormakeone.

Nowallofthissoundssimple,right?ButforSEAL-styleperseverancetoberealistic,youmustensurefromthebeginningthatyourgoalsareSMART-FITStargets.We’lldivemoredeeplyintosettingupyourwinfromthestartwithpropertargetselectionandgoalsettinginChapter8,butfornow,learntoapplytheseselectioncriteriaandyouwillfindthatperseverancenaturallybecomesapartofyourcharacter:

1. Beoptimistic,andexpecttowin.2. Makesurethatthegoalisverymotivatingtoyouandyourteam.3. Burnwithdesiretowinorachievethegoal.Askyourselfhowbadlyyouwantthevictorybefore

youdecidetoact.4. Understand the delta (difference) between your skills and knowledge now and what will be

requiredtosucceedatahighlevel.Ifthedeltaistoomuchtoovercomeinthetimeframeyouhave,thenyoushouldwaveoffandchooseanothermission.

5. Ensurethatyouhavethementalandphysicalcapitaltopullitoffinawaythatdoesnotimpactothermission-criticalgoals.

6. Onceyoucommit,thenburnyourboats,pressforward,andnever,everquit!

—————————Asyouembarkoncultivatingyourownpersonalvirtuesforexcellence,itwillbeinspiringtoreadtheNavySEALethos.Theethos(andshortercode)isagreatsetofvaluestomodelinyourownlife.TheSEALstakegreatpainstohabituatethesevaluesthroughrigorousdailytrainingaswellastheexampleofthewarriorsthrougheachsuccessivegeneration.Hereitis:

TheNavySEALEthosIntimesofwaroruncertaintythereisaspecialbreedofwarriorreadytoanswerourNation's

call.Acommonmanwithanuncommondesiretosucceed.Forgedbyadversity,hestandsalongsideAmerica'sfinestspecialoperationsforcestoservehiscountry,theAmericanpeople,andprotecttheirwayoflife.Iamthatman.

MyTridentisasymbolofhonorandheritage.Bestoweduponmebytheheroesthathavegonebefore,itembodiesthetrustofthoseIhavesworntoprotect.BywearingtheTridentIaccepttheresponsibilityofmychosenprofessionandwayoflife.ItisaprivilegethatImustearneveryday.

MyloyaltytoCountryandTeamisbeyondreproach.IhumblyserveasaguardiantomyfellowAmericans,alwaysreadytodefendthosewhoareunabletodefendthemselves.Idonotadvertisethenatureofmyworknorseekrecognitionformyactions.Ivoluntarilyaccepttheinherenthazardsofmyprofession,placingthewelfareandsecurityofothersbeforemyown.

Iservewithhonoronandoffthebattlefield.Theabilitytocontrolmyemotionsandmyactions,regardlessofcircumstance,setsmeapartfromothermen.Uncompromisingintegrityismystandard.Mycharacterandhonoraresteadfast.Mywordismybond.

Weexpecttoleadandbeled.Intheabsenceoforders,Iwilltakecharge,leadmyteammates,andaccomplishthemission.Ileadbyexampleinallsituations.

Iwillneverquit.Ipersevereandthriveonadversity.MyNationexpectsmetobephysicallyharderandmentallystrongerthanmyenemies.Ifknockeddown,Iwillgetbackup,everytime.Iwilldrawoneveryremainingounceofstrengthtoprotectmyteammatesandtoaccomplishourmission.Iamneveroutofthefight.

Wedemanddiscipline.Weexpectinnovation.Thelivesofmyteammatesandthesuccessofourmissiondependonme—mytechnicalskill,tacticalproficiency,andattentiontodetail.Mytrainingisnevercomplete.

Wetrainforwarandfighttowin.Istandreadytobringthefullspectrumofcombatpowertobearinordertoachievemymissionandthegoalsestablishedbymycountry.Theexecutionofmydutieswillbeswiftandviolentwhenrequired,yetguidedbytheveryprinciplesthatIservetodefend.

BravemenhavefoughtanddiedbuildingtheproudtraditionandfearedreputationthatIamboundtouphold.Intheworstofconditions,thelegacyofmyteammatessteadiesmyresolveandsilentlyguidesmyeverydeed.Iwillnotfail!

TheSEALCode(ShortVersionoftheEthos)

Loyaltytocountry,team,andteammateServewithhonorandintegrityonandoffthebattlefieldBereadytolead,readytofollow,andneverquit!TakeresponsibilityforyouractionsandtheactionsofyourteammatesExcelaswarriorsthroughdisciplineandinnovation

Trainforwar,fighttowin,anddefeatournation'senemiesEarnyourTridenteveryday

—————————

Section4:EarnYourTridentEveryDay

ChapterSeven:SheepdogStrong

ThelastoftheSEALethosstatementsis"EarnyourTridenteveryday."EarningyourTridenteverydayisareminderthatthedestinationisneverthegoal.OnceyoubecomeaSEAL,itisthenincumbentuponyoutoseekandsustaintheskillsofthewarriorandleader.Thetrainingisendlessandrelentless.Youarenever"there"andcanneverrestontheglowofpastaccomplishments.Thisisanotherpowerfulguidingprincipleforyourlife.Theworldchangessofastnowyoucan'taffordtothrottlebackortakethingsforgranted.Ifyoudo,youwillsoonfindyourselfscramblingfrombehind,orwatchingfromthesidelines,wonderingwhatthehellhityou.Manycompaniesandindividualsinthepastdecadehavemadethismistakeandfacedirrelevance,anenterprisevanishingorcareergonebustbecauseofit.Manybelievethatclosetohalfoftoday’sfortune500companieswillbegoneinfiveyearsduetotechnologicaldisruption.Changeorbemarginalizedisthenewnormal.

IlearnedintheSEALshowtoembracechangewhileavoidingthreatsandremainingalertforopportunitiesusinganoffensivemindset.Icallthisbeing"SheepdogStrong."Today'sworldcanseemdangerousandchaotic.BecomingSheepdogStrongwillallowyoutoprotectyourselfandyourlovedonesintheeventofacrisis,anditisessentialtoyourabilitytoembracechangeandearnyourTridentofrespecteveryday.

TheSheepandtheWolvesDr.DavidGrossman,authorofOnCombat:ThePsychologyandPhysiologyofDeadly

ConflictinWarandPeace,isaformerArmyofficerwhohasstudiedthepsychologyofthewarriorincombat.Hemetaphoricallydescribesthevastmajorityoftheworld'spopulationassheepgrazinginignorantblissofanythreat,oblivioustoanysituationalconditionofwhatsurroundsthem.Amuchsmallerpercentageofthepopulation,though,iscomprisedofwolvesthatmakeittheirbusinesstopreyuponthesheep.Thewolvesarepronetoviolenceandarecomfortabletakingwhatisnottheirs,withoutconscienceintervention.Thewolvestearintotheweakersheepwhiletheothers,andsocietyatlarge,payscantattention.Fortunately,therearefolkslikeyouandme:Afractionalpercentageofthepopulationwhostraddlethelinebetweenthesheepandwolves.ThisisthegroupGrossmanpassionatelystudies.Heidentifiesusassheepdogs.Wekeepoureyesonthewolvestoprotectthesheep.Thesheepdogisthesoldier,sailor,marine,coastguardswoman,policeofficer,ethicalleaderandGoodSamaritan.Italsoneedstobeyou,ifyouarenottherealready.

Duringquiettimesthesheepwantlittletodowiththesheepdogs,feelingtheyarebestifoutofsight,outofmind.Sheepdogscanmakepeoplenervousbecausetheysensethatthesheepdogiscomfortablewithviolence.Myneighbor,whenhedidn’tseemeforafewdays,assumedthatI’dbeengallivantingthroughforeignlandsrollingupthebadguys.HelovesthataSEALishisneighbor,butIcantellthatmyknowledge,skill,andconfidencemakehimnervous.Perhapshefearsthatinmid-conversationIwillloseitandriphisheadoff.Sheepdogscarryaheavyburden:thoughtrainedforviolence,theyareoftenthemostdisciplinedandwell-adjustedmembersofsociety.ThesheepdogknowshisThreePsandOneThingandiscommittedtomakingadifferenceintheworldthroughservice.Hisviolencediffersgreatlyfromtheviolenceofthewolf—itisonlyusedindefenseandifabsolutelynecessary.Boundbyastrictcodeofethicsandsenseofduty,thesheepdogistrainedtocontroltheapplicationofviolencelikeafaucetmeterswater.

RecentlyIreadthefollowingheadline:"LostinSmartphones,SanFranciscoTrainPassengersDidn'tNoticetheGunmanuntilHePulledtheTrigger."Scary,right?Thesmartphoneisjustthelatestinalonglineofexternalstimulithathaveallowedmanytoactlikesheepbytakingtheeyesoffthe

importantthingsinanendlessdistractionofinfo-andentertainment.TVstartedthetrend,websurfingandsocialmediasaturateduswithit,andnowtexting,tweetingandplayinggamesonsmartphonesisputtingthefinalnailinthecoffinofawareness.Thesheepdoghasnoticedthistrend,andlearnstocontroluseofthesmartphonewhenhisawarenessisneededinpublic.

Herearesomerulesofengagement

1. Stopbeingpassive.CommittobeingaSheepdogandmakingadifference.Pullyourheadoutofthe sand and pay attention towhat is going on around you.Remember, you are earning yourTridentofrespecteveryday.

2. Activateyourinternalradar.Weallhaveinternalradarsthatcansensedanger,butmostpeoplehavethemswitchedoff.MarineColonelJeffCooper'scolorsystemishelpfultolearnhere:a. Completeignoranceiswhite.Yourinternalradarisoff;youareintheflockofsheep.b. Passivealertnessisyellow.Thisiswhereyourinternalradarisswitchedonandpassively

scanningforthreats.c. Super-heightenedawarenessisorange.Thisiswhenyourradarpingsathreatandgoeson

highalert,searchingforinformationastothethreatlevel,potentialactionplans,resources,escape routes,weapons, etc.You are escalating your energy systems, getting ready for afight.

d. Actiontocounterisred.Yourradarisredlining.Thisiswhenyoutacklethejerkwavingthegunbeforehepullsthetrigger.

3. InitiateSheepdogtactics.AsaSheepdogyoucankeepyoursmartphonetoconductbusinessandtextforhelp.However,learntouseitinasheepdogmanner.Herearetheguidelines:a. Alwaysoperateinyellowwheninpublic.b. Neverbeonthesmartphonewhilewalking,driving(duh),orinconversationwithanother

humanbeing.c. Whenonpublictransit,scantheenvironmentandsitnearthebackwithagoodviewofthe

entirescene.Keepyoursmartphoneoffuntilyouarecertainthereisnothreat.Eachtimethebus/train/whatevercomestoastop,youturnitoffandrepeattheprocess.

d. Inarestaurantorotheropenpublicspace,enterbyscanningthesurroundingareaoutsideandinsideforanypotentialthreats.Ifyoudetectapotentialthreat,thentuneyourradartoactively—butdiscreetly—scanin thatdirection.Sitwithagoodviewof theestablishment,andenjoyyourmealorexperienceandonlycheckyoursmartphoneinthebathroom.

e. Don'tbecomeparanoid.Mypurposeistoprodyoutostepitupandbepartofthesolution,but I am not recruiting a vigilante force. Forging an Unbeatable Mind and walking thewarriorpathmeansyouarebecominguncommon,andtherecommendationsIofferareforyoutoputthatuncommonexcellencetogooduse.Asweworkonbecomingbetterpeopleeveryday,let'salsostepuptobecomeSheepdogs.Thatwaywecanprotectthelessaware,weaker elements of our wonderful society from the wolves. But don’t mistake theserecommendations for encouragement togoout looking for trouble, or tomake someofyourown.

Switchon,SwitchOffThesheepdogwilldevelopamental"binaryswitch"thatturnscontrolledviolenceonandoffat

will.It’simportanttoknowatavisceral,almostunconsciouslevelthatyouarecapableofshiftingintoaprimordialsurvivalmodeinstantlyifyouneedto.

The"bambooparty"ofmymartialartstrainingisagoodexampleofhowItrainedthisbinaryswitch.Fourblackbeltsplacelargebamboopolesovertheankles,hips,chest,andfinallythethroatofthebrownbeltcandidate.Withinsecondstheflowofbloodinyourbodyisrestrictedsuchthatinstinctualfight-or-flightalarmbellsgooff.Inthatmoment,youhavetomakeachoice,andthoughit’sasimulation,asfarasyourbodyandmindareconcernedyourchoiceinthatsplitsecondisthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.Ananosecondlater,thestudentbreaksfree,shatteringthebamboopolesandsendingtheblackbeltsrollinginanexplosionofenergyandwillthatispracticallyreflexive.Thisexperiencegivesyouapowerfulbenchmarkthatanchorsinthe“knowing”thatyoucanswitchfromorangetoredinaheartbeatifyouareeverpushedtothewallinatrue“Sheepdog”situation.The“offensivemindtraining”Ireceivedtaughtmetocontrolthisbinaryswitch,andalsotothrottlebackdownasthethreatrecedes.

MyNinjitsuSensei,ShanePhelps,usedtotellmethatIhadtoalwaysbethe"subject"andneverthe"object"ofthesituationsIenterinlife,especiallyviolentencounters.Thismeansthatwecontroltheframeoftheexperience,createthelensthattheotherpersonlooksthrough,andthenwritethescriptofwhatisunfoldingbeforeourveryeyes.Inthiswaywecontroltheoutcomeandremainthevictors.ConsidermystoryaboutwalkingaloneinKualaLumpurinChapterFive,whenIwasconfrontedwithseveralmenwhoprobablywantedtomugme.Instead,becauseIwasSheepdogStrong(andshowedthemmystrengthinmind,body,andspirit),theythoughtbetterofitandmovedon,probablytosomeotherpoorunsuspectingguywholackedthetrainingandawarenessthatIhad.

Sowhatifyoudon'tclassifyyourselfasaSheepdognowbutwanttostepuptobeSheepdogStrong?Tostartyouwillneedtoelevateyourawarenesstothe"yellowzone"ofpassivealertnessatalltimesinpublic.Begintotrainyourselftoseethethreatsbeforetheyescalate.Iofferedsomepracticalrulesofengagementearlier;nowlet'sstepupitup.

DogTrainingSheepdog-strongtrainingstartswithtrainingyourawareness,butitquicklymovesfromthat"I-

Self"sphereofpersonalmasterytothe"We-Team"sphereofteammastery.Nosheepdogoperatesalone,yousee;ateamisrequiredtotipthebalanceagainsttheviolentelements.Contrarytoourculturalstoryofstaunch,DirtyHarry-styleindividualism,itisteamsoflike-mindedindividualswhochangetheworld.Thefollowingsetofrecommendationsisofferedtohelpyougrowyoursheepdog-strongteamanderadicatefear.

Tip1:BuildaSheepdogfamily.Inacrisissituation,ifyou’respendingallofyourenergytakingcareofyourfamily,whichiscommon,you’renotgoingtohaveasmuchenergytopossiblyhelpoutyourneighborsorcommunityandbeapartofthebroadersolution.Ifeveryone’sgotsomementaltoughnessskillsandawarenessdevelopment,they’remorelikelytobeself-sufficientandcanhelpyouout,andthatwillallowyoutoturnyourattentiontootherthings.Sohavethecolorsystemdiscussion,andpracticeawarenessdrills,suchastheKeepinMemorygame(theKIMgameisdescribedindetailintheUnbeatableMindAcademyandisawaythatSEALsusetotraintheirmemoriesandenhanceawareness),travelmindgames,andsensoryawarenessdrills.Havefunwithit,butensurethattheyunderstandtheimportanceoftrainingthetribe.Ifyoudon'thaveanimmediatefamily,thenthisextendstoyourclosestfriends.

Tip2:BuildaSheepdognetwork.WhenahurricanedevastatedSanJoseDelCaboinMexicothisyear,mybrotherinlaw,whohasahomethere,wasvisitingmyfamilyinSanDiego.Luckilyhe’dbroughthisdaughterwithhim.However,thismeanttheirhomewasleftunprotected,andinthewakeofthestormpeoplewerelootingmanyneighborhoodsinthearea.Mybrother-in-lawcalleduphis

daughter ’sboyfriend,whomhetrustedandknewtobeaSheepdog,andaskedhimifhewouldcheckontheirhouse.Theboyfriendgotafewofhisbuddies,fellowSheepdogs,andtheystagedthemselvesinthehousewiththeirweaponsforafewdaysuntilthingscalmeddown.Lootersransackedmuchoftheneighborhood,butnotmybrother-in-law’shouse.Naturaldisastersandevensmallerlocalincidentscancauseacrisiswithoutwarning,andyouneedtoknowhowtotakecareofyourselfandyourlovedones.Youcandothatmuchmoreeffectivelyifyou’repluggedintoanetworkofpeoplewhowillalllookoutforoneanother.

Tip3:BecomeaSheepdogcommunicator.Ifyouobserveasituationorpersonwhoisobviouslyapotentialthreat,suchasasuspiciousmanscopingtheneighborhoodseveraldaysinarow,takenoteandcommunicateittoyourfamilyandotherSheepdogsinyournetwork.Don'tbeoverlyparanoid,buterronthesideofcaution.Reportthingstotheauthoritiesthatyournetworkbelievestobeaclearandpresentdanger.Don'texpectthemtodoanythingrightaway,though;justkeepwatching,andbepreparedtoactifnecessary.

Tip4:Preparemorethanothers.Forinstance,whenyoutravel,takethefollowingactions:

1. Reviewthetravelrouteonamap,andcommitittomemory.

2. Print it out just in case. Phone GPS features are great until your battery dies or the signaldisappears.

3. Locatesomegasandfoodstopsalongtherouteandcommitthemtomemory.

4. Fillyourgastank.

5. Checktirepressureonallfivetires(don'tforgetthespare).

6. Havea"justincase"bagreadywithsnacks,tools,LEDflashlight,rags,andmedicalkit.

Tip5:Beanundesirabletarget!Thisisano-brainerbutwillrequireyoutosituateyourselfandactdifferentlyinpublic.Thiscanincludecarryingyourselfmoreconfidentlyandavoidingareasthatmakeyouvulnerable,thatarenotwelllit,aredesolate(suchaslargeparkingstructures),orjustgiveyoutheheebie-jeebies.Keepahigh-powerLEDflashlightinyourcar.Theflashlightshouldbeabletoblastabout1,000lumen.Ifsomeoneyoudon'trecognizeapproachesyouatnight,blindthemwiththelightand,ifnecessary,useitasaweapon.Thelightwillwardoff99percentofthewolvesandgiveyoutimetoescapeastheirnightvisionwillbeshotforagoodfiveminutes.

Tip6:Mentallypreparetodothingsyoupreviouslyimaginedunthinkable.Thisistoughforsomepeople,andyoudon'thavetogobonkerswithit.Simplyvisualizeyourselfdominatingafightbykickingthegroin,gougingeyes,andthumpingtheevildoerintheneckwithyourpipearm.Ifyouwantself-defensetraining,IrecommendTargetFocusTraining,KravMagaorattendingourSEALFITSOFImmersionAcademy.Whenyoucanseeyourselfwinningthefightinyourmind,thenyouwillbemorelikelytorespondoffensivelyandnotfreezeinareallifesituation.

AveryrealbutextremeexampleisprovidedfromoneofmySouthAfricanfriends.There,carhijackerswouldstoppeopleintheircars,simplyshootthem,andthentakeoffwiththeircars.Inthatenvironmentyouwouldnotwaitforthethugtocometoyourcarbutwoulduseyourcarasaweapon

andgetoutofdodge.OnceIwasinKenyaonamissiontravelingonahighwaywhenwepassedabuslyingonitsside.Afirewasburning,andthereappearedtobeinjuredpassengersinside.Ourfirstinstinctwastostopandhelp,buttheKenyanSpecialForcesdriverskirtedaroundit.Helatertoldusitwasa‘honeytrap’wheretheperpetratorsweretryingtobaitsympatheticforeignerstostopsotheycouldmugthem,orworse,kidnapthemforransom.Ifourdriverhadn’tbeenmentallypreparedforthesekindsofthreats,whichareuniquetohisenvironment,whoknowswhatfatemayhavebefallenus?Theworldisdangerousandchaotic…destinysurefavorsthepreparedinbodyandmind!

Afinalnote:beingSheepdogStrongrequiresthatyousetasideworryaboutwhatothersthinkofyou.Manymaythinkyourtrainingandpreparationtobeextreme.Don'tmakeabigdealofitbecausethosesamepeoplewillberunningtowardyou,franticallywavingtheirarmswhensomethinggoesawry.Atthesametime,beverydiscreetandhavefunwiththetraining.Itisnotmyintentiontoturnyouintoanoutlier.Quitetheopposite:Iwantyoutobealeaderandtobeviewedastheonewillingtogothedistancetotrainandpreparebody,mind,spirit,andteamforsomeseriouskick-assifthewolvescomearound.Thisisadmirableand,frankly,necessaryifwearegoingtomaintainorderinaworldgoingslightlymad.Inthenextchapter,wewillfurtherdiscusshowwecanadvanceourperformancewithfivecriticalskillsforleaderstolearn.

ChapterEight:CriticalSkillsForLeadersOneofthegreatestwaystoavoidtroubleistokeepitsimple.Whenyoumakeitvastlycomplicated—andonlyafewhighpriestsineachdepartmentcanpretendtounderstandit—whatyou’regoingtofindalltoooftenisthatthosehighpriestsdon’treallyunderstanditatall….thesystemoftengoesout

ofcontrol.—CharlieMunger

Togettotheheartofdevelopingthemind,thesecondmountainofourjourney,itisimportanttofirstunderstanditsworkingsandlimitations.WiththisknowledgeyouwillbeabletobypassfaultythinkingwithtoolssuchasKISSplanning,mentalmodels,andvisualization.Whetheryouleadamultinationalcorporationoraclassroomofactivekids,asaleaderyouneedtobeusingyourfullmentalcapacitytomakethebestdecisionsinthefuture.Butthatiseasiersaidthandonebecausethemindistrickyandpronetoleadingusdownthewrongpath.Youcouldsaythatitiseasytobecleverbutmuchmoredifficulttobewise.Wisdommustbetrainedorattainedthroughmuchtrialanderror.Thefivekeystomentallytoughleadershippresentedinthischapterwillhelpyoubreakupoldpatternsandreplacethemwithnewprogrammingleadingtobetterchoices.Youwilllearntoavoidthementaltricksandtrapsthatmessusupandtoaccessadeeplevelofwisdom.

Let'sstartbylookingattheactualbrainandthethreecomponents,ormini-brainsthatmakeupourwholebrain.Thenwewilltrytodissecthowthesepartsofourbraincauseustobehavethewaywedo.Nextwewillintroduceseveral“mentalmodels”thatwillhelpyouavoidtrapssuchasgroupthink,procrastinationandanalysisparalysis.Finallywedoadeepdiveintohowtouseyourmindmorepowerfullythroughvisualizationandpositivity.Tokickoffthisjourney,let'stakeafieldtriptothebrainzoo.

TraintheZooKeeperI'dbewealthyifIhadadollarforeverytimeIputmyfootintomymouthanddownintomy

chestbyjumpingtoaconclusionutterlydevoidoftruthoroperatingoutofsomeBOO-inspiredbias.Sowouldyou,I'mwillingtobet.EvenCharlieMungerandWarrenBuffett,whorunBerkshireHathawayandareconsideredthesavviestinvestorsintheworld,don'ttrusttheworkingsoftheirminds.Instead,accordingtoCharlieMunger(seePoorCharlie’sAlmanack:TheWitandWisdomofCharlieMunger),theyrelyonmentalmodelstohelpthemframebetterdecisionsandavoidthemachinationstheirmindsplay,whichtheybelieveleadtoflawedthinking.

Researchoverthelastdecadehaspeeledbackthecurtainonhowthisbrainzoooperates.UsingMRIandsensitivebrainwavemeasurementequipment,scientistshavebeenabletoseewhathappenschemicallyandelectricallyinyourbrainwhenyouperformcertainactions.Differentareasofthebrainlightupwithchemicalandelectricalactivitywhenyoudrive,havesex,orreacttostress.Thebrainhasbeenmappedbaseduponfunctionandcomparedtothebrainsofotherspecies.Thisinformationistobetakenwithsomeskepticismbecauseofthesheercomplexityofthehumanbrainasanorganandtheinabilitytotrulyunderstandtheworkingsofthemindasconsciousness,butthepointisthatweareconstantlyincreasingourknowledgeofhowwethink,processinformation,andmakedecisions.Assomeoneforwhommentalstrengthandclarityisparamount,it’simportantthatyoutrytostayontopofnewdevelopmentsinthisarea.Letmegiveyouaheadstart.

Generallyspeakingtherearethreecompartmentsofthebrain—let’scallthemmini-brains—thathaveevolvedovertime,eachbuildingontopoftheothertoformthebrainwehavetoday.Thesemini-brainsdevelopedalongourchronologicaltimelineandhavedifferentroles.

TheReptilianBrainisformedfromthebrainstemandcerebellum.Thisisouroldestbrain.Itis

almostidenticaltoareptile'sbrain,hencethename.Thereptilianbrainregulatesbasiclifefunctionslikebreathing,heartrate,andrespiration(functionsofthebrainstem),balance,posture,andmovementcoordination(thecerebellum).Itisalsoresponsibleforhardwiringbehaviorsfrommemories—sothisiswheredeeplyrootedtraininginformationisstoredandretrieved.Itmayalsobesafetoassumethatthisbrainisacomponentofthesubconsciousmind.

TheMammalianBrainevolvedsome300millionyearsago,soyouprobablydon'trememberithappening.Itiscalledthemammalianbrainbecauseitissimilartothemostevolvedpartofallmammals'brains.Theprominentbehaviorsitregulatesarethefight,flight,orfreezeresponseandourneedtofeedandreproduce.Itisalsoresponsibleforemotionalbehaviorandregulatingchemicalandhormonalactivity.Whenyougetdepressed,youcanblamethemammalianbrain.Butyoucanthenthankitforregulatingyourbodytemperature,bloodsugarlevels,digestion,hormonalbalance,andotherimportantthings.

TheMammalianBrainhousesthepituitarygland,whichisthemasterhormonegland,andthepinealgland,whichregulatessleep.Italsoincludesthehippocampus,whichisyourmemorysortingandstoringtool,andtheamygdala,whichsiftsandfiltersincominginformationforthreatsandopportunities.Thissub-brainislargelyresponsibleforthebiastowardnegativitysoprominentinthehumancondition.Thefearwolfspendsmostofhistimelurkinghereandsendingfearsignalstothethirdsub-brain.

Thethirdsub-brain,theMonkeyBrain,isthemostrecentadditiontothezooandistheseatofawareness,cognition,problemsolvingandcreativity.Itismoreproperlycalledtheneocortexandisthe"commandcenter,"wherewereason,plan,intellectualize,analyze,verbalize,andlearn.Itallowsustointerpreteventsandreacttothemaccordingly.Thisnewbrainofoursissocomplexitwouldbeaninjusticetotrytosummarizeithere.Whensomeonesaysyouareoperatingoutof"rightbrain"or"leftbrain"thinking,theyarereferringtothehemispheresoftheneocortex.Thispartofourbraindifferentiatesusfromothermammalsandisoneofthereasonswehavesuchenormouspotential.Thefrontallobeoftheneocortexisyour"executiveoffice,"whereintent,focus,andwillpowerconspiretomoveyoutowardgreatnessormisery.Inyourteenyearsthisareaisnotyetfullydeveloped,whichhelpsexplainsomeofthehard-to-explaindecisionsyoumadeinadolescence,aperiodwelltendedtobyyouremotionalmammalianbrain.

Now,itmakessensethatthesemany“animals”inyourheadneedazookeepertokeeptheminline.Whodoesthatjob?Here’sathought…howabouttheWitness?Let'sconsiderthemind—asinconsciousness—itself.ThisiswhatIcalltheWitness.TheWitnessexistsindependentoftheorganofthebrain.Manyscientistsandcertainphilosophersliketoreducethemindandconsciousnesstocorrelatesofchemicalreleasesandelectricalfiringsinthebrain.Feelfreetoopenlylaughwhentheysaythis.Whateveryoudo,don'tbelievethemforaminute.Thesearesimplyneurologicalbyproductsofthemindthinking,accessingmemories,imagining,perceiving,dreaming,andfeeling.Yourexperienceofaconsciousmindcertainlyhaschemicalandelectricalcorrelates,butitisamistaketodefineconsciousnessasmerebrainelectrochemicalsignaling.

Studiesofnear-deathandout-of-bodyexperiencessupportthisidea.TheyogisandotherEasternspiritualtraditionsbelievethatthemindisconsciousness,andconsciousnessisone’suniquesoulusingtheorgansofthinkingandfeeling(thebrain,heart,belly,nervousandneuroendocrinesystems)tomakemeaningandtocreateyourreality.Themindnotonlyhasitsownuniqueimprint(likeafingerprintofthesoul),itmakesmeaningfromthecollectivestimulusoflifeexperiences,andhasaninterconnectiontootherbeingsandtoauniversalintelligence,thelatterbeingthatvastspiritthatrunsthroughallthings.So,ifthemysticsaretobebelieved(andscienceisprovingthemrighteveryday)thenconsciousnesstranscends,yetincludes,thematterandfunctionsofthebrainitself,anditrequiresthebraintofunctionwellinourhumanform.Butanuntrainedbrain-mindislikean

untrainedbody—weak,lethargicandnotveryfunctional!Toconnectwithandcontrolthisintricatemind,youmusttrainyourneocortextoacknowledge

thatitisn’ttheonlyanimalintown,norisitincharge.OnlythencanyourWitnessgetbackintheseattobecomethezookeeperanddirecttheactivitiesofthemind-brain.TheproblemisthatwehavelargelydeniedtheWitnessinourculture,insteadidentifyingalmostexclusivelywiththoughtsinourbrainasbeingthemainthing.Thethinker,theneocortex,doesn'twanttogiveupthepositionithasbeenanointedwith.Moreover,theneocortexislikeawildmonkey—itispowerfulandbrimmingwithpotential,butitisalsodangerousandremarkablyunproductiveuntiltrained.Itisrestlesslyrunningfrompainandchasingpleasureandgreatlyresistsanyattempttosettleitdownfortraining.

Wediscussedearlierhowmartialartists,yogis,andmonkslearnedlongagothattheycouldtrainthemonkeymindthroughconcentrationandsacredsilencemethodssuchasmeditation.Whentheydidthis,theyachievedamergingwiththeWitness(soul)andatamingofthethinkingmind(ego).Thentheycouldoperatefromtheirwitnessingselfwhilefocusingtheirthinkingmindswithprecisionontheselectedsubjectorobjectofattention.

Ifthisallsoundstooesoteric,thismergingIspeakofisnotunlikethepeakexperienceyouhaveinamomentofflowwhenyouarehighlyskilledinaspecificdomain,suchasisaSEAL,firstresponder,oreliteathleteinaction.Inthemomentoflaser-likeintensityandchallenge(theplayorcrisis)themindoperatesfromanunhinderedWitness,timeseemstocollapsetojust"now,"andyouarethrustintowhatfeelslikeastateofflow.Inthesemomentsthefrontallobeoftheneocortexissofocusedontheobjectofattentionthatanyotherthoughtsareforcedout,allowingtheunfettereddirectperceptionoftheWitnesstotargettheobjectoraction.Asmentioned,inthisstate,theconstructsoftimeandspaceseemtoloosentheirgriponthemind,slowingdownorwarping.Inthismannerthetrainedfrontallobebecomesyour"flowactivator"dissolvingpastandfutureintothepresentmoment.Trainingsothatyoucanactivatetheflowstate,atwill,takestimeandpatience.ThewitnessprocessformentalcontroldescribedinthisbookandsacredsilencepracticesarethebestwaythatIknowoftoaccomplishthistraining(andthisisakeyfocusoftheUnbeatableMindAcademy).Assoonasyoubegintraining,youwillnotethattheanimalsrunningamokinyourmindtakenoticeandlineuptosupportyouinsteadoffightagainstyou.

Asifthedistractingchatteroftheuntrainedmonkeymindisn'tenoughtomakeyouanxious,thewaytheneocortexinteractswiththemammalianandreptilianbrainsisalsoacauseforconcern.In2011economistandNobelPrizewinnerDanielKahnemanwroteanintriguingbookabouthowthemindworksindecisionmaking.Thebook,Thinking,FastandSlow,providesremarkableinsightintothetricksouranimalbrainsplayonus.Kahnemanwonderedhowmuchcontroltheneocortexreallyhadoverourthoughtsandactionsorwhethertheolderbrainshadasay.Hisworkbasicallyprovesthatthe“BOO”wehavediscussedinthisbookhasabigimpactonourthinkingprocesses.

Hiscentralthemeisthattherearetwoprimarymodesofthought.Thefirst(whichhecallsSystem1)isthefast,instinctual,andemotionalthoughtprocessdrivenbyyourmammalianandreptilianbrains.Thesecond(System2)isthedeliberate,rational,andlogicalcognitiondrivenbytheneocortex.KahnemannotedthatSystem1isconstantlymonitoringtheenvironmentaswellastheinnerspacetoformdown-and-dirtyimpressionsofthings.Itprobesforinformationimportanttosurvivalandreproductionandwillcalmlytakecareofroutinebusiness—untilitdetectsathreatoropportunityrelatedtoboth.ThenitperksupandmobilizestheexecutiveofficesintheneocortextoactivateSystem2—inotherwords,tostepupandfigurethingsoutwithmoredetail.

Thechallengearisesinthisdynamicinterplaybetweenthetwosystems.Duetotheextraordinaryamountofinformationflowinginfromexternalandinternalsources,System1mustmakeassumptionsandtakeshortcuts.AddtothistheinherentlazinessofSystem1(afterall,itmustsaveenergyfortheinevitablecrisis),andyouendupwiththeknee-jerkreactionsandhair-trigger

responsesweallmakethatturnoutdeadwrong.Theshortcutsandguessesmadesenseintheolddaysofdetectinganddefendingagainstthesaber-toothtiger,orcapturingtheheartofthecavegirlnextdoor,butintoday’sworlditcancausesometroubles.

Oneinterestingwaythisplaysoutiscalledtheprimingeffect—whereinthebrainwillassociatenewinformationtotheclosestotheridea,whichthenprimesyouranswer.Theprimingeffectiswhatleadstooneofthemorecommonerrorsofperceptioncalledconfirmationbias,madefamousbyMalcolmGladwellinhisbookBlink(moreonhiminabit).Thisprocessgoesmostlyundetected,buttheeffectsareobviouswhenyoustopandlook.AnexampleKahnemanprovidesisifyouhaverecentlyseenorheardthewordeat,youaremorelikelytocompletethewordfragmentso_passoup.However,ifyoujustgotoutofthebath,youwouldbeprimedtoreadthewordfragmentassoap.

Kahnemandescribesanexperimentinacompanykitchenwithanhonestyboxtopayforcoffee.Theyputapictureofaflowerpotintheroomandthenlaterapicturewitheyes.Theemployeescontributedalmostthreetimesasmuchwhentheeyeswerewatchingduetothisprimingeffect!

Considerthissentence:Annapproachedthebank.Ifyouareacitydweller,youconjuredupanimageofAnnwalkingtowardanATM,butifyouareariverguideyouwouldbeprimedtoseeAnnglideuptotheriverbankinherkayak.WhenyoubuyaredMazda,isn'titamazinghowyourmindconfirmsthatpracticallyeveryoneelsesuddenlyownsaredcarandtherearenowtwiceasmanyMazdasontheroad?Howcanwetrustourmindswhenthistypeofgrossmisinterpretationisgoingonallthetime?

Let'slookatourproclivitytojumptoconclusionswithbias.System1worksonlywiththeinformationthatithasreadyaccessto.Whenevaluatingpeople,System1isinclinedtostereotypebecauseifnootherinformationisavailable,thatistheonlypathwaywehavetoconjureaninstantimpression.Thisgaveusanedgeinthepast,butthatedgehaslongdulled.Inoneinformativestudy,psychologistSolomonAschaskedsubjectstosaywhattheythoughtoftwohypotheticalcharacters:AlanandBen.Herearethedescriptionsofthetwo:"Alan:intelligent,industrious,impulsive,critical,stubborn,envious;Ben:envious,stubborn,critical,impulsive,industrious,intelligent."Asyouhopefullynoticed,thedescriptorsareidenticalbutfortheirorderofdelivery.SubjectsconsistentlyratedAlanfavorabletoBenbecausetheinitialtraitsinthelistimpactedthefirstimpressionmeaningofthetraitsappearinglater.Thehaloeffect,whereyoutransferatraitsuchasgoodlooksontocharacterwhenthereisnootherevidencetosupportthenotion,isanothermanifestationoftheprimingeffectofSystem1.

Salesprofessionalsarefamiliarwithanothergadgetcalledtheframingeffect.Howinformationisframedaffectshowitisprocessed.MyfriendOrenKlaff,best-sellingauthorofPitchAnything,usestheframingeffecttodominatepitchesforfinancingwithgreatsuccess.Hehasdemonstratedhowpeopleunconsciouslyframeinnegotiationsandhowyoucanbreakyourframesandestablishanewframewhereyouhavetheedge,albeittemporarily.

AfinalexampleofhowSystem1distortsSystem2thinkingiswithlossaversion.TheSystem1mammalianbrainwillseelossesasathreatandcauseustoavoidthemattheexpenseofgains.Afterall,threatsaremoreurgentthanopportunities.Considerthefollowingexample:"Youareofferedagambleonthetossofacoin.Ifthecoinshowstails,youlose$100.Ifthecoinshowsheads,youwin$150.Isthisgambleattractive?Wouldyouacceptit?Rationallyitisgoodgamblebecausetheexpectedvalueispositive.Butmostpeoplerejectthisgamblebecausethefearoflosing$100ismoreintensethanthehopeofgaining$150.Thislossaversioncomesintoplayinallformsofnegotiations.Sincelossesarefeltmorekeenlythangains,thesidethatstandstolosewillfightharderagainstitthantheothersidefightsforit.Itisalsoprevalentwhenitcomestocuttinginvestmentlosses,whichiswhywetendtoholdontoalosingstock.Sellingalosingstockactualizesaloss,whilesellingawinningstockactualizesagain.System1thinkingwillfavorthelatterovertheformer.

ShortcuttheGladwellEffectNowthatIhavedumpedliberallyonthehumanbrainforitsshortcomings,Iwonderhowwe

canshoreitupforbetterdecisionmaking.MalcolmGladwell,inhisbookBlink:ThePowerofThinkingWithoutThinking,introducesustotheconceptofmentalintuition,whichisgainedthroughdeepexpertiseinanareaoneispassionateaboutandspendsatonoftimein.Gladwelltellsusthatthosewhomasteraskill,whetheritbechess,basketball,orfirefighting,areabletorespondintuitivelytoasituationataglance.Thechessorbasketballmovesflowspontaneouslyandarealmostalwaysstrongandcreative.Thefirefighter,whohasasuddenurgetoescapeaburninghousejustbeforeitcollapses,sensesthedangerintuitivelywithoutknowinghow.

Gladwellpositsthatexpertiseatthislevelisformedfromtheintersectionofdeepknowledgeandexperience,expertskill,andpresence.Sobaseduponwhatwehavelearnedaboutthebrainsofar,wecanassertthatthisexpertiseisdevelopedinthemammalianbrain,whichunconsciouslypicksupnuancedcuesinanactivityorenvironmentonehasgreatmasteryover.Themammalianbrain(System1)presentsthesecuestotheneocortex(System2)atopportunemomentsforadvantage,whichshowupasgeniusorcreativebrilliance.Sincethemammalianbrainhasbeenwellprimedtolookfornuances,thosearenowavailabletothethinkingpartofyourbrainandshowupasinsights.Theneocortex,whentrainedornaturallyinapresentstateofawareness,willbeabletointerpretthesemessageseasily.

Now,accordingtoGladwell,thecapacityforthistypeofunconsciousintuitivebehaviortakesyearstohone—atleasttenthousandhoursworthofpractice.Buthereisthecatch:Gladwell'sassertionsarebasedona"common"untrainedmind.Yes,intuitioncanariseduetodeepconcentrationonanarrowsetofskillsoveralongperiodoftime,butIbelieveitcanbeacceleratedgreatlywhenwetrainasIofferinthisbook.Mypremiseisthatwhenweactivelyengageintrainingthewholebody-mindsystemratherthanallowingourdevelopmentittobeshapedgraduallyorhaphazardly,thenweareabletoaccessthesamelevelofgeniusthatGladwellspeaksofinshorterperiodsoftime.MyexperienceintheSEALsandwithmytraineeshasproventomethatthisispossible,thoughscientificvalidationmaybelackingasofthiswriting.

Awordofcaution:Thoughintuitivegeniusisaworthygoal,youmuststilluseatwo-prongedapproachtotraining.WhatImeanisthatasyoutrainyourmind,youmustalsoexamineyourBOO,orthatintuitiveinspirationyoureceivemaybeprimedwithflawedbeliefs.Thispresentsanawkwardparadox:Doyoutrustyourgutimplicitlyoruseitasaguidewhileseekingexternalvalidation?Perhapsthesettingwilldictate:inanexistentialcrisisyouwillneedtotrustyourgut,butinamultimillion-dollarbusinessdeal,itisagoodideatotrust…thenverify.

Thepointisthatevenestablishedexpertsremainatriskofmentaltrapscausedbyimproperlyinterpretedintuitivemoments.LikeWarrenandCharlie,SEALsalsosafeguardagainstthisbyusingmentalsystemstobetterframeandbackuptheirdecisions.Modelslikethisprovideaninsurancepolicyagainstthezoo-brain'stricksandtraps.

UseMentalModelsItisclearnowthaterroneousthinkingiscommonandleadstobotchedcommunicationsand

missionfailureallthetime.Thementalchallengesdescribedaboveproducefourproductivitykillers:

1. Procrastination:delayingactionduetoimperfectinformation

2. Perfectionism:delayingactionduetoanimperfectplan

3. Analysisparalysis:delayingactionbytryingtoanalyzetoomuchinformation

4. Groupthink:takingthemosttepidactionpoisonedbytheconfirmationbiasofthegroup

Usingmentalmodelswillspeedthingsupanddiminishoreliminatetheimpactofthesefourkillers.Mentalmodelsframeaproblemwithgoodquestionsandcreateastandardforhowtomakeadecisionorcreatetheplan.IntheSEALsweusedanumberofthese,includingtheOODAloop,theMilitaryDecision-MakingProcess(MDMP),theCARVERtargetevaluationprocess,andtheSMEACmissionplanningprocess.WewilldiscusstwooftheseandincludeSMART-FITSgoalsettingasathird.Tokickoffthediscussion,let'sreviewtheprimaryprincipleunderlyingallofthesementalmodels:KISS!

KISSPlanningWhenIplannedmyfirstmissionintheSEALs,Iusedaflipcharteiselandtheancient

industrial-engineeringartofflowcharting.Thechartwascrowdedwithboxesandarrowsdepictingtheentiremission,fromplanningstagetopost-missiondebrief.Thebigchunksthatrequiredlotsofcoordinationwerefurtherbrokenoutintoseparateflowchartswithcontingenciesbuiltin.Itwasacumbersomeprocess,tosaytheleast.Butwhenitcamedowntobriefingtheguys,theKISSruleprevailed.Thechartwastossed,andtheoperatorssimplyaskedquestionsandtalkedtheirwaythroughthemission.Astheytalkedweallvisualizedeverythingthatwouldgorightandanythingthatcouldgowrong.Thenwesteppedoutside,boardedthehelo,andjustdidit.Theonlythingthathaschangedsincethosedaysisthetoolsweuse.Theflipcharthasbeenreplacedbyasuiteofmissionplanningsoftware,aprojector,andabevyoflaptops,buttheKISSrulestillapplies.Atitsmostbasiclevel,itmeansthatwemustfocusonthemostradicallysimplemeanstoexecuteaplan.Toomanymovingpartscanleadtoconfusionandgridlockinacrisis.

Let'slookatKISSinthecontextofplanning.Keepingthingssimplemeansthatyouwillrelyonagoodenoughplantoavoidthefourkillersofperformancedetailedabove.Agoodenoughplanaimsforan80percentsolution.Assoonasyoubegintoexecute,youwillgetfeedback,andthenyouwillimmediatelytweakyourplanwithanothergood-enoughsolution.Thusbeginsthesuccesscycle:

CreateaKISSplanusingSMARTP-FITS,SMEACorPROP-–>FailForwardFast(F3)withrapidexecution-–>ActuatethefeedbackOODALoop-–>DevelopnewKISSplan-–>Executeagain-–>Receivefeedbackandthesuccesscyclecontinues

TheKISSPlanhasfourcomponents.ThefirstistoselectatargetthatFITSthemission.ThesecondistodevelopaSMARTPmissionstatement(goal)toattackthetarget.ThirdistodefineeitheradetailedSMEACplanorahastyPROPplantoexecute.Finally,usetheOODALoopprocesstofine-tuneyourexecutionin“F3“mode.

Withanaggressivefailforwardfastorientation,theteamwillexecuteonagood-enoughplanandachievemicro-victorieswithincreasingvelocity.TheKISSplanningsolutionshunsgroupthink,blowsthroughprocrastination,andleavesperfectionistswonderinghowyousucceededsoquickly.Let'stakeacloserlookattheindividualtoolsinthisKISSplanningprocess.

SMARTP-FITSGOALSItisnostunningnewsflashthatproperlyselectedgoals,tiedtoyourOneThingandexecuted

withaKISSgood-enoughplan,willpropelyoutowardmissionaccomplishment.Goalsnottetheredtoyourpurposearewildgoosechases,andapurposewithoutSMARTP-FITSgoalsisafantasyawaitingregret.Thefunnythingis,though,thatnobodyteachesthisatanearlyenoughagetoallowformassivesuccess.Wearelefttofigureitoutourselvesbecausetheacademiccommunitydoesn'tknowhowtodoiteither.ThisskillissocrucialthatitholdsaplaceintheBigFourofMentalToughnesstaughttotheSEALs.

Let'sstartbylookingattheFITSpartofthemodelforensuringthatyourgoals/targetsfityouintermsofskill,timing,andpurpose.IcameupwithFITStohelpselectthepropertargetsforourmissionandthepropergoalsforourtargets.Theprocessiseasytoremember—essentiallyyouwilluseittoensurethatyourtargetfitsthemissionandgoalfitsthetarget.

Itisimportanttonotethatgoalscanbeeither"being"goalsor"doing"goals.Inotherwords,goalshelpus"do"thingsor"be"someone.Bothareimportant,anditisgoodtoknowwhichyouarelookingatasyoudecidewhetherit’sagoodfitforyounow.Beinggoalsaretypicallylong-termgoalscenteredaroundbecomingacertaintypeofpersonorgainingspecificqualities,suchasbeingagoodleader.Doinggoalsareoftenasubsetofabeinggoalandincludegainingaspecificskillormilestonerequiredformissionaccomplishment.Forinstance,ifyouhaveabeinggoaltobeawarrior,thenadoinggoalwouldbetoearntheSEALTrident.IfattendingSEALFIT’sKokoroCampisamongyourdoinggoals,thenshorterskillgoals,suchastoperformthephysicalskillstostandard,willbewhatyouworkonasyoushootforthebiggoalofsucceedingatthecamp.

ThefirstorderofbusinesswhenselectingtargetsorgoalsistoconsiderwhetheritistetheredtoandalignedwithyourOneThingandpurpose.Goalsthatarealignedwithyourpurpose,andsetwithSMARTP-FITSrules,backeachotheruplikebuildingblocks—theysetthefoundationforyourfuture.HereistheFITSprocess:

Fit:Doesyourgoalfityouandyourteamintermsofyourskills,resources,time,andpersonality?Isitreasonableoralongshot?Willthereturnonyourinvestmentintime,resources,andenergybeworthitforthisgoal,orshouldyoubelookingatadifferentgoalwithhigherreturnoninvestment?

Importance:Isthisgoalstrategicallyimportanttoachieveyourmissionorpurpose?Willyourmissionfailifyoudonotachievethisgoal?Isthereanother,morevitalgoalyoushouldbedirectingyourpreciousenergyon?

Timing:Isthistherighttimeforthisgoal?Whathastohappenfirstforthisgoaltobecomearealisticachievement?Istheresomeothergoalortargetwhosetimingtrumpsthisone?

Simplicity:IsthisaKISSgoal?Canyoubreakthegoalintosmallermicro-goals,akasteppingstones,toincreasethesimplicityandyourchancesofsucceedingandgainingmomentumtowardyouractualizingyourvision?

RefertoimageinAppendix1:F.I.T.S.

Onceyouarecertainthatyourtargetorgoalfitsyou,thenyouwillmovetosteptwoandstateitinSMARTPtermstomaximizeyourchancesofsuccess.SMARTP-FITSgoalsarepreciselystatedandpossessattributesforeffectiveexecution.First,theyarespecificanddetailedratherthanvague.

Partofthedetailisthattheyaremeasurableanditiseasytodetermineyourprogress.Inaddition,theyareassessedasachievable,whichisfirstassessedwhenyoudeterminedthatthegoalfityou.Achievabilityspeakstoyourskillsandavailableresources.Nextthegoalmustberelevant,suchthattheymakesenseinthecontextofyouroverallvisionandlifedirection.Then,asstatedalready,thegoalmusthaveatimeboundaryforachievement.Agoaltimeframethatistooshortortoolongcanbeasetupforfailure.Finallyallgoalsmustbepositivelystatedtoavoidsubconsciousnegativitythatmayerodeprogress.

MyfriendKyleMaynardsetagoaltoclimbMountKilimanjaro.Herewasthehitch:Kyledoesn'thaveanyarmsorlegs.Manywouldthinkthatthisgoalwasnotrealisticorachievableforhim.Anditmaynothavebeenwereitnotforhisincredibledetermination.Hehadpromisedadyingfriendthathewouldspreadtheman’sashesatthetopofthemountain,andso,fueledbyapowerful“why,”Kyletookmorethantwoyearstoplanhisadventure.Thoughothersmaynothaveunderstood,thepersonalimportanceofthetrekiswhatalsomadeitafittinggoalforKyle..Hislongplanningtimeframemadethegoalmorerealistic,andhishonestassessmentofhisphysicalcapabilityanddisciplinemadeitachievable.Heultimatelybearcrawleduptheentiremountaintothesummit,aremarkablesuccess.

TwoyearsagoIsetagoaltoimproveaphysicalskillIneededfortheCrossFitGames.IdeclaredthatIwouldlearntododouble-undersinthreemonths(tworevolutionsofajumpropeinasinglejumpiscalledadouble-under).TwomonthslaterIhadn'tgottenevenclose,andIrealizedthatIhadviolatedmygoalsettingmethod.Iaskedmyself,Mark,whytakeonanygoalunlessyouintendtotakeitseriously?TheanswerwasIshouldn't.Norshouldyou.SoIrevisedmygoaltothis:toperformtwentyperfect,consecutivedouble-undersbyMarch30.Thegoalwasspecificallystated,measurable(twenty),itwasachievable(atthetimeIcoulddoaboutfiveinarow,Iownedajumprope,andcouldeasilypracticetheskillthreetofourtimesaweek),itwasrelevant(IwantedtocompeteintheCrossFitGamesOpen)anditwastimeboundandpositivelystated(Igavemyselfthreemonthsandadeadline).Iwrotethegoaldownandcheckedinwithitweekly.DoyouthinkIhitit?Yes,easyday!ButifIhadn'trestateditinthosetermsandgivenitproperattentionandconsistentenergy,I'dstillbewishingIcoulddoit.

LetmedigdeeperintowhySMARTP-FITSgoalsworksowell.Firstoff,properlyselectedtargetsensureyouarefocusedontherightthings,andsmartlyarticulatedgoalsensurethatyouareemployingtheKISSprinciplewithfocuseddeterminationtoachievethem.WithoutrefinedtargetsconnectedtoourOneThingandpurpose,andwell-setgoalstokeepusfocused,weareeasilydistracted,andourenergybecomesdiffused.Properlycraftedgoalswithastrongimplementationplanreplacefantasywithrealityandmobilizeyoureffortswithanuncommonlevelofcommitment.Nomorewanderingorstumblingaroundinthedarkwithyourpersonalandprofessionallife.

Afinalnote:Effectivegoalsettingfacilitatesnewstrategiesforlearninganddevelopment.Ifyourstrategyincludesadailygoalreviewduringyourmorningritualroutineandaperiodicprogressreview,there'sahighdegreeoflikelihoodthatyou'llremainfocusedandpersistentuntilyouachieveit.ThesesupervaluableprocessesarekeyintheUnbeatableMindtraining.I’veincludedasimplifiedMorningRitualintheAppendix,whereyoucanalsofindinfoonouronlineprograms.Thedailyreviewprocessallowsformodificationandshiftingfireastherealitiesofthedailydriveimpactthetimingandrealismofthegoal.Ratherthanacceptingfailureforsomethingoutofyourcontrol,yousimplyadjustthegoalelementstothenewrealityanddriveon.

SMEACandPROPWearenotdonejustyet.It'salsoinvaluabletoconstructastrategyforexecutingyour

SMARTP-FITSgoals.Agoalwithoutastrategyislikeatraveldestinationwithoutaplantogetthere.

Doyouwalk,drive,ortakethebusandhowdoyounavigateorsecurefueltocompletethejourney?Manydetailsareinvolvedinplanningtoaccomplishaloftygoal.Beginwritingthemdowninalist,andthenestablishdatesforstrikingthemoff.UsetheSMEACorPROPmethodtoplanyourmissionindetail.Thenreviewyourprogressonaschedulethatissuitableforyou.Iliketodoitdailyandrecommendyoudoitweeklyataminimum.

TheSMEACmissionplanningprocessisasimplebutdetailedplanningmodelthatcanbeusedforanyinitiative,whetheraSEALmissionorajointbusinessventure.Itisbestsuitedforcomplex,longerprojectsandservesasasortofconceptorbusinessplan.

Situation:Thesituationisthebackgroundstudythathelpstheteamtounderstandthereasonsbehindthecurrentrequirementtoact.TheSEALteamscallthisbackground"situationalawareness"andbelieveitiscriticalforeveryonetobeonthesamepageregardingthewhyofthemission.

Mission:Themissionisaspecificstatementofwhatyouintendtoaccomplish,where,when,andthemeasureofsuccess.ThemissionstatementwithanendstategoalshouldbewritteninSMARTPlanguage.

Execution:Theexecutionpartdefineshowthemissionwillbeaccomplished.Theexecutionalsospecifiestheinvolvementofothers,yourcourseofaction,yourintendedresources,andyourPlanB.

Administration:theadministrationsectionoftheplandefinestheadministrativeandlogisticaldetailsthatmustbecoordinatedpriortoandduringtheexecutionofthemissionorproject.

Commandandcontrol:thecommandandcontrolspecifywho'sincharge,whoreportstowhom,andwhentheyreportaswellastheformatforreporting.Somanymissionsandprojectsfailduetopoorcommunicationandaccountability.TheSMEACprocessmakesaterrificone-pageprojectorbusinessplanningtool.BoththisandtheOODALoopmentalmodelsaresimpleandeffectivetoolsthatprovideastandardoperatingproceduretoquicklyanalyzelargevolumesofinformationandmakewisedecisions.

Whenyouneedtoexecutefastandthemissionissimpletodefinebutyouneedtoquicklydeterminethebestcourseofaction,thenthePROPinstrumentisyourweaponofchoice.WithPROPyouwillevaluateaquickcourseofactionbaseduponfoursimplecriteria:

Priorities:whatarethekeyprioritiesthataredrivingyourmission?

Realities:whatarethegroundtruthrealitiesyouarefacing,andwhatimpactdotheyhaveonyouroptions?

Options:listthemostcompellingoptionsforawayforwardthatyouandyourteamhavecomeupwith.

Plan:whatistheplanyoudecidedon?

PROPservesasanexcellentrapidplanningandopportunityanalysistool.WhencombinedwithSMARTP-FITStargetselection,youhaveahandytoolkitforsolvingmission-criticalchallengesasyourapidlymovetowardmissionsuccess.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:P.R.O.P.

OODALoopOnceyoujumpoutthedooronamission,theplanningstagesareover,andnowyouareinto

rapidexecution“F3”or“failforwardfast”stage.Inthisstageofyoursuccesscycle,youwillusetheOODALoop,developedbythelateAirForceLieutenantColonelJohnBoyd.ThisbrilliantmanwasafighterpilotwhoendedupdesigningaircraftforthePentagon.Hedistilledhisinstinctualexpertiseintoafour-stepprocesstosimplifytheteachingofrapid-fire,life-and-deathdecisionmakingofaerialcombat.OODAisaKISStoolofthemostelegantform.OODAhasusconstantlyevaluateourrelationalpositiontotheenemy(orcompetition)andmakedecisionsthatkeepusonestepaheadofthem.Thisishowitworks:

Observe the situation closely. What is your relative position to the enemy and how is theirbehaviorgoingtoimpactyou?Orienttotherealityofyourobservation.Shouldyoumoveleft,right,up,ordown?Shouldyouadjustpricingormoveintothemarketplacefaster?Decideonacourseofaction.Dependingon thecomplexityand stakes involved, thiscanbeasimplechoiceoramorecomplexdecisionafteranalyzingmultiplecoursesofaction.Act—nothinghappens in lifeuntilwe takemassiveaction.Afteryou take thataction,youwillimmediatelyobservetheimpactofyouraction.Orienttotheresults,makeanotherdecision,andthecyclecontinues.

Yourgoalistomasterthisloop,seekingtominimizeyourteam'sperformancetime.Incombat,oranyhighlycompetitivesituation,agoodstrategyistoconfuseorsurpriseyouropponentintoslowingtheirOODAloopprocessingtime.Thusyouaremovingfasterwhileyourcompetitorhassloweddown,givingyourteamagreatcompetitiveadvantage.Thisrapidplanningtoolisgreatforon-the-flyadjustmentstoyourplanninganddecisionmaking.WhencombinedwithPROP,itisapowerfultoolforoptimizingyourdecisionsandshorteningyourplanningcycles.Ifyouhavemoretimeandmustparsethroughmoredata,thenfallingbackonthemoredeliberateSMEACprocessmaymakemoresense.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:OODALoop

VisualizeSuccessYoulearnedinthischapterhowyourmindcantrickyou,andthenyoustudiedafewmental

modelsasaninsurancepolicyagainstthis.Thefinalskillofmentallytoughleadersistochangethecontentandenergyofyourmindthroughstructuredvisualization.Visualizationisanincrediblypowerfultechniquethatwillenhanceyourmentalstrength,allowyoutotapintomoreofyourmindpower,andallowyoutoaccomplishmorechallengingtasks.Itisthemoreadvancedcomponentofthelawof"winfirstinyourmind,"andaswediscussedinChapterOne,manygreatinventors,entrepreneurs,andathletesusesomeformofvisualizationtocreatetheirdesiredoutcomesintheirmindswhiletheyactpowerfullyintheworld.Itistimewemadethisaroutineskill.

Visualizationisthecreationorrecreationofanexternalexperienceinyourmind.EarlypioneersofthisskillincludemyownswimcoachatColgateUniversity.CoachBensonhadmeswimthetwo-hundred-meterbreaststrokeinmymindwithastopwatchbeforebedatnight.Othersports

psychologistsandtopcoachesbeganusingvisualizationtoenhanceperformanceinthe‘90'sandmostOlympiansreportusingitwithgreatbenefitintheirtraining.Therearetwomajorformsofthepracticeofvisualization.

Mentalprojectionisvisualizingapersonalfuturestateorvictory.Visualizedimagescreateenergyaroundadesiredfutureexperiencebeforeyouexperienceit"forreal."IcallthistypeofvisualizationaFutureMevisualizationbecauseyouareenvisioningafuture"ideal"versionofyourself.EarningtheSEALTridentisanexampleofa"futureme"visualization.Achievingamajormilestonewithanewbusinessventureisanotherexample.Ineithercaseyoucreatetheeventinyourmindwellbeforeithappens.Thevisualizedeventisthenchargedwithemotionsandvividcolors,sounds,smell,andtastes.Youwillreinforcethosevisualimagesthroughrepeatedpracticesessions.Thisprocessplantsapowerfulseedinyoursubconsciousmind.Thenasyouworkonachievingthegoal(setaccordingtoSMARTP-FITSandfollowingyourSMEACplanofcourse),yoursubconsciousmindgoesaboutsupportingyouwiththeresourcesnecessarytonurturetheeventtoitsfruition.InasenseyoucouldsaythatvisualizationrewirestheSystem1braintoalignwithyourgoals,andisapartoftrainingthezookeeper.

ThesecondformofvisualizationisaMentalRehearsal,wherebyyoupracticeaskillorprepareforaneventinyourmind.ASEALplatoonwill"dirtdive"amissiontosetthepatternsforwinninginthemindpriortoexecutingitforreal.TheSEALoperatorwillwalkthroughadiveprofileondrylandwhilevisualizingeverydetail.Inthismannerheperformsallthemajorelementsofthedivebeforeevergettingwet.ThiswasanimportantpartofmymissionprepwhenIwasatSEALDeliveryVehicleTeam1.Themini-subdiveswereoftensixtotenhoursindurationrepletewithcomplicatednavigationpatterns.DirtdivingthemissionspriortolaunchprovedcrucialduringthemissionwhenfatigueandMurphy'sLawrearedtheirheads.Thementalrehearsalimplantedtherouteinbothconsciousandsubconsciousmindsandprovidedamemoryaidaswellassubtlephysiologicalcues.Additionally,ithelpedidentifypotentialchallengesbeforethemissionhittherealityofthedeepface-to-face.

Bothformsofvisualizationcanbeperformedfromthefirstpersonorthirdpersonperspective.WhatImeanbythisisthattheycanbeimagedfromyoursubjectiveframeasifyouhadahelmetcameraon,orimagedfromyourobjectiveframeasifwatchingyourselfinamovie.Eithermethodiseffective;however,mostpeoplestartwiththeobjectiveframeandthenmigratetothesubjectiveframeastheygainexperience.

Let'sreviewwhyyouwillwanttoaddthispowerfultooltoyourmentaltoolkit.First,itleadstoimprovedconcentrationinthatthepracticeofvisualizationrequiresyoutodevelopgreaterpowersofconcentrationduetotheeffortrequiredtoconstructandmaintainthevisualimagery.Intheearlystages,thetrainingcanbefrustrating,especiallyifyouhavedifficultyholdinganimageinyourmindforlong.Youmaybemorekinestheticorauditoryinnature;thusdevelopingthecapacitytovisualizewilltakepatience.

Second,youwillexperienceenhancedconfidenceastheresultofthetraining.Whenyoucanclearlyvisualizeaneventskillinadvance,yourmentalpracticeisacceptedasrealbyyourbody.Thoughnotasvisceralasthephysicaldoingoftheevent,thevisualpracticeisstillfeltinternallyandstrengthensakeymuscleinanypracticesession—itleadstomoreconfidenceeverytimeyoudoit,andasyouseeimprovement,yourconfidenceincreasesexponentially.Researchhasproventhatvisualizingyourselfthrowingabasketballintoahoopleadstobetterperformancegainsthandoingitforreal.Thisisbecauseyoucanpracticetheshotsperfectlyinyourmind,afeatdifficulttopulloffinthephysicalrealm.

Next,closelyrelatedtoconfidenceistheenhancedemotionalcontrolyouwillexperience.Ifyoufearperformingtosomedegree,whichwealldo(especiallyforunsettlingthingssuchaspublic

speaking),visualizingtheperformancerepeatedlywilldampenthatfearresponsewhenyouperformtheeventlive.

Afinalnoteonvisualization:Whendonewell,avisualizedeventinvolvesthesensationsoffeelings,emotions,andsoundstosupporttheimagery.Theobjectiveistocreateasrealisticamentalrepresentationaspossible,asifyouarereallyexperiencingit.Thatiswhyitisreallyimportanttoensurethatyourimageispositive,powerful,andasneartoperfectaspossible.

BeaMoraleOfficerThefinalsetofskillsformentaltoughnessispositivity.YoulearnedinChaptersOneandTwo

thatyourmindischargedthroughlifeexperiencestobeeitherpositiveandcourageousornegativeandfearful.Internaldialogueandbeliefsaffectyourthoughtpatternsandimpactperformance.Further,youlearnedearlierinthischapterthatthenatureofthemammalianmindistoconstantlyscanforthreatsandbepoisedtoreacttothem.Isitanywonderthatourmindsfeelaconstanttugtowardnegativity?

Itisimperativethatallleaderstraintheirmindstobethe"moraleofficer"inchargeofyourownmoraleandthemoraleoftheteam.Youachievethisbytrainingtoalwaysremainpositive.Positivityalignswiththeuniversallawofattraction.Apositivestateofmindattractspositivesupportandteammatestohelpyouaccomplishyourgoals.Positivityisalsoimperativeasyoustrivetodevelophigherstatesofconsciousnessandspiritualgrowth(seeChapterEleven).Itiseasytogetstuckinnegativityduetohowourbrainsworkandbecausewecaninternalizenegativeassociationsfromcircumstancesthatimpactusdeeply,suchasadeathoratrauma.Bymaintainingavigilantwitnessinourmindsandconstantlyfeedingthecouragewolf,negativitywillatrophy,andpositivitywillpropelyoutohigherstatesofconsciousness.

IfoundtheworkofthelateDr.DavidHawkinstobeparticularlyvaluableinthisareaofresearch.InhisbookPowervs.Force,Dr.Hawkinsparsesconsciousnessenergyintolevelsofnegativityandpositivity.Hegoesintogreatdepthaboutthefeelingsandassociatedbehaviorsofeachlevel.

Dr.Hawkinsshowsthatwhenweactbelowthelevelofcourage,weareinnegativeterritory.Ourgoalistoconditionourselvestofeedthecouragewolfsoweremainatorabovethelevelofcourage.Ideallyweareenergeticallyalignedwithoptimism,acceptance,gratitudeandlove.Dr.Hawkins’positivitystages,whichwillstrengthenperformanceanddevelopyourconsciousness,showninprogressionfrommoderatetohighestpositiveenergy,are:

1. Courage2. Trust3. Optimism4. Forgiveness5. Acceptance6. Reverence,Love7. Joy,Serenity8. Peace,Bliss

Negativeattitudesattractnegativeenergyandweakenthemindandbody,degradingperformanceandlifeingeneral.Furthermore,ifallowedtodominate,theseenergieswillinterruptgrowthandleadtostagnationatlowerlevelsofconsciousness.Therelentlessdrumbeatofnegativityfromnetworknews,negativeself-talk,orgossipexacerbatesthisproblem.TheHawkins’negativitystagesofconsciousness,showninprogressionfromlowtolowestenergy,are:

1. Pride,Scorn2. Anger,Hate3. Desire,Craving4. Anxiety5. Grief,Regret6. Apathy,Despair7. Guilt,Blame8. Shame,Humiliation

Changingthenegativebeliefanddialoguetoapositiveonewilldramaticallyimpactperformance—personallyandwithyourteam.Usingthewitnessprocess,younowhaveapowerfultoolformaintainingpositivity.Identifythespacebetweenathoughtoremotionandthereaction.Asyouwitnessnegativity,interdictit(inotherwordscancelthenegativethoughtpatterns),andthenredirectthemindtowardoneofthepositivepatternsnotedabove.Interdictionisdonewithapowerstatementthatwillinterruptthenegativethoughtsandenergy.Oncethenegativethoughtpatternhasbeensuccessfullyinterdicted,itismaintainedwithyourmantra,suchasmine,whichis:"lookinggood,feelinggood,oughtabeinHollywood!"

Nowthatwe’retakingthisdiscussionofpositivefocustothenextlevelforyouleaders,letmementionthatourbodiesmustgetintothis“moraleofficer”gameaswell.Apowerstatementcanbesupportedwithapowerposture.Saying,"Igotthis"whileslouchedinadefeatedpositionisself-defeating.Yoursubconsciousmindwillfeeltheweakpositionandoverridethepowerstatement.Bettertostackthedeckinyourfavorbycombiningapowerstatementandmantrawithapowerfulbodyposition.WhenIsensethefeardognippingatSEALFITtraineesduringagruelingworkout,Iwillshoutoutapowerstatementandthrowmyarmintotheairinapowerposturesignofstrength.Theathletesjoinin,andIwatchastheirattitudesandbodylanguagechangeimmediately,asifjoltedbyaboltofelectricity.Soontheyaresmiling,andtheworstofthesufferingisbehindthem.Sprinklinginadoseofhumorputsthefinishonyourroleasamoraleofficer.

Nowthatweunderstandtheintricaciesofourmindsandhavenewskillsformentallytoughleadershipandkick-assperformance,let'sturnourattentiontodevelopingapowerfulteam.Therealityis,atrueeliteleaderhoneshisorherskillsandsignificantlyadvancespersonalevolutioninthecrucibleoftheteam,becomingamasterthroughtheexperienceofhelpingotherstomasterthemselvesaswell.Inotherwords,thesynergyofastrongteamelevateseveryone’sgame.Let’slookathowthisispossible.

Section5:BuildYourTeamAndTakeAction

ChapterNine:TeamLeadership

Uptothispoint,wehavefocusedondevelopingpersonalmastery.ButmyguessisthatnoneofyouisaRambowarrioroperatingsoloinanuncaringworld,oraspiritualrenunciate,denyinghumancontact,speechornormalhumanjoys.Althoughthereareexamplesoftheseindividualsfollowingsuchpathsastheir“darmha”(theBuddhistwordforpurpose),theyareasmallminority,andIdon’trecommendeither.Infact,tosupportmyrecommendation,takealookattherenunciationvowsoftheCatholicChurchpriesthood–howisthatworkingoutforthem?Notwell,obviously,withsexabusescandalsgaloreundoubtablyduetotherepressioncausedbythegoodintentioned,butill-informedplan.

Iimaginethatyouoperateinacomplicatedwebofinterpersonalrelationshipsandteams.Theseinclude,butarenotlimitedto,yourimmediateandextendedfamily,workandprofessionalnetworkteams,asportorathleticteam,andacircleoffriends..Buthowoftenhaveyouparticipatedonateamwheretheteammatesserveeachother,neverquit,haveaterrificattitudeandachievevictorytimeaftertime?Iamwillingtobetnotveryoften,ifever.Let’sworktochangethat.

SomethingInoticedwhenIwasintheSEALTeamswashowmuchapowerfulteamelevatedmeasanindividual,leadingtohigherperformanceandasenseofwell-beingandgrowth.Ontheotherhand,IalsonoticedhowthedysfunctionalteamsIparticipatedonsoweddiscontent,mademeagitatedandslowedthingsdown,hamperingmyperformanceandtheteam’scollectiveperformance.Thispointisanunder-appreciatedaspectofteams:Theteamaffectstheindividualjustasmuchastheindividualaffectstheteam.Abadteamwillspoilanindividual,andonebadappleontheteamcanruinthewholebunch.Thisprincipleisveryimportantandshouldimpacthowyourecruit,select,acculturate,train,andmaintainpeakperformancewithyourteams.

TheUnbeatableMindwayistoelevateteammasterytothesamelevelofimportanceaspersonalmasterybecausetheyareintimatelylinked.WemuststrivetobringteamsintotheUnbeatableMindphilosophyandtrainingframework—ateamthattrainstogetheroutperformstogether.Thepurposeofthischapteristoopenadialogueabouthowtodevelopteammastery.Thisisjustanoverviewtopresentsomenewthinkingandtools,asthesubjectdeservesmoreattentionthanIcangiveithere.

Teamtrainingcantakemanyforms,thedesigndependinguponyourgoals,howmuchtimeyouhave(neverenough),yourbudget(somuchiswastedonjunktrainingwithnoimpact),andthenatureofyourworkenvironment(especiallytheriskfactorsinvolved).Whetheryoudodailyorweeklyworkouts,brownbagluncheswithspeakersandcasestudies,reality-basedscenariosandmissions,oranannualoutdooradventure,Irecommendyougetseriousaboutteamtraining.

WhenIwasintheSEALs,everyonetrainedallthetime.Buttheunitsthattooktrainingthemostseriouslyfaroutperformedtherest.Teamtrainingmustbesupportedbythewholeorganizationandshouldnotbeseenasarandomoccurrence,adrainonproductivityoranuisancebytheleadership.Inadditiontoskilldevelopment,teamsthatrelyonphysicalwork,suchasthemilitarywarrior,firstresponder,electricallinemanorroughneck,benefitgreatlyfromawell-designeddailyfunctionalfitnessprogramcombinedwithperiodicchallenges.Ateamworkoutwillrampupcamaraderie,accountabilityandrespectontheteam.DidImentionthatperformancesoarswhenateamworksouttogether?AgoodexampleofthisprinciplehasbeenimplementedbytheSouthernLinemanTrainingCenter(SLTC)intheSoutheast.Thiscompany,whichtrainselectricallineman,usesthedailySEALFITworkoutandperiodic20Xchallengestotrainthestaffandstudents,withexcellentresults.

Iwouldliketooffertensimpleguidelinestoconsiderwhenestablishingteamtraining,whichwillsetthestageforsuccess:

1. Participation should be mandatory—sharing risk and experience is a key factor in a team'scohesion.Ateammatewhohappenstobesick,hurtorbusyeverytimethetrainingcomesaroundisquicklynoticed,withdiminishedtrustandprofessionalrespectsoontofollow.

2. Ensurethatall teammateschecktheiregosat thedoor—participation,ateamversusindividualfocus,andbesteffortfaroutweighimpressiveperformanceinatrainingevent.

3. If the training involves a physical challenge, ensure that you understand the safemethods forscalingtheexercisesanddrillsforthoselessphysicallycapable.Thismakesitsafeforall,andremoves thevery realconcernsof injuryby less-trained (not lesscompetent) individuals.Thepointistoprovideavehicleofgrowthforallandnottohurtorembarrassanyone.

4. Someonemustbedesignatedtoleadthetrainingifyou,theroleleader,aren’tfeelingcompetentenoughorlackthetimetodoit.Theappointedleadershouldplanthesession,provideforsafetyconsiderations,briefthemission,leadthedebriefandmostimportant,participate.

5. Ifyoudodecidetoleadthetraining,itisagoodideatohand-offleadershiprolesonceinawhileto give others a chance to experience the role and share the wealth of learning and theresponsibility.Trainingisafail-safewaytodevelopleadershipaswellasteamcohesiveness.

6. When it comes to physical training (such as with CrossFit or SEALFIT), insist on accuracybeforeintensity.Itiskeytoensureproperformisdevelopedonthemovementsandliftsbeforegoinghogwildwithloadsandspeed.Injuriesoccurwhennewcomersmovetoofastwithpoorform.Iexperiencedthismyselfandnowtakeconsiderabletimetoon-rampnewathletesatmytraining center. When consistent accuracy and ability to move the external loads safely isevidenced in action, then it is fine to ratchet-up the intensity. A note on honesty in training:nothingwilldestroytrustquickerthanateammatecheatingonasimplethingliketherepetitioncountorshortcuttingtherangeofmotiononamovement.Noonewantstowatchateammatedohalftheworkinhalfthetime,ormoveatremendousloadhalfthedistance,thenmarvelathisorherbrilliantperformance!

7. Engageexpertstohelptaketheteamtoahigherlevel:hireacoachtoleadtraining,orasubjectmatter expert to teacha seminar that trains the trainers.Therearea lotofnuances in trainingteamsand though itmaybe alluring todo it in-house, the resultswill speak for themselves. Ihavedoneitbothwaysandnowroutinelybringinexpertstoguidemyteam’sdevelopment.

8. Havetheentireteamparticipateinthesetup, thebrief,mid-trainingequipmentadjustments, thedebriefandcleanupofeachtrainingevent.Itisnoticedandfrownedupontohavesomeonepopinmid-waythroughatrainingevent,orbailassoonasitisover,leavingthedebriefandcleanuptotherestoftheteam.

9. Safety trumps being hardcore. The biggest benefits of training accrue from consistent effortoveranextendeddurationoftime(notonetime,butmonthsandyears).ItdoesnothingtohitaworkoutlikeanNFLlinebacker,andthenbetoosoretodoanythingforaweek.Youstartbackatgroundzero every timewith that approach. Instead,developan awarenessofyour thresholds,assesstheriskfactors,andthenplantotrainbelowyourthresholds.Thisapproachwillmitigatetheriskofasidelininginjury.Thesafetyoftheindividuals,andbyextension,thewholeteam,ismore important than proving that you can train harder than everyone else. Having said that,consistent effort by the entire team over extended periods of time will produce astoundingresults.

10. Andfinally,makesuretrainingisfun.Thereisnolongevitywithatrainingprogramthatisjusttoohard,tooboringorilldesigned.Fortrainingtohavethedesired,long-termgrowthimpact

sought, itshouldbesuper-funandrewarding.If it isnot, then takeahard lookatwhynotandchangeitup.

Beyondphysicaltraining,let’slookatsomeothertoolsandtacticstotrainteammastery.

PromoteFailureandRiskTakingItisnosurprisethatIpromotetheprincipleofrisktakingandpushingtothebrinkoffailureto

learnandgrow.Sittingonourlaurelsandavoidingrisksleadstostagnationandfearortheunknown.Themainunknown,inthiscase,isyourowncapacitytotacklechallengingthingswellandtoendurethediscomfortandpainthataccompaniesthem.Thesameappliestoyourteam,whichwillbetimidandunsureunlesschallenged.Youmustsettheconditionsforyourteamtotakerisksinordertolearn.Youmustalsobewillingtoleadbyexampleandtakepersonalrisks,andevenfailinfrontofyourteam.Yourauthenticityasaleaderisenhanceddramatically,especiallyasyourteamobservesyoufailandreboundfromit.ThispointissoimportantIwillreiterateitonemoretime:asaleader,youmustdoyourpartincreatinganenvironmentwherefailureandrisk-takingareencouragedandsupportedaspositiveaspectsoftrainingandoperation.

Iamnotsuggestingthatyoubecomereckless.Onthecontrary,thetrainingIproposeincludesplanningandmanagingriskdeliberately.Ioftendesigntrainingthatlookslikeitsimplycannotbeaccomplished,andamoccasionallysurprisedwhenitis.Yes,itcanbefrustratinganditrequiresemotionalcontrol,butthisuncommonapproachgivesthetraineesasensethatnoteverythingisan“easyday”orwillgoasplanned.Theymustlearntoinnovate,adaptandovercomeonthefly.Thepointwhenimminentfailureisacknowledgedbecomesavividteamlearningmoment.Theteammuststop,regroup,communicateunderpressureandcomeupwithadifferentsolution.Whatwentwrong?Whatwouldworkbetter?Whereshouldwegofromhere?Intheteamdebrief,youcangivethemfeedback,suchasaskingwhattheylearnedaboutthemselves,whattheirreactionwastothemindgametheinstructorsplayedonthem,andhowtheycanrespondbetterthenexttime.TeamsdevelopthatFailForwardFast(3F)mentalitywespokeofearlierastheygetcomfortablewithelevatedrisk.Usethecrawl,walk,runapproachwiththismethodforbestresults.Ultimately,themorechallengingtheevent,themorevaluablethelessonsandthedeeperthemastery.

ThereIsNoIinTeamIfyou'veeverhadtheprivilegetobeonagreatteam,suchasawinningsportsteamoranelite

specialopsteam,you'llimplicitlyunderstandthesaying"thereisnoIinteam."AsidefromtheobviouspointthatateamisagroupofI’scomingtogethertoaccomplishamission,therealityisthatoncetheteamisformed,theIyieldstotheWe.Soteammatesmustcometotheteamandthentaketheireyesoffofthemselves,settingthemontotheirteammatesandthemission.

Somemaythinkyousacrificeyourselfwiththisapproach,withallthatfocusonothersandnotenoughonyourself.Thatispatentlyfalse.Whatactuallyhappensisthatyounowhaveanentireteamlookingafteryourinterests.Yourinterestsalignwiththeteam'sinterests.Thatisoneofthereasonswhyyouwillgrowstrongeronastrongteamversusaweakteam.Thebottomlineisthateffectiveteamtrainingmakesforresilientteamsfullofmentallytoughindividuals.Theindividualsaretougherthantheywouldbeifoperatingassolepractitioners.Somyadviceistotakea3Sphereapproachtodevelopment:createtheconditionsfortheindividualstomaximizetheirpotential,thenelevateteamtraininginimportancetofurthersupportindividualdevelopment.Holdteamsaccountabletoahighstandardof“we”andthengetoutoftheirway.Watchteamperformanceandtheattitudesoftheteammatesimprovedramatically,whichwillpositivelyimpactperformanceinallotherareas.

GetRealSEALspridethemselvesontrainingmorerealisticallythananyotherspecialopsforce.When

thecallcomestogetinthefight,itisjustanotherday.Infact,IwasponderingthiswhenIwatchedthemovieCaptainPhillips,aboutthemerchantskippertakenhostagebySomalipirates.AfewoftheSEALsniperswhoendedthatscenariowerebuddiesofmine,andtheysaiditwas"justanotherop,"inspiteofthemediafrenzyaroundtheirremarkablesniperskills.Theyhadtrainedsolongandrealisticallyforthattypeofmissionthatwhenthemissioncame,itwasnobigdeal.Infact,themoviedoesagreatjobofportrayingtheirnonchalanceastheysaunteroffaftertheop.Theywerenothoppingaroundgivinghigh-fivesandliningupforthecameras.Whatgreatbehaviortomodel:Justdoyourjobwellwithoutanyexpectationoffameoffortune,andmoveon.BettertobelikeaSEALandsimplyvanishintothebackgroundtoawaityournextassignment.UnfortunatelythisbehaviorwasnotfollowedaftertheBinLadenraid,duetotheenormousmediaandpoliticalpressureontheoperatorsinvolvedtospeakpubliclyaboutthemission.

Let'slookatthisconceptforyourteam'straining.Whatevertrainingisrightforyou,endeavortomakeitasrealaspossible.Seethegym,range,orcasestudyasalaboratoryenvironmentusedtotrainwhenyoucan'tgetoutintotherealworld.Thentrytogetintothefieldforrealistic,scenario-basedtrainingasoftenaspossible.Dothingsthatreplicatetheactualjoboftheteam.ForSEALFITthatmeansweperformexercisesthatlooklikewhataspecialoperatormayfaceinthefield,suchasropeclimbs,weightedboxsteps,andfarmercarries.Foranuclearpowercompanyclientofmineitmeantsimulatingadamagednuclearreactorandgoingthroughanextremelyrealisticcrisisreactiondrill.Thesetypesofthingsarecommonwhentheriskishighandlesscommon,butequallyvaluable,whentheriskislower.

Themoreyourtrainingisliketherealdeal,themorementallypreparedyourteamwillbe.Theywillhavea"beenthere,donethat"stateofmindbecauseofthesimulatedenvironment.Thistypeofworkhelpstopreparethemfortheknownaswellastheunknownfactorsaffectingperformance.TheSEALethossays,"Wetrainforwar,fighttowin,anddefeatournation'senemies."Sowetrainforwarbysimulatingwar.Itishardtothepointofdisbelief,butwecertainlyappreciateditwheninthehotzone.TheSEALs,andotherelitemilitaryunits,havelearnedthatthemoretheytraininpeace,thelesstheybleedinwar!

FunctionalTeamTrainingIcoveredthisinsomedetailabovebutwillhititagainherefromanotherangle.Ifyoucan

performphysicalfitnesstrainingwithyourteam,thendoit.It’sexceptionallyrewarding.Ifyoucandoit,thenthetrainingshouldbefunctionaland,equallyimportant,donetogetherasateam(asopposedtojustofferinganopengymoryogaroomenvironment).Itismuchmorefunandbeneficialtotrainwithateam,anditfacilitatesleadershipandteamcohesion.Functionaltrainingmeansthatyouaretrainingthebodyoftheindividualsandthecollectiveteamtomovesafelyandnaturally,whichhasaneffectonconfidence,mobilityandlong-termhealth.Theywillstayengagedonthejobwithlowerriskofinjuryorburnout.Forinstance,inatypicalofficegym,youhaveafewexcessivelycomplicatedmachinesthattriangulatethebodysoyoucanisolateasinglemusclegroup.Buthowoftendoyouconfigureyourbodysoyouarelimitedtousingjustanarmtothrowsomethingorusingasinglelegtoclimbatree?Itseemsprettysillywhenyoustoptothinkaboutit.Wedon'tmoveinisolationnaturally,sowhohadthegeniusideathatweshouldtrainourbodiesthatway?Therearesomeforward-learningcorporationsthatarebuildingCrossFit®orsimplefunctionaltraininggymsintotheirworkspaces.Thisisaninspiringdevelopmentwithgreatpotentialtopositivelyimpactthe

healthandproductivityoftheworkforce—assumingtheystaffitwithtrainedcoaches.Incidentallythereisasimilarmovementinsomecharterschools,whichbodeswellforthefuturehealthofthenation.

Anotherdefiningattributeoffunctionalfitnesstrainingisthatitis,well,hard.WehaveasayingatSEALFIT:wedotodaywhatotherswon'tsowecandotomorrowwhatotherscan't.Thepointcomesupagain:hardworkisgoodforyouandshouldn'tbeavoided.Ourpopcultureandheavy-handedregulatorygovernmenthavevilifiedanythinghardas"bad."Thisisashamebecausewehumansrespondtohardworkwithgrowthandweatrophywhenthingsaretooeasy.Thecultureof"easy"isfurtherperpetuatedbythemediaandconglomerateindustriesthatpushourculturetowardshort-termpleasureattheexpenseofwhatisgoodforusinthelongrun.

AtmySEALFITtrainingcenter,hardworkisdefinedasbelow-thresholdstrengthandstaminadevelopment,withshortburstsofintenseandoftengut-wrenchingthresholdtrainingtodevelopthecapacitytoworkevenharder.Italsohappenstobeintenselyrewardingandablast.Thetrainingculminatesperiodically(every12-18months)withabigchallenge,suchasour50-hourKokoroCamp,theshorter,butstillintense20XChallengeorGORUCKandSpartanevents(Moreonthesetypesofchallengesnext).Thistypeoffunctional-fitnesstrainingforgesteamspirit,mentaltoughnessandatenaciousedge.Itcreatesa"newnormal"forwhatitmeanstoworkhard,witharevampedperspectiveonwhatyoucanaccomplishpersonally,andwhataunifiedteamcanaccomplish.Hardfunctionalteamtrainingbuildsgritandmakesyoumoreusefultoyourorganizations,families,andcommunities.

MindGamesandChallengesWorkingharderisjustpartofthesolution;structuringteamtrainingtodeveloptheawareness

oftheteamturnsitfromone-dimensionaltoamulti-dimensionaltrainingtool.Expandingyourteam'ssenseofwhatispossibleinoneofthefivemountains,suchasthephysicalmountain,allowsthemtoperformbeyondpreviousmentaloremotionallimitsonothertasksaswell.IofteninjectmindgamesintotrainingtorequiretraineestotapintotheBigFourMentalToughnessSkillsofgoalsetting,breathing,positivity,andvisualization.HerearesomeexamplesofmindgamesIuse:

Falsesummits:We'reattheendofagrueling,fast-pacedsix-milerun.Thefinishlineloomsahead,youseethetrainingcenter,andyoubegintoanticipatearelieffromtheagony.You'realmostthere…justafewmoreseconds…wait!Ohno…whyaren'tthetrainersstopping?Suddenlyyourworldisshockedasyouadjusttothenewrealitythatyourrunapparentlyisn’tquiteover.Sometraineesdropout,handsonkneesandheavingforair,becausetheycan'trecoverpsychologicallyfromtheletdown.Iamsureyoucanunderstandhowpotentthistrainingisintheengineeringofmentalandemotionalresilience.Howofteninlifedocircumstanceswhiparoundrightwhenyoubelievedyouhadit,justwhenyouthoughtyouhadmadeittothetop?Canyoupivotonadimetorechargeyoureffortswithenthusiasm?Thefalsesummittrainingteachesyoutoabandontheletdownimmediatelyandpositivelyleanintothenewreality.

There’stheuseofchaosinthisareaoftraining:movefaster…dropdown…onyourfeet…dropdown…justwhoisinchargeofthisgoatropeanyhow?Chaoscanbeextremelydisorientingandthefeelingofbeingoutofsortsverydemotivating.Thesimulationofchaoscaninducefearandalack-of-controlfeelingthatmustbeovercometosolvethechallenge.Thisformoftrainingmayelicithowlsofprotestatfirst,butit’syourjobtoeducatetheteam:Thepointisnottoharassthembuttoinoculatethemagainstfailurewhenreal-worldchaosandrapidchangesetin.Thistrainingisbestissuedbyexperiencedtrainerswhocomprehendhowtodeliverintensitywithoutitcomingoffasfeelinglikeharassment.Itisdeliveredwithagenuine,heart-feltdesiretohelptheindividualsrealizetheirinnatecapacities.OneofthereasonsKokoroCamphasaworldwidereputationforits

authenticityandabilitytogeneraterealbreakthroughsisourwillingnesstoperformthisleveloftrainingandthecarethatwetakeindeliveringit. Imaginehowvaluableitwouldbetoknowyouandyourteamarepreparedwhenthatunexpectedchangearrives.Theteamwilldevelopemotionalcontrolandmaintaincalminthecenterofanystorm.Asmentioned,itishardto"get"thisprinciplefromthesidelines.Itmustbeexperiencedpersonallytounderstandthebenefits.

GototheChallengeYou,yourteamsandorganizationswillbetestedgreatlyintheyearsahead.Itisjustthewaythingare,andalwayshavebeen.Oneofourstandsisthatdestinyfavorstheprepared,inmind,bodyandspirit.Sointhiscontextitmakessensetomeetthechallengeheadon,beforeitcomestotheteam.You,theteamandtheorganizationasawholewillbebetterpreparedtohandleallchallengeswithresiliencyifyoudeliberatelychallengetheteambeyondthenorminadvance.Irecommendaweeklyandmonthlychallengeofaphysicalandmentalnaturerequiringanextralevelofcommitmenttocomplete.ThesecancomeinmanyformsandIsuggesttryingthephysicalchallengesbelow.Thoughsomemayseemunreasonableatfirst,whenyoucompletethemyourteam’sconfidenceandinternalstrengthwillbefortified.

Challengesdon'thavetobephysical,ofcourse.IhavefoundthatifyoucanidentifyorcreateachallengethathasaFiveMountainnaturetoit,growthcomesfasterbecauseitisanembodiedlearningexperience.Thatiswhycrucibletrainingissoeffective—itworksonthetraineephysically,mentally,emotionally,intuitionally,andspiritually.ManyoftheathletesItrainedwhowentontobeSEALstellmethattheactualSEALHellWeekwaseasy(arelativeterm,ofcourse)forthemafterdoingKokoroCamp.Challengeswithoutaphysicalcomponentcanstillbeveryeffective,suchastakingonanewlanguageoramusicalinstrument,orembarkinguponaserviceprojectinathird-worldvillage.Spirituallyorientedchallenges,suchasaten-daysilentretreat,athirty-dayyogaimmersionoravisionquestareexcellentchoicesaswell.Thepointistochooseachallengeandgettoit!

Challengescanbemajor,likethosecitedabove,butevenamoresanguinechallengeonceaweekormonthwillgoalongwaytowardexploringyouredgeandpropellingyourgrowth.Belowisasuggestedlistofphysicalandmentalchallengesyoucanconsidertakingon.Besuretothoroughlyprepareforeachexercise,scaleasnecessary,andreservesomerecoverytimeforafterit’sover.

Safetytip1:Itisimportanttolistentoyourbodyduringachallengeeventsuchasthoseproposedbelow.Ifapotentialinjuryislooming,don'tgutyourwaythroughit.That’snotdetermination,it’sstupidity.It’syouregotakingthehelm.Backoffandtrythechallengeanotherday,there'snoreasontoriskinjurytoprovesomething.

Safetytip2:Ifyouorateammateiscompletelyuntrained,don'tattempttoexecutetheseexercises.VisitSEALFIT.comtocheckouttheonlinetrainingandexercisevideosorattendaSEALFITFundamentalsAcademyandworktoabaselinelevelofcompetence.Trainhard,butbesmart.Doingthefollowingchallengeswithyourteamshouldbegreatfun,notleadtoinjuryorfrustration.

20Xphysical-mentalchallenges—scaletotwo-thirdsforintermediateathletesandone-thirdforbeginnerswhohavetheskillstoperformthetasks.

1,000push-ups1,000sit-ups

1,000pull-ups100ropeascents1,000eight-countbodybuilders1,000burpees3,000KettlebellswingsinthirtydaysOne-milewalkinglungewearingatwenty-poundvest

Whenready,trythefirstonetounderstandhowshatteringaparadigmbuildsextremeconfidenceinyourabilitytopushthroughself-imposedlimitsandmeetyournew20xfactor.

UseStandardOperatingProceduresStandardoperatingprocedures(SOPs)areprocessesforroutine,mundanetasksthatcarry

greatriskifnotdonethesamewayeverytime.AnexampleistheSOPforaSEALassaultteamenteringahouseonadirectactionraid.Imaginethechaosiftheyusedadifferentwayeverytimeorifonememberoftheteamdecidedhehadabetterwayofdoingitonhisown.Itwouldbeamess,eveniftheenemywassleeping.Imagineapilotandcopilotwingingthetakeoffproceduresfora747.Notacomfortingthought.

SOPscanbeagreattoolfordevelopingtoughteamsbecausetheygeteveryoneperformingtothesamestandardandingrainingthatroutineintotheir“System1”minds.Thisthenfreesuptheindividual's“System2”mindformorecreativesolutionstotheotherchallengesthatwillinevitablyarise.SOP’scanhelpusgetoutoftherational,linearmindandintothenon-rational,holisticmind,leadingtomoreintegratedsolutionsandahigherorderofthinking.SOPsalsohelpuspreventmistakesofjudgmentatateamlevel.Essentiallywetrainthemundanetoallowustoaccessflowandactwithvirtuosityatthepointofgreatestintensityinaprocessormission.

WhatroutinetaskssurroundingteamtrainingcanbebuiltintoSOPs?Herearesomeideastoconsider:

1. ThestructureofatrainingplanitselfcanbeanSOP.Theperiodicity,duration,andeventlayoutcanbedoneinasimilarformatandsequenceeverytime.

2. Thepre-trainingpreparationcanbeanSOP.Thisincludestheequipmentprep,individualprep,thebriefandthewarm-up.

3. Theflowof the trainingcanbeanSOP.Howthe teammates interact tosupporteachotherandkeepthetrainingsessionsmovingalongbetweenelementscanbestructured.

4. Thedebriefandpost-trainingOODAfeedbackloopcanbeanSOP.5. ThecommunicationprotocolscanbeanSOP.

Greatteamsstrivetostandardizeroutinetaskslikethoseabove(thelistappliestoanytypeoftraining,notjustphysicalskilltraining)sothattimeisnotwastedreinventingthepush-upeverytimesomeonenewcomesontheteam.NewideasandimprovementstoSOPsareencouraged,butnotonthefly.Thepost-trainingdebriefistheplacetodiscusschanges,whichcanbeimplementedinfuturetraining.

KeepItSimple,AgainIwillkeepthisshortbecausewehaveaddressedthisprincipleindetailalready.Whenitcomes

toteamtraining,theKISSprincipleappliestotheequipment,methods,andmovementsselected.Thebestteamtrainingissimple.Simple—noteasy.Youmayhaveblownalotoftimeon3Dcomputersimulationsorthelatestinmonitoringequipmentthathadlittleimpactonteameffectiveness.Ican

trainateammoreeffectivelywithabunchofheavyrocksthanallthe$10,000machinesinaGold'sGymcombined.Simpletoolsandmethodsleadtomorecreativesolutionsandamorefunctionallyeffectiveresult.

Complicatedtrainingandworkoutswithcomplicatedexercisescanconfuseoreveninjureyourteam.Keepitsimpleintermsoftools,workoutprotocol,instructions,andorganization.Agoodlog,aweightvest,alargespacewithapull-upbarandacollectionofdumbbellshasalltherightstuff.Getcreative,andbuildyourownequipmentifnecessary.Aboveall,keepthementalcluttertoaminimum.Measuresuccesswithbenchmarkstobuildteamconfidenceandenhanceteamfortitude.Asyourteamgetstougher,youwillgettougher,andyouwillprogresstowardmasteryasanindividualandleader.

Inthenextchapter,wewillexaminesomecharactertraitsyoucanexpecttocultivatenaturallyonyourpathtoselfandteam-mastery.ThevirtuesinChapterSixarefoundationaltolivinganexceptionallife.Butthefollowingcharactertraitswe’lldiscussariseastheresultofextendedtrainingandlayeredself-awareness.Myrecommendationistostudytheminyourselfandinothers,asthesecharacteristicswillbemarkersofprogress.Youwillalsoknowwhenyouareinthepresenceoftherightindividualstosupportyourjourney.

ChapterTen:TheIntegratedSelfWilliamWallaceleadinghisclansmeninthemovieBraveheart,KingLeonidasleadinghis

Spartansintobattleinthemovie300,KingArthur,Spartacus,TheLastSamurai,andnowthemodern-daySEALMarcusLuttrellofLoneSurvivorfameareexamplesofthewarrior-leaderarchetypeinourmediaculture,somerealandotherfictional.Thewarriorheroisasourceofinspiration,theircharacterisdifferent,andtheyseemtodrawpowerfromamysticalplace.Portrayedinthefilmsaslargerthanlife,theyserveasexamplesofthetraitsofmasteryIwanttodiscussnow.Thesetraitsincludebeingunfazedinthefaceofimminentdanger;unquestionablysureabouttheactiontotake,andembracingthesuckwithsilentfortitude.Youmayevenknowareal-lifemasteryourself,likeIdo.

EarlierIspokeaboutmyfirstmentor,KaichoTadashiNakamura,whodisplaysthetraitsofmasteryintroducedinthischapter.Heexemplifiesastoicstrength,abeginner'smindandanuncommonlydisciplinedapproachtohislife.Hischaracterandexamplecontinuetoinspireandinfluencemetothisday,eventhoughIamnottrainingwithhimanylonger.Manyothers,inallwalksoflife,aresimilarlyhumbleandquietprofessionalswhostrivetoliveuptothestandardsthatmasterslikeKaichoNakamurarepresent.Eventhoughmasteryseemslikeagoalordestination—andtoacertainextent,itis—truemastersknowthatawarriorwillneverstoplearning,neverstoppushingboundaries,andneverstopgrowing.Somastersfocusonmasteringthedetailsofthejourneyeveryday,ratherthantheend-state.Asstatedabove,thetraitsinthischapteraresignpostsonyourjourneyanditisimportanttonotethatthereisnoperfectioninanyofthem.Thereisonlyperfecttrying,andtheresultswillbeinformedbythestageofthejourneyandthepersonalityofthestudent.

Butsoonerorlater,thewarriorwillbecalledtostepintothebreachandservebeyondthecallofduty.Myfriend,GlenDoherty,foundhimselfinasituationwhichtestedhischaracterinawaythatwarriorspreparefor,buthopedoesn’tcome.OnSeptember11,2012theU.S.embassyoutpostinBenghazi,Libya,cameunderawell-coordinatedattackbyterrorists.Glen,withanordertostanddown,ignoredthedirectiveandracedtorescuetheAmericansundersiege.Hedidnothangoutandwaittohearaboutthetragedylater,ortobetoldwhattodo,butdisobeyedorderstocourageouslyactforthesafetyofothersandputtinghislifeatgraverisk.Glenexhibitedallthetraitsofmastery:single-pointfocus,uncommonresolve,apositively-chargedattitude,discernment,unflappability,fortitude,afocusonthewelfareofothers,andahumbleacceptanceofhisresponsibility.Glen’sactionsweredirectlyresponsibleforsavingeighteenAmericanlives—butitledtohisowndemise.AsyouembarkuponyourownUnbeatableMindjourney,letthesacrificesofGlenandthetraitsofmasteryheexemplifiedserveasaninspirationtostaythecourseandtoneverquit!

Single-PointFocusTheSpartanKingLeonidaswassofocusedondefeatingthePersiansatThermopylaethathe

waswillingtofighttothedeath.Hisexamplewassoinspirationaltothoseheledthatthreehundredofhismostdisciplinedwarriorsfollowedhimtothelastmoment.WhatLeonidasunderstoodwasthatthisvictorywasnotabouthispersonalvalorbutaboutthesurvivaloftheentireGreekwayoflife.Itwasn'tamilitaryvictoryhesought,butamoral,symbolicvictoryofthebrave,freeSpartanovertheenslaved,fear-motivatedPersians.Sowithsingle-pointfocus,Leonidasledhismeninthemostformidablebattleoftheirlives.Hedidn'tletdiscomfortorminorchallengesdistracthimfromhisvisionandmission.Thoughheandhismenlostthebattle,theGreekswonthewar,andwentontoinspireourWesternwayoflife.Wereitnotforhissingle-pointfocus,wemayallbespeakingPersian.

AsimilarexamplecouldbemadeofWinstonChurchillandhisunwaveringfocusondefeating

NaziGermany.TheBritscouldbespeakingGermannowhadhenotheldhiscourse.Thesewarriorssteppedintothebreachtosaveentirecultures,nottheirownskins.Thatkindofselflessdeterminationisthewarriors'way.

Whywassingle-pointfocussocriticaltothesevictories?Becauseitallowsyoutonarrowyourattentiontoonlythemostimportantthingsthatimpactsuccessrightnow.Allelseisignored,postponedtoalaterdate,orsubordinatedtoanotherperson(delegated,inbusiness).Whentherisksarehigh,suchasonaparachutejump,itisthisfocusthatensuressurvivalifanaccidentoccurs.Ifaphysicalaltercationoccursunexpectedly,itisthisfocusthatallowsonetodominatetheopponent.Itisalsowhatallowsserialentrepreneurstosucceedtimeandagainwithnewbusinessventures.

UncommonResolveIttookmeconsiderableresolvetowritethreebooksinoneyearin2013whenIfinishedThe

WayoftheSEAL,8WeekstoSEALFIT,andthefirsteditionofUnbeatableMindallinaneleven-monthperiod.Somemayevencallthatuncommonresolve.Thesamekindofresolveisrequiredforanyworthygoalorprojectthathasanunreasonablelevelofchallenge.GettingthroughSEALtrainingrequiresuncommonresolve.ArecentBUD/Sclasssecuredfromweek4of40weekstotalwithonly27traineesafterstartingwith175.Thatmeans148ofthetraineeseithergotinjuredorlackedtheresolvetogothedistancewithinthefirstmonthofatenmonthprogram.Withthosestats,itiseasytoseehowuncommonresolveisrequiredtobecomeaSEAL,andwhythereareonlyroughly175totalnewSEALsmintedyearly.

Isresolveaqualitythatcanbedeveloped?Ofcourseitcan—itisanaturalcorollarytoforgingmentaltoughness.Youdevelopuncommonresolvebyfortifyingthefivekeyattributesofyourcharacter.Theyare:

1. Desire: related toourdiscussions throughout thisbookaboutpassion, foruncommonresolveyoumustdesiretheoutcomeasifyourhairwereonfire.

2. Belief:youmustbelieveinyourpurpose,yourmission,andyourself.3. Attitude:youmusthaveapositive,can-doattitudeandbeabletomobilizeateamwithit.4. Discipline:youmustbewillingtogiveupunnecessaryattachmentsandcommitmentsandputin

therightamountofdailyefforttowardyourgoal.5. Determination:youmusthaveanunwaveringcommitmenttofinishthejob,staythecourse,and

never,everquit.

Ifyourresolverequiressteppingintothebreachatriskoflifeorlimb,asGlenDohertydidinBenghaziandMichaelMurphydidinAfghanistan,thenyouwillrequireeachoftheseattributesinfullmeasure—adesiretoserve,anunmistakablebeliefinyourskillsandtherightnessoftheaction,anattitudeof"willdo"versus"I'lltry,"thedisciplinetopullitoff,andthedeterminationtogothedistance…regardlessoftheconsequences.Imaginehowpowerfulyouractionswillbewhenyouapplythisattitudewiththatlevelofcommitmenttothegoalsinyourlife?Idareyoutofindout.

PositivelyOffensiveAttitudeNomatterhowshittythingsget,youcanalwaysfindthesilverlining.Youcanmakethechoice

toletgoofanyattachmenttothemisfortuneandmoveontothenexttarget.Sustainingapositivemind-setisthefirstpartofthistrait.Thenexpandingthatpositivityintoanoffense-all-the-timeattitudewilltakeitfromapassivequalitytoonewithexplosivepower.Themainoutcomeisthatyouwillneverletcircumstancesoranotherindividual,team,ororganizationcontrolyouractions.Youwillalwaysbeonestepahead,dictatingthenextmove.Thisdoesnotsitwellwithhard-coreanalytical

typeswhowanttoknoweverystepofaplan.Ratheritrequiresgreatflexibilityofthoughtandactionandawillingnesstoplotanewcoursewhenthecircumstancesdictate.

WhenIsetoutonanewventureorproject,Iexpecttofindvictory"whereitiseveryday"andtohavefuninthepursuit.WhatImeanbythisstatementisthatIexpectsetbacks,soIprepareforthemmentallyandwithcontingencyplans.ThedaywillbringitsownsetofunexpectedchallengesandIseektoturnthemintoopportunities,orataminimum,mitigatethenegativeandearnalessonfromthesetback.Rememberyournewconceptofwhatwaspreviouslyknownas“failure.”Whenyouprepareyourselfforsetbacks,youdon’tworrythatthingsaren’tgoingasplanned.Youfindvictorynomatterhowconditionshavechanged.Youfindvictorynomatterwhat.

Withthisapproach,oftenwithinafewmonthsoflaunch,aprojecthastakenonatotallynewformbasedonthelessonslearnedandnewdirectionstaken.RigiditygetsyoukilledonaSEALopandwillgetyoumetaphoricallykilledinbusinessorinyourjob.Holdavisionoftheoutcomeyoudesire,andthenallowforspontaneityandsetbackstoinformtheactualdirectiononaday-to-daybasis.Remember,noplansurvivescontactwiththeenemy,andwithoutanattitudeofpositively-chargedoffenseyoucangetblownaroundbythewindsofchangeormanipulatedbyotherswhooutmaneuveryou.Findvictoryrighthereandrightnowwiththecardsyouaredealt.Excuses,fingerpointingandsoul-grindingnegativitywillslowyoudownanddestroytheopportunityforthemostcreativeresponse.

Whenthingsgooffthetracks,themasterdoesn'tassignblameandwallowinself-pity;ratherheorsheimmediatelyseeksthepositivelessonandthenactsonitwithanoffensiveattitude.

DiscernmentThereisanoldsayingthat"theroadtoenlightenmentislitteredwithfallenseekers."WhenI

reflectonthetraitsofmasters,Inotehowrarelyweseethesequalitiesinfolkswhocravethepublicspotlight,includingmostpoliticiansandentertainers.Masteryeludestheseindividualsbecauseitrequiresdetachmenttowealthandfame,insteaddirectingone’senergytowardthe“higher”valueswe’vebeenexploringinthisbook.Iffameorfortunecomesastheresultofself-masteryandservice,thenitisnotusedforegotisticorhedonisticpleasures,butratherasaplatformtoserveevenmore.

Discernmentisdefinedasbeingkeenlyselectiveinjudgment.Thisisnoteasytoachieve.Themasterisverydiscerningabouthowheorshespendstimeandmentalenergy.Theegoistemperedwithpatienceandhumility,allowingfortheattentionofgoodworkstobedirectedoutwardinservicewhiletheintentionisdirectedinwardtowardspiritualdevelopment.

Themasterytraitofdiscernmentiscultivatedbyfirstdevelopingadistrustfortheuntrainedmind.Thismeansthatyoustartwithanexpectationthatyourthinkingwillbeflawedandthenstrivetocultivaterightthinkingthroughtraining,education,mentalmodels,andtrialanderror.Thisisgoodnewsforyou.Ifyou’vebeenfollowingalongthenyouhaveseenhowcomplicatedourzoo-likemindsareandyoushouldalreadybewaryofyourownthinking!Butusingthetoolsinthisbookandthengoingbeyond,youwillmovefromawarenesstorightthinkingmoreeasily.

Therearefiveprimarywaysthemind"thinks":

1. Directperception:theinductionofdataandinformationintothemammalianbrainanddirectlyperceivingitinapresentmindstate

2. Accessingmemory:yourneocortextappingthemammalianbrainforstoredinformation3. Analysis:deductivereasoningusing theneocortexvia thefrontal lobe,predominantlywith the

lefthemisphere4. Creating and Imagining: New idea creation using the neocortex , working with the visual

languagecapacityofthemammalianbrain,tocreatenewthoughtsandimagesformerlynotpartofyourmental repertoire.Creative imaginingalsomeansyouwillaccessstoredmemoryandpossiblyexternalsourcesofpreviouslyunknownknowledge

5. Dreaming:Beyondthescopeof thisbook,andIdoubtsciencewilleverreallyunderstandthisaspectofthinking.

Thetraitofdiscernmentrequiresthatyouarefullyawareofallfiveofthesemodes,strivingtounderstandthem,andfinallyimprovingthemthroughtraining.Iwanttobeclear:There’snosuchthingasperfectthinkingandthere’snoperfectioninmasteryeither.No,it’saconstantprocessoftryingtoclarifyyourthinking.Fordiscernment,whatI’msayingisthatyoumustmasteryourabilitytorecognizethingslikemindtrapsandfaultythinkingsoyoucanbypassthemandgettorightthinking.You’reaskingquestionsaboutwhatstoriesyou’rebuyinginto,whatbeliefsaredrivingyourbehavior.That’swherediscernmentcomesin,becauseasyouaskyourselfthesequestions,youstarttodiscerntruthfromfalsehood,realityfromillusion,andrightfromwrong.Thisisthewarrior ’spath—youdon’ttakeanythingforgranted,notevenyourownthoughtsandbehaviors.

Enhancingdirectperceptionisdonethroughbreathing,concentrationandmeditationexercises.Intelligencefromintuitionandanexpandedawarenessisthefruitofthislabor.Accessingstoredmemorybetterisachievedbypracticinganddrillingmemory,suchastheKeepinMemorygame,drillssuchasthoseprovidedatLumosity.com,andpracticingtoremembernames.Memorycanbeimprovedbytyingvisualimagestotheinformation,makingmemoryaright/lefthemisphereandneocortex/mammalianbrainprocess.Strengtheningyouranalyticalskillscancomethroughthefocuseduseofthemindinproblemsolvingorpracticingmathematics,statistics,logic,andengineering.TheuseofmentalmodelssuchasOODAloop,PROP,andSMEACwillalsoaidinthisprocess.

Thisisagoodplacetomentionthescienceofcreativeproblemsolving.Foryearscreativitywasassumedasubconsciousprocess,oftenunlockedthroughsilenceordeepimmersioninaproblem.ThinkofAlbertEinsteinlosinghimselfinaproblemsothoroughlythathewouldwanderaroundinhisunderwearandforgettodress(Iammakingthatup,butitprobablyhappened!).Butinthe1940saRussiannamedAltshullerbecamefascinatedwithwhathepositedasatheoryofinvention.Afterstudying300,000patents,henotedthattheyboileddowntosolvingabout1,500typesofproblemsandthattherewereroughlyfortymethodsthatwereusedbytheinventorstosolveallofthoseproblems.HepresentedhisfindingstoStalin,whopromptlysenthimtotheGulagfortwenty-fiveyearsasa"patentspy."Safetytip:becarefulwhatyousharewithparanoid,maniacaldictators.

Fast-forwardtoafewyearsafterStalinmovedontomeethisfate,andAltshullerhadbeenreleasedfromtheGulagandcodifiedhistheoryintowhatisnowknownasTRIZ,whichistheRussianacronymfor“thescienceofinvention.”TheprocessisnowinusebyNASAandagrowingnumberofscientificandengineeringfirmstoaccelerateproblemsolving.Idon'thavetimetogointoallfortyofAltshuller ’ssolutionshere,butIwillbrieflymentionafewsoyougetthegist.Thesecanbeappliedtoanytypeofproblem,thoughtheywereconceivedprimarilytosolvescientificissues:

1. Lookatyourspecificproblem,andthenstateitasageneralproblem.Thenfindasolutiontothegeneralproblem,andapplyittoyourspecificissue.

2. Lookatyourproblembyreversingitorturningitupsidedown.3. Lookatyourproblemfromanotherperspectiveoranotherdimensionaltogether.4. Seeifyoucansolveyourproblemwithadifferentelement(water,air,etc.)5. Ifyourproblemisfixed,makeitmoveable,orviceversa.

Ifyouareinterestedinthislineofthinkingandlearningmoreaboutthistool,IrecommendthebookDaVinciandtheFortyAnswersbyMarkFox.

Inspiteofallthetrainingtoimprovediscernment,theabilitytodiscerntruthfromfalsehood,goodpeoplefrombad,andrightfromwrongisstillcultivatedthroughlifeexperiencesaswellastrialanderror.ExpecttoexperiencegreaterdiscernmentaftersixmonthsorsoofUnbeatableMindtraining—asyourawarenessexpandsandyourmindopensuptothenewwaysofthinking.

ExcellinginChaosOneofthemoreusefultraitsofmasteryforleaderstodevelopistoremainperfectlycalmand

controlledineventhemostchaoticcircumstances.Amasterisunflappablewhileunderextremepressure,abletomakegooddecisionsandleadhisteamtovictory.Infactitisthisqualitythatismostattractivetofollowersinhigh-stress,high-riskenvironments.Seeingaleadertakecontrolofabadsituationisahugereliefformostpeople,andthosewhocandoitwellareconsiderednaturalleaders.PictureRudolphGiulianiduringthe9/11disaster.Itisaskillyoucandevelop,andthemostvaluabletooltodosoisourBoxBreathingdrill.

Wecoveredboxbreathingindetailearlier,butIwanttoreiteratethatthroughdeep,rhythmicbreathingyouareabletocontrolandfocusyourmind'sconsciousactivity,regulateyourheartrateanddiminishsymptomsofthestressresponse.Thisallowsyou,theleader,tomaintainsituationalawarenessandmakebetterdecisionsinacrisis.Ahealthydoseofconfidenceearnedthroughregulartrainingandexperiencedoesn’thurt,either.

SituationalAwarenessLet'slookatsituationalawarenessabitmoreasitisanimportantaspectofexcellinginchaos.

Imagineinachaoticsituationhowtherearelotsofthingshappening,andyoucouldeasilybecaughtoff-guardorevenbeawarebutfocusedonthewrongthings.Whenyouaresituationallyaware,you’llbemorekeentothesubtletiesofwhat’sgoingonandmaybeeventheiroriginorintention.Thisinturnwillhelpyouzeroinonwhatyouneedtofocusonrightnowtomovethroughthechaosandfindsuccess.You’llseewhat’scomingdownthepikeandsoyou’reabletomovetoavoiditorpreparetofaceit.

Awarenessofthesituationallaroundyou,nearandfar,internalandexternal,includes:

PersonalthoughtsandemotionsThoughtsandemotionsofyourteamThoughtsofyourenemyAwarenessofyoursurroundingenvironmentAwarenessofandalignmentwiththenaturallawsthatgovernhumanbehavior

WhenIwasatSEALTeam3asayoungjuniorofficer,Ihadtheprivilegeofbeinginthesameplatoonforthreerotations—atotalofclosetofouryears.AfewofthepeopleIstartedwithwerewithmeforthatduration.DuringthattimeIdevelopedanuncannysenseofwhatmyteammateswerethinkingandfeelingduringlongmissions.Extendeddurationsofsilence,handsignalcommunications,andintuitiveon-the-flydecisionsbecameautomatic.Oftenthethoughtsmyteammateswerehavingflashedthroughmymind,orIwouldjust"know"whattheyweregoingtodo.IalsonoticedthatthissituationalawarenessdiminishedwhenIwasn'tinthefieldworkingwithallmysenses.Iwantyoutoknowthatit’spossiblethatateamworkingtogetherintimatelycandevelopthislevelofbeingintune.Thisawarenessextendsintoafrequencythatcouldbedescribedastelepathic.Butevenonanindividuallevel,ahighlydevelopedandrefinedawarenessisgoingtoprovideyou

withinternalandexternalsourcesofinformationthatwillhelpyouwhendanger ’slurkingoranopportunityisopeningup.Forthesereasons,Ibelievepracticingsituationalawarenessinparticularwillleadtobetterdecisionmakingunderstressfulsituations.

MikeJacowasoneofmyhand-to-handcombatinstructorsinathirty-daycoursecalledSCARSIattendedwhileintheSEALs.YearslaterhefoundhimselfasacontractsecurityoperativeinIraqattheheightofthewar.MikehaddevelopedthesubtleintuitionskillsIalludedtoearliertosuchadegreethathefoundthemtobealifesaverinthecombatzone.Onmultipleoccasionshewasabletosenseorseeimagesofanimpendingdangerzone,suchasanambushorIEDattack.Maybetheyweretrueprecognitionincidents,ormaybetheywereproductsofhisSystem2brainafterprocessingtheconstantflowofinputfromhisradar-likeSystem1brain.Maybethere’snorealdifferencebetweenthetwo.Regardless,Mikewasintuitiveenoughtopaycloseattentiontothesesignalsafterhelearnedthathewasrightmostofthetime,andwoulddirecthisteamtotakedifferentroutestoavoidaperceivedthreat.Hisexperiencewaspronouncedandintriguing,andinourmodernworldrequiresamultitudeofstudiesbeforewetrustit’sveracity.Buttherealityisthatpre-cognitionwasnotuniqueamongwarriorsthroughtheages,yettheyvaluedtheskillanddin’tquestionit’svalidity.

FortitudeWhentheyleanhardintoanyworkout,project,ormissiontheydeemworthy,masters

eventuallywillsmackintoawallofchallenge,justlikeyouandI.Theyexperiencepainanddiscomfortataphysical,mental,emotionalandevenspirituallevel,alsolikeyouandI.However,whatseparatesthemfromthecommonisthattheyreflexivelyembracethesuckandstepupperformanceinanticipationofthesemoments.Theyexhibitthetraitoffortitude.

Thekeyisthatwhenyouhitthepointwherethefatigue,discomfortorpainisalmostintolerable,whereyoufeelyoucan'tstanditanylonger,withfortitudeyouwillactivateapositiveattitudeanddeterminationtodoubledownonyourefforts,whileopeningtothealivenessofthemoment.Whenyoudothisyou’llnotehowutterlyindomitableyourspiritactuallyiswhentheraincomespoundingdown,whenyouswallowtheurgetowinceinpain,whimper,orprojectweaknessand,instead,persevereagainsttheodds.Inthesemomentswhenyouhavenochoicebuttosuffer,orquit,youlearntosufferinsilenceandembracethesucktogetthroughitwithgrace.

Embracingthesuck-typefortitudeisdevelopedbypressinghardintoyourchallenge,deliberatelyinternalizinganyexpressionofpainordiscomfort.Donotparticipateinyourownpityparty,asstagingadefeatistattitudewillundermineconfidenceinyouandputacrackinyourleadership.Projectingweaknesscreatesweaknessbecauseyourbodywillfollowyourweakeningmind.

Intriguingly,recentresearchonhappinessbyDavidLykkenandAukeTellegen,fromtheUniversityofWashington,suggeststhatoverhalfofwhatmakesapersonhappyiswithinoursphereofinfluencetochange.Considerthatfortitudeinvolvesacceptingthisfactandtakingresponsibilityformakingthatchange,fortakingcontrolofyourcurrentstateratherthanlettingexternalforcesdetermineitforyou.Ifso,thenoneofthebestexpressionsoffortitudeisthatyousimplyfindthemeanstoputasmileonyourfaceduringchallengingtrainingandevents.Althoughthismaybedifficultatfirst,itwillgeteasierwithtimeandpractice.

Infact,puttingasmileonyourfaceisnotjustpretendingtobepositive—Ibelieveyouareactuallyforcingyourselfintoahappyplace.Studieshaveshownthatasmilebringsthesamelevelofstimulationaseatingabunchofchocolatebars(soifyouareusingthattactictobrightenyourday,thensmilinginsteadwillhavetheaddedbenefitofweightloss!).Smilingreleasesendorphins,serotonin,andnaturalpainkillers.Thoughstudiesareinconclusive,mentalhealthpractitionersreport

thatsmilingtherapyhasalsoimprovedtheoptimismandfeelingofhappinessofclientssufferingfrommilddepression.Theyemploydailytwenty-minutesessionsduringwhichthepatientjustsitsandsmiles.Idon’tknowforsureifbeinghappymakesonesmilemoreorifsmilingmoremakesonehappy,butitwouldbehardtodisputethatthetwoarelinked.Irecommendputtingasmileonyourfacewhenyouworkoutandaremostputtothetest.Myexperienceisthatitdoesmakeadifference,evenifitisjustaplaceboeffect.Andhey—smilingisfree!

Forexample,duringSEALFITtrainingweaskathletestosmileduringthehardestpartofthetraining.Itdoesrequireseriouswillpowerandconcentrationtodo,whichenhancesmentalcontrol.Anditisgreattoseetrainees,whohaveoftenbeenupforoverthirtyhours,smilingorlaughingupastorm.Thepositiveimpactontherestoftheteamiscathartic.Smilingandlaughingcangiveyoustrengthand,Ibelieve,evenenhanceyourpaintolerance.Focusingonthemantra"painisweaknessleavingmybody"willaddanelementofdeterminationtoyourembrace-the-suckmoments.

Anotherexcellentwaytodevelopfortitudeistotakeyoureyesoffyourownsufferingandfixthemonthesufferingoftheothers.Ifthey’reinthesameboatasyou,theywillbesufferingasmuchasyouare.Lendinganencouragingwordandhelpinghandwillcomfortthemwhileleavingyouinamorepositivestate.Itisimpossibletobenegativewhenearnestlyhelpinganotherinneed.Also,yourteammateswillwanttofollowapersonwhoisembracingthesuckandservingherteammates.Soslapasmileonyourface,supportyourteammatesandrepeatthephrase"Painisweaknessleavingmybody,”or“Iamthemasterofmyfate,Iamthecaptainofmysoul"(fromWilliamHenley's"Invictus").Youwillnoticepainbegintodissipateandanewsourceofinternalstrengtharising.Asyougrowmoretoleranttopainbyembracingthesuckofthechallenge,youwilldevelopdeepinnerstrengthandcontroloveryourresponse.Youarewellonyourwaytomastery!

Humility,RevisitedWetalkedearlierabouttheimportanceofhumilityasavirtueofcharacterexcellence.

WheneverIaminthepresenceofarealmaster,Iamstruckbyhowhumbleheorsheis.Infacthumilityhasbecomealitmustesttodeterminewhethersomeoneisamasterorcharlatan.Therearemanybrilliantpeopleintheworldmasqueradingasmasters.Yettheyareincompleteinthattheyhavenotintegratedtheirfivemountainsandcontinuetoactwithaninflatedego.Lackinghumility,theydisplayamockshowofcaringforotherswhileactingoutofself-interest.

ImentionedearlierthatIseethisinthecorporaterealmintheformoffeel-goodphilanthropy,whereitisgoodbusinesstoembracegiving,butitisoftendonetolookgood,toreceiveataxbreak,tonetworkwithawealthysocialorpoliticalclass,orbecauseeveryoneelseisdoingit.Thistypeofphilanthropyisoutoftheself-interestsoftheleadersanddoesnottrulycomefromaplaceofhumility(Iamnotsayingthatthistypeofphilanthropyisallbad,ratherthatitlacksthecharacteristicofhumility).Thesameholdstrueforindividualactionwhenthatactionistransactionalinnature.Ihaveseenarushofunqualifiedindividualsstartfunctionaltraininggymswithnomorethanatwodaytrainingcertification.Theirlackofhumilityforthescienceandartofcoachingoftenleadstoinjuryamongsttheirclients.Similarly,evenintheyogacommunityegorunsrampantasteacherstrytooutdoeachotherwithdangerousroutinessettorockmusicin105-degreeheat,orlaunchteachercertificationswithoutthequalificationstodosoauthentically.Themasterapproachistofirsttrainfortenyears,thenteachfortenyears,andonlythentobeginteachtheteachers.

TruehumilityiswhatNelsonMandeladisplayedwhenhereturnedtotheprison,wherehewasheldforalargepartofhisadultlife,toforgivetheprisonguardsandthankthemforbeinghisteachers.WhenIseeKaichoNakamurateachingkaratetoblindteenagersandamarinegravelyriskinghislifetorescueayoungchildcaughtinthelineoffire,Iamwitnessinghumility.

However,humilityshouldnotrequireamomentofextremecrisisortwentyyearsoftrainingto

develop.Youcanchoosetodevelopitnowbyseekingtoremovetheegoandself-servingbehaviorfromyouractions.Focusonhelpingothers,especiallywhenitisinconvenientornotinyourpersonalinterestsatthatmoment.Youhavelearnedinthesepagesthatyoucan'treallycontrolanythingbutyourmentalandphysicalreactionstoevents.Humilityrequiresthatyousurrenderyourneedtocontrolanythingbutyourbreathing,mindandresponsetostimulus.Acceptthatyoucannotcontroleverylittledetailofasituationorperson.Thebestyoucandoistotrytostayonestepaheadofthingsandfocusongivingratherthantaking.

Yourpersonalhumilityisalsodeepenedbyreleasingattachmenttodesiresandtoexpectedoutcomesinyourlife.Ifyouletgoandletthingsflow,youwillallowthemomenttounfoldnaturallywhileyourheartcanguideyou.BeOKwithwhatis,andtrytomergewiththeenergyaroundyouratherthanfightagainstit.Thehumblepersonflowswiththecurrent,whiletheegoseekstoswimagainstit—orreshapetheriver.

KokoroSpiritHumilityisacousintoKokoro,whichweearlierstatedmeanstomergeyourheartwithyour

mindinyouractions.Asyouareaware,itisnotnaturalformostWesternerstoputtheneedsofothersbeforeselfinaheart-centeredapproachtolife.Wehavebeensteepedinastoryofstaunchindividualismandseparationformanydecades.Thatiswhythoseindividualswhocandoitstandoutsomuchtousandweholdthemupasspecial.

ButwecantrainKokoro.TheBuddhistpracticeoflovingkindnessisapowerfulmeans,yetyouneednotbecomeaBuddhisttopracticeit.ThisbookhasproposedablendingofthebestofEasternandWesterntrainingapproachesinanintegratedpersonaldevelopmentplan,whichwillallowyoutofindanddevelopyourKokorospirit.ThroughKokoro,youwillframeyourchallengesintellectuallybutsolvethemwithaheart-centeredapproachthatincludestheinterestsofallparties,inallthreespheresofI-Self,We-Team,andIt-Organization.CultivatingKokororequiresyouremainfocusedonyourlargerresponsibilityoffulfillingyourpurposeintheserviceofothers,theenvironmentandultimatelytheglobalfamily.Inthesectionofthischapter,wewillexaminethesceneryfromthefiveplateaus,orlevels,ofconsciousness,thatyoushouldexpecttoencounteronyourjourneytodeveloptheFiveMountainsandfindyourKokorospiritandyourconsciousnessitself.

InChapterFiveImentionedthatoneoftheforemostmodernAmericanphilosophersisKenWilber,whodevelopedameta-philosophyoflifehecallsIntegralTheory.Wilberproposesthathumanexperiencecanbemappedandthatone'sconsciousnesscangrowanddeepenthroughavarietyofmethodstowardhigherstagesthattranscendthelimitationsofearlierandlesscomplexstages.Additionally,WilbersaysthatconsciousnessisexpressedinfourquadrantsofI,We,It,andIts,whichcanbecollapsedtothethreespheresofI,We,andIt,aswehavediscussedinthisbook.

Toquicklyreview,theIsphereishowanindividualexperiencestheworldfromwithinherself.Itisaboutherownsubjectivity,includingworldview,morality,self-sense,intelligences,etc.TheWesphereisculture,howaparticulargroupofindividualsmakemeaningoftheworld.Finally,theItistheobjectiveworldthatismeasurable.TheItsphereisactuallytwoinoneforthesepurposesbecauseitrepresentsbothindividualsandsystemsintermsofobjectivemarkersandbehaviors.Wilber'sIntegralTheoryisausefulrealitymapthatwehaveevolvedforUnbeatableMindtoprovideamapofanintegratedwarrior-leaderdevelopmentmodelThishelpsusmakemeaningoftheworldweliveinandco-create.Italsohelpsreducethelikelihoodofmentalcategoricalerrorsandreductionistthinking.ItcomplementsourFiveMountaindevelopmentalphilosophynicelyandprovidesaframeworktounderstandvastareasofhumanknowledge.

NowIwillintroducetheaforementionedFivePlateausasanevolutionofconsciousnessand

provideyouasimpleinterpretationofeach.

TheFivePlateausThestagesofdevelopmentthatallofushavethepotentialtoexperienceduringalifetimehave

beenmappedbyexpertsfromseveralfields.Psychology,humanperformanceandspiritualtraditionssuchasYogaandBuddhismhaveallopinedonthem.EventheesotericwritingsofJudaism,Islam,andChristianitycontainrepresentationsofthehigherstatesandstagesofconsciousness.Icallthesestages"plateaus"because,asyouclimbtheFiveMountainsofdevelopment,yourconsciousnesswillplateauatalevelbeforebreakingfreeandtravelingtothenext.Ateachnewplateau“theview”ofyourconsciousselfgetsmoreexpansiveandbecomesmoreinclusive. Aproblemcanariseinyourpersonaldevelopmentifyougetstuckataplateauanddonotpossesstheknowledge,desire,orenergytoclimbtothenext.TheFiveMountainsandFivePlateauscanguideyouinthesestuckmomentsastheyrepresentboththedomainsofdevelopmentaswellasthestagesofdevelopment,andprovideamaptoguideforhowyoumayexperienceconsciousnessitself.

Humandevelopmentisnotjustaboutgettingsmarteranduppingyourcognitiveintelligence.Allofyourintelligencescomeintoplay.ConsiderMotherTheresa,whowascognitivelyintelligentbutnotoffthechartssmart.Yetsheoperatedoutofahigherspiritualintelligenceandmoraldevelopmentthanmostofhumanity.Thebullydownthestreet(insert“corporatefraudster”or“dictator”here)mayalsobeintelligent,yetheappearstooperateatanegocentricorsocio-centricstageofmoralandemotionaldevelopment.UnlikeMotherTheresa,hisworld,inthemoralandemotionalsense,doesnotincludemanyothersbutislimitedtohimselfandhisparticularin-group.Insimplerterms,thebullyhasn'tprogressedmuchbeyondhisphysical-instinctualself(sex,fighting,andfeeding)andheisnotmuchconcernedforanyoneelsebuthisin-group(tribe,gang,clan).

MotherTheresa'sconsciousness,however,hasrisentoamuchhigherplateau,expressedwithaworld-centeredness(beyondego-centricandsocio-centric),andsheexhibitscompassionfortheentirehumanrace.Forthebully,thecenterofgravityofhisconsciousness,wherehespendsthemajorityofhistime,hasplateauedatalesscomplexstage,andthusheexperiencestheworldinverydifferentwaysthanaMotherTheresa.Itisamysterywhysome,likeMotherTheresa,risetosuchheightswhileothersdwellatthelowerlevels.Perhapsithastodowiththekarmicenergythatthesoulbringsintothislife(ifyoubelieveinre-incarnation).Advancedsouls,likeMotherTheresa,aremeanttoservehumanityanddon'thaveasmuchnegativekarmatoburnasthethug,andareabletolockontotheirhigher-orderpurposequicklyinlife.Thebullyspendsmostofhislifecreatingadditionalnegativekarmaandhasdifficultybreakingfreetolockontoahigherpurpose,orgrowbeyondhiscurrentlevelofconsciousness.

Themostimportantpointisthatsomefolksgetstuckinaconsciousnessrutatlessmaturelevelswhileothersbreakfreeandprogresstohigherstagesofevolution.IthelpstounderstandhowtheFiveMountainsareexpressedinaself-sense(I),andabehavior(It)andaworldview(We)manner,aswellastonotewhereyourcenterofgravityisnowalongtheFivePlateaus.Thenyoucanworktounlockyourpotentialandintegrateineachspherethroughyourtraining.

InChapterEightIintroducedtheworkofanothergreatAmericanphilosopher,Dr.DavidHawkins.Hisresearchshowedthatmosthumansexperience,atmost,afivepercentgrowthinconsciousnessduringtheirentirelifetime.Thatisbecausemostpeoplearen'ttryingtogrow!Butclearlyyouare,andwiththeintegratedtrainingmodeloftheUnbeatableMind,IbelieveyoucanreachtheFifthPlateau.

Itisimportanttonotethateachplateauisnecessaryasabuildingblockforthenextlevelthatproceeds.Asyoudevelopyouwillintegrateeachlevelina“transcendandinclude”mannersothat

youwillhaveanall-levelappreciationandacceptanceattheFifthPlateau.Whatfollowsisabrief,andoverlysimplisticdescriptionofhowlifeisexperiencedateachoftheFivePlateausofConsciousness.

RefertoimageinAppendix1:FivePlateausofConsciousness

FirstPlateau:ThePhysical-InstinctualSelf.Atthisplateau,theearliestonedevelopmentally,weoperateoutofourlowestinstinctual,animalisticself.Weseektogetimmediatephysicalneedsmet,suchaseating,sleeping,defecating,and,ifageappropriate,messingaround.Itisatthisstagewhereoursexualenergyplaysanimportantrole.Thehealthyexpressionofthisstagewouldleadtohealthysexualdevelopment,interestinfunctionallydevelopingone'sphysicalskills,andfuelingone'sbodyproperly.Itwouldalsomanifestwithanindividualbeingintouchwithhisorherprimalnatureandneeds.Theunhealthyexpressionofthisstagewouldleadtousingthebodyformeregratificationofimmediatephysicalneedsanddesireswithoutcareforlong-termcostsandeffectstoselfandothers.Ofcourse,manystrugglewithallofthis,whichcausesimbalancesinthebodyandcanlaternegativelyaffectthehealthydevelopmentoffuturestages.

Oneoftheaimsofdevelopmentinourphysicalmountainistoovercomeimbalancestogetfitandhealthyatthisplateau.Ahealthybodybenefitsandsupportsfuturegrowthanddevelopment.Atthepsychologicallevel,thosestuckatthisplateaucanbeviolentpeoplewhoseprimaryfocusisonthemselvesattheexpenseofothers.Theyhaveatendencytobeclosed-mindedwithavictimmentality.Forthemlifeismeaningless,andtheywilljoinagangorendupinjailasinterpretiveproofoftheiremptyphilosophy.Thisplateauisanaturalstartingpointforyoungchildren,andthankfullyonlyasmallpercentageofadultsgetstuckatthisstage.

SecondPlateau:TheEmotionallyDrivenSelf.Atthisplateauindividualsoperateoutoftheiremotionalselves.Inlesshealthyexpressionsofthislevel,theyareoftenmalcontentanddifficulttocommunicatewithduetowildemotionalswings.Theyuseemotionsastoolstogetwhattheywant,asopposedtousingforce(thefirstorphysicalplateau)orlogicalargument(thethirdormentalplateau).Theymusthaveittheirway,ortheywillthrowatantrumoruseemotion-basedmanipulativetactics.Childrenandtheirfutureadultselvescangetstrandedhereduetovarioustroublinglifeconditions.Thenegativepsychologicalmanifestationpresentsthatofanabsolutistwhoisabletofunctionwithinsocietybutremainsconvincedthathisorherwayistheonlyway,thathisorhertribe(family,footballteam,country)isworthfightingtothedeathover.Thehealthyexpressionofthisparticularplateauwouldbeanindividualwhoisintouchwithhisorherfeelingsandusesthemtoconnectwithothers.

ThirdPlateau:TheMentalAchieverSelf.Thislevelofconsciousnesswillfindwelladjusted,success-orientedmembersofsocietybusyachievingimportantstuff.Moralandemotionaldevelopmentistypicallystabilizedandhealthilyexpressedinone'sabilitytorelatewelltoothers.Atthislevel,one'sIQandrationalthinkingmindplaykeyroles.Personalgrowthisimportantbutoftenlimitedtotherationalmentalself.Self-centerednessispossible—balancedwithaconcernforothers—butoftenshort-termthinkingcomesattheexpenseofothersortheenvironment.Becausetheyhavedevelopedtheirrationalmindsandemotionalintelligencetosomedegree,thoseonthisplateaucanbettermanagetheirinstinctualandemotionalselves.Manyinbusinessandserviceprofessionsexpresshealthyaspectsofthisplateau.AnunhealthyexpressionofthiscouldbeseeninaTypeAcorporateexecutivewhoissodriventhatheorshelosessightofotherimportantvalues,suchashealth,connectiontofamily,andspirituality.Lifeisgoodforthemaslongastheirneedsaremet:"I'vegotmine;I'mgoodtogo,sodon'tbotherme"canbetheprevailingattitude.ThisplateaurepresentsbyfarthelargestinourWesternsociety,wherethestoriesofindividualismandcapitalism

playtoitsstrengths.Theself-determinationfeltatthislevelisanenticingandpowerfulview,butitcancreateproblemsbecauseitdoesn'tacknowledgetheinterconnectednatureofallthings.

FourthPlateau:TheSensitiveSelf.Thoseatthisleveltranscendachievingsolelyforthesakeofpersonalormaterialearningsandinsteadseektoachievewithgoodnessdirectedtowardothersandtheworld.Theirheartsaswellastheirrationalmindsdrivethem.Itiscommontofindthoseonthisplateaufocusedonareasthatareoutsideofselfishphysical,emotional,andachievement-orientedrealms,suchassustainablecommunitytransformationandhealthindisadvantagedregions.Thebody,emotions,andinstinctsarewellmanagedandexpressedinnewanduniqueways.Themindisdirectedtowardhigher-orderpurposeandself-actualizationcanplayanimportantrole.Intuitionisnotshunned,andfeelingsofconnectiongrowastheyseetheworldasaninterconnectedwhole.

Thoughthisplateauisanexcitingsteptowardafullyintegratedlife,likeallstagesitalsohasashadowside.Theshadowcanbeseeninattachmenttoone'snewfoundidentity,expressedasspiritualegotismandexclusivitytowardothers.WhatImeanisthatthereisatendencytofeelspecialanduniqueatthisplateau,leadingtoasuperioritycomplex,whichcanimpedefurthergrowth.Spiritualegotismisfoundinthenewagemovement,wherethereisatranslationofspiritualandreligiousexperienceintoenlightenmentlanguagewithoutacorrespondingtransformationofconsciousnesstothemoreenlightenedFifthPlateau,integrallevel,andbeyond.Thisstagecanignoreorevendemonize"lessevolved"individualsorgroupsofpeople.Animositycandevelopbetweenmentalachieversandsensitivedo-goodtypesbecausebothfinditdifficulttodealwitheachotherrespectfullyortofindwin-winsolutionstogether.

FifthPlateau:TheIntegratedSelf.Inthisplateautheheart,mind,andspiritbegintointegrateintheindividual,creatingaworld-centric,service-orientedsenseofself.Truth,wisdom,andlovearefeltandexpresseduniversally.Individualstranscendthelimitsoftribalandnationalidentity.Theearlierplateausareintegrated,andtheshadowsofeachbegintoclearup.

AmajordifferencebetweenPlateau4and5isthatthoseoperatingatPlateau5canmeettheothersattheirrespectivelevels.Theydon'tdemonizethemortreatthemasaclassthatneedspityorahandout.ThosewhooperatewithaFifthPlateauconsciousnesstendtobegreatreconcilersandcommunicatorsandare“world-centricwarriors.”Theyarealsoawareofthepossibledysfunctionsateachpreviousplateauandholdthemintheirmind/heartinacompassionateway.Manygreatmanyspiritualleadersandwarriorsthroughouthistoryhavebeenatthisplateau,andtodayagrowingnumberareenteringitashumanityappearstobeenteringanewageofspiritualawakeningandsocialawareness.

Asyouenterdeeperintothestreamofdevelopmenttowardmastery,andremaindisciplinedinyourtraining,youwillfindyourselfgainingmomentumtowardthisandpotentialhigherstages.TheFifthPlateauisnotnecessarilythefinalstageofdevelopment,asconsciousnesshasaprimaldrivetoevolve.Thequestionremains:Whatplateaudoyoumostidentifywithnowasyourcenterofgravity?Youmayfindthat,atyourfinestmoments,youidentifywithPlateauFive,butthenyougetdrawnintoanegativesituationandarepulledbacktoPlateauThreeasahyper-mentalachieverorPlateauTwoasanemotionalmalcontent.Keepinmindthatyourupbringinghighlyinfluencesdevelopmentthroughtheseplateausandyourabilitytooperateconsistentlyatthehigherlevels.Weallmoveabitfluidlybetweentheplateaus,butwithdedicationtogrowth,wewillfindthatourcenterofgravityshiftsupwardandwespendlessandlesstimeinthelowerplateausandmoreinthehighest.Wewillalsofindourselvesexpressingthehealthiersideofeachplateauandhaveaneasiertimecourse-correctingwhennecessary.

ThelateStephenM.R.Coveywiselysaid,"seekfirsttounderstandandthentobeunderstood."It

takescouragetoseetruthclearly,especiallywhenitcomestoyourownbeliefsandworldviews.IfyourealizethatyouoperatemostlyfromaThirdPlateaumentalachieverconsciousness,yetdipintoSecondPlateauemotionallydrivenand/orFirstPlateauphysicalgratification-basedbehaviorwhenunderstressorunfocused,thegoodnewsisthatyouarenotstuckthere.Youcanchange.Youcandeveloptothehigheststagesofconsciousnessthroughfocusedintentionand,mosteffectively,throughintegratedtraining.

Onefinalcomment:Imentionedearlierthat,theoretically,onlythoseattheFifthPlateauofconsciousnesscanconsciouslytranscendandincludeallotherlevels.Whenyoubreakthroughtothisstage,evenifinatemporary,non-ordinarystate,youwillhavea"newconsciousnessbenchmark"thatwillserveasaguidepostforyourcontinuedwork.Thesetemporarypeakexperienceshelpyoutrek,overtime,tothatnewterrainasapermanentcenterofgravity.

Letmeprovidearealworldexampleofatemporarynon-ordinaryelevatedstateandhowitsupporteddevelopmentinatraineeofmine.IwillprefaceitbysayingthatIdesignedtheKokoroCamptosmashparadigmsanduplifttraineestoatemporaryFourthorFifthPlateauexperience.Thisoccursthroughtherealizationthattheycannotcompletetherequiredworkasanindividual.TheyareforcedtoengagetheirteamwithaFifthPlateauperspective,whichisoftenexperiencedasapeakstateofconsciousness.IwatchedthishappenwithformerNFLTightEndDerekPriceduringKokoroCamp17.HiswordsdescribehisshiftfromThreetoFive:

“WhenIsignedupforSEALFIT'sKokoroCampitwasabouthavingapersonalgoal.IwantedtoseeifIcouldcompletetheprogram.IwantedtotestmylimitsandfindoutifIwasmentallytoughenough.IhadbeensearchingfortenyearsafterleavingtheNFLforthat"'nextlevel."I'vebeentacklingbusinessandpersonalchallengesandknockingthemdownoneatatime,tryingtoprovehowsmartandtoughIstillwas.EvenafterseveralIronmanandOpenWaterdistanceracesIwasnotfeelingsatisfied,yetcouldn'tputmyfingeronit.ThenKokoroCampshatteredmyparadigmandsolvedthepuzzleforme.There,Ifinallyexperienced,emotionallyandspiritually,thatit'snotabout"me,"it'snotaboutwhatcan"I"do.IlearnedthatwhatisimportantiswhatmyTeamcandoandhowIcanhelpothersachievesuccessandsignificance.ItopenedanewdoorinmylifeandpresentedtheverypuzzlepieceI'dbeenlookingfor.Itopenedmetothebiggerpictureandhelpedmeconnectwithmyheart-mind.”

Bytakinghiseyesandmindawayfromhisownnarrowerneedsandplacingthemonhisteammatesneeds,DerekreleasedhisThirdPlateauachieverselfandsteppedintotheuniversallyconnectedFifthPlateauofheart-centeredconsciousness.Therehewaswitnesstohisheartmergingwithhismindwhiletendingtohisteammates'needs.Hestarvedfearandfedcourageinothersandinsodoingopeneduptoamoreselflessandexpansivestateofconsciousness.Theshiftallowedaninfluxofenergyandatranscendentexperience,whichhecouldlaterreferenceduringhispersonaljourneytowardself-mastery.

AfterwordAfewmonthsaftergraduatingfromBUD/Straining,Iwasreviewingabookwrittenbymy

mentor,KaichoNakamura.ThetitlewasOneDay,OneLifetime,anditwasacollectionoftheZenmeditationlecturesIhadexperiencedthepriorfouryears.Thesaying,"oneday,onelifetime"hasstayedwithmesincethenandservesasaremindertomethateverydayisimportantandcouldbemylast.Ihavelearnedtoliveeachmomentfullyandinthepresent,andavoidtreatingevenasingledayasadressrehearsal.

Thissameattitudeisrequiredofself-mastery,whichwillbeachievedasyoudevelopyourpersonalFiveMountainsandintegrateattheFifthPlateau.Ultimatelyyouwillexperiencethisintegrationasaunionofyourrationalmind,yourheart,andyourwitnessingself.Withthisintegrationyouwillbegintoexperiencemorepresenceandwilluseyourwholemindforcreativeandholisticthinking.Youractionswillbepowerfulandpositive.Apresencewillbeenjoyed,whethersittinginsilenceorperformingaworkoutorproblem-solvingthroughacriticalproject—orevenifyoufindyourselfinafightforyourlife.Thesignpoststhatindicateyouaremakingprogressonthisincrediblejourneyinclude:

ExperiencingincreasingmomentsofpeaceSensinganexpandingfieldofawarenessBeingabletoperceivetruthbetter—cuttingthroughthenonsenseoftheworldFeelingmoreloveforyourfellowhumansandforallsentientbeingsFeelingasenseofurgencytobecomeastewardforEarthFindingyoucanaccomplishanyworthytaskyousetyourmindtoTapping into your intuition and gut feelings frequently and using this skill to make wisedecisionsFindingbeautyandgraceeveninmundaneordismalsituationsExperiencingtrueselflessness

OnApril23rd,1910,TheodoreRooseveltdeliveredaspeechwhosewordshaveinspiredgenerationsofwarriorsandleaderssince:Itisnotthecriticwhocounts;northemanwhopointsouthowthestrongmanstumbles,orwherethedoerofdeedscouldhavedonethembetter.Thecreditbelongstothemanwhoisactuallyinthearena,whosefaceismarredbydust,sweatandblood;whostrivesvaliantly;whoerrs,whocomesupshortagainandagain,becausethereisnoeffortwithouterrorandshortcoming;butwhodoesactuallystrivetodothedeeds;whoknowsgreatenthusiasms,thegreatdevotions;whospendhimselfinaworthycause;whoatthebestknowsintheendthetriumphofhighachievement,andwhoattheworst,ifhefails,atleastfailswhiledaringgreatly,sothathisplaceshallneverbewiththosecoldandtimidsoulswhoneitherknowvictoryordefeat.

Mr.Rooseveltwasarticulatingthevalueofavoidingthedeathtrapofgossipandothermindlessdistractionsandstakingyourlifeonapathofboldness;oftranslatingthisboldnessintoaction,toneverdriftorshirkfromdefendingyourvalues,tostandyourgroundandneversway.He’stalkingaboutacknowledgingandhonoringyourpassionbytakingaimwiththatpassionandshootingforthemoon.Onlythroughboldactioncanwemakephysicalcontactwithourworkinglimitations,andthenshatterthemagainandagain.

Theantithesisofboldnessistostall.Boldnessshrivelsupanddieswhenyousaytodayisno

goodandthatyou’llstarttomorrow.Theenergyisdrainedduringhesitation’sperpetualspin.Waitingfortheperfecttimetoact—untilyouhavethecompletekitbagfulloftoolsandweapons,ortheperfectpartner,orsomeperfectorchestrationofconditions.Thissortofdelaywillleaveyoubackwiththosetimidsoulswhoknowneithervictory,ordefeat.

But,asyouhavelearned,takingboldactiondoesn’tmeanthatwearealwaysacting.Manymistakeconstantactionforproductivityandprogress.TheWarrior ’sWayistofirstplanforboldaction,wininthemind,bulletproofthemissionandthen,actwithboldness.Andduringthisstateofactionandexecutiontherearemomentstotakepauseandevaluatethebattlefieldtoseewhathaschangedsinceyouactedlast.Inthispauseyouwillreorientyourself,yourteamororganizationtothenewreality.You’lldevisenewtacticsandafreshstrategy,andwiththisinvigoratedplanexplodeoutoftheblockswithboldness.Inthisprocessthereisabalancedflowbetweenacting,observing,thinkingandactingagain.Boldnessrequiresthisbalance,oritcanquicklylooklikefoolishness.

Sohowcanyoudevelopyourfacilitywithboldness?Herearesomeideastoensureboldnessinlifeandbusiness:

Hang around peoplewho are doing bold things and study theirway. I offered anUnbeatableMindseminaronceataneventforanon-profitcalledOperationUndergroundRailroad.Tiredofseeingnothingbeingdonetostoptheinsidioussexslaverytrade,thisgrouphasdecidedtotakemassiveboldaction.In2014theyrescuedover300girlsfromslaveryinSouthAmerica.It’sasif theylistenedtoRoosevelt’sspeechandimmediatelybandedtogetherandwentfor it.This isthetypeofboldtomodel.Takeactionbeforeyouthinkyouareready.Idothisallthetimeandthenhavetomakecoursecorrections, refund customers when something breaks and rebuild it in flight. But I have noregrets for thisapproach.Agoodexample is theUnbeatableMindAcademy,where I finisheddevelopingeachlessonliterallydaysbeforeitwasduetobedeliveredtothecustomersin2012.Whateveryouthinkyoucando,thinkbigger.Withthreebillionpeopleduetocomeonlineviamobiledevicesinthenextthreeyears,Iencourageyoutothinkbiggerwithyourbusinessandprofessionalgoalsthanyouthinkyoucanrightnow.Whynotimpactamillion,orevenabillionpeople?Train tobebold.Commit to taking the information in thisbookandapplying it intoacustomintegratedtrainingregimen.

UnbeatableMindtrainingwillemboldenyou,andsteeryouawayfrombecomingoneofthecritics,oneofthosewhowastepreciousenergyilluminatingthefaultsandfailuresofothers.Iamaskingyoutogetintothearenaandtastethesweetjoyofvictoryandcapturethepreciouslessonsofdefeat.Trainingmustbeconstantandrelentless.Pushyourselftofindnew20Xlimits,testyourgritdailyandstayinthearena,nevershyingfromachallenge.Setaudaciousgoalsandknockthemdownoneincrementalvictoryatatime.PushyourdevelopmenttotheFifthPlateauandyouwillsoonstandoutinallyoudo.Youwillbeuncommonandliveeachdayasifitwerealifetime.It'syourtimenow,sostepupandbeUnbeatable!

TenSecretstoSuccess Thisbookhascoveredalotofgroundandwe’veswamdeeplyintosomeareasyoumayneverhavethoughtaboutbefore.Asyouknowbynow,finishingthebookdoesn’tmeanyouhavefinishedyourjourney;infactit’sjustbeginning!Tohelpyoustayontrack,Iwillleaveyouwithalistyoucancopyintoourjournalortearoutofthebooktorefertoatleastonceadayasareminderofthepathyou’vechosen.Ihopethatitinspiresandreinvigoratesyouasmuchasitdoesme.

1. Liveanexaminedlife,andembracesacredsilence.2. KnowyourOneThing,yourpurpose,passion,andprinciples.3. Connectallyoursmallactionstothese.4. Developmentalandemotionalcontrol:mastertheBigFourofMentalToughnessandEmotional

Resiliency.5. Challengeyourselftofindyour20X,andimprovedaily.6. Turntoothersinservice,anddevelopawinningteam.7. AligntowininallthreespheresofI,We,andIt.8. SelectSMART-FITStargets.9. EmployKISS"good-enough"planning.10. Takemassiveaction,andthenfailforwardfast.11. Never,everquit.

Hooyah!Seeyouintraining.MarkDivine

MarkDivine

Markisacreativedeveloperofcuttingedgetrainingprogramsforwarriors,athletesandprofessionals.HisinnovativeprogramsincludetheintegratedfunctionalfitnessprogramSEALFIT,thelifeaccelerationprogramUnbeatableMindandtheintegratedyogasystemWarriorYoga.HisbooksincludetheNYTbestseller8WeekstoSEALFIT ,theAmazonandWSJbestsellerTheWayoftheSEAL,UnbeatableMind,nowinit’s3rdeditionandprinting,andWarriorYoga(Spring2016).

OriginallyfromUpstateNewYork,MarkholdsanundergraddegreeineconomicsfromColgateUniversityandanMBAinfinancefromNewYorkUniversitySternSchoolofBusiness.Mark'sfirstcareerwaswithCoopers&Lybrand(nowPriceWaterhouseCoopers)asaCertifiedPublicAccountant.FouryearsafterjoiningCoopers,MarkleftbehindthecorporateworldtopursuehisvisiontobecomeaneliteNavySEALofficer.Attwenty-sixhegraduatedasHonorMan(#1-rankedtrainee)ofhisSEALtrainingclassnumber170.HeservedfornineyearsonactivedutyandelevenasaReserveSEAL,retiringattherankofCommanderin2011.

Markembarkedonhisthirdcareerasanentrepreneurin1996,co-foundingthesuccessfulCoronadoBrewingCompany(CBC)andfoundingthee-commercesitewww.NavySEALs.com.HelatersoldhisinterestinCBCbutcontinuestorunNavySEALs.comastheleadingwebsiteforSEALgearandinformation.In2006helaunchedUSTactical,agovernmentcontractingbusiness,wherehegainedcontractswithNavalSpecialWarfareGroupONEfortrainingsupportandwiththeNavyRecruitingCommandforanationwidementoringprogramforSEALtrainees.Thislatterprogram

wascreditedwithincreasingthequalityofNavySEALcandidatesandreducingtheattritionrateatBUD/S.

TodayMarkisfocusedisonservingandgrowingtheSEALFITandUnbeatable,LLCbusinessesandcommunities.HelivesinEncinitas,California,withhiswifeSandy,sonDevonandtheirdogDanger.HomeisashortruntotheSEALFITTrainingCenter,wherehecanusuallybefoundtrainingandcoaching.

Certifications,Experience,Honors

Author,WayoftheSeal,8WeekstoSEALFIT,UnbeatableMind,WarriorYogaCPA,NewYorkStateSEALBUD/SClass170HonorManSEALTEAM3PlatoonCDRCommandingOfficerNRSEALTeam1Commander,USNavyColonel,KentuckyOrderofColonelsAmbassador,NavySEALFoundationUSArmyMasterFitnessCourseVariousspecialoperationscourses—AdvancedFreeFall,SDVOperatorTrainedAshtangaYogateacher(200hours)CertifiedViniYogateacher(500hours)S.C.A.R.S.MilitaryH2HinstructorSeidoKarate:blackbeltGojuRyuKarate:blackbeltSaitoNinjitsu:brownbeltSpecialAdvisortoWomen’sOlympicCyclingTeamWarriorYogacreatorBoardMember,CenterforIntegralWisdom

TestimonialsThisbookisalifechanger;itlaysouttheblueprintandbringstotheforefrontunconscious

patternsandwithdedicationanddiligenceprovidesapathtofreedom.Freedomfromtheprisonscreatedandreinforcedthroughourownbehaviors.WOSiswritteninauser-friendlyformatprovidingkeytoolsandexercisetoallowonetocaptaintheirownship.Thisbookisessentialreadingforthepersonwhowantstoholdtheirheadhighandtheirlifetoastandardtheycanbeproudof.Itisforthepersonwhoisreadytoleadandsucceedbutdoesn’texactlyknowhowtoimplementthatplan.Icontinuetoreadandrereadthisbookasitkeepsmyheadinthegame,butithasallowedmetogrowfromaplaceoffeartonowactfromaplaceofpassionasIpursuemydreamsasaphysician.—Dr.GabrielleYoung

Asyouprobablyknow,you’rerunningaworld-classprogram—andbyfartheBestI’veseenofwhatelseisoutthere—thereisnothingcomparableorclosetowhatyouhave.—PaulTharp,CommandMasterChief,SEALBasicUnderwaterDemolition/SEALTraining

Thankyoufortheamazinginsightandawareness.I’vebeeninvolvedinteamsportsmyentirelife,andnothingcomesclosetowhatIhaveachievedwithUnbeatableMindandKokoroCamp.Iama

betterperson,father,husband,athlete,andbusinessmanbecauseofit.Thankyou.—TommyHackenbruck,RogueFitnessAthlete/UTECrossFit

Ijustwantedtodropalinethatisstraightfromtheheart.ThankstoyouI’veinventedawholenewwaytodomywork.TheworkIdoisveryphysicallydemanding,butthroughyourteachingonmeditation,breathing,andmentaltoughness—I’mworkingatanelitelevel.Mybosssays,“IwishIhadfivemorelikeyou.”ThankscoachforyourUnbeatableMindbook,trainingandyourleadership.—JerryB

CoachDivine,YourbookUnbeatableMindisoneofthegreatestIhaveeverreadondevelopmentandIreferenceitdaily,butthesignificanceformehasbeenmorepersonal.Constantrevisitingofyourconceptsiswhatkeptmefromcomingapartonthedarkestdaysofmyseparation.ThatIcouldsurvivetheheartacheofthisIcansurviveanythingelseemotionallythrownmyway.Andasyousayemotionalandmentalaretiedtophysical.Iwanttothankyousoverymuchforallyoudo.—ChadM.

AsastudentofUnbeatableMindforthelasttwoandahalfyears,Ihaveseenextraordinaryresults.WhileIhavealwaysconsideredmyselfanachiever,thisprogramhasbeentransformationalinthewayIshowupasaleaderinbothmypersonalandbusinesslife.Whileembracingthefivemountainapproachtoselfdevelopment,themostprofoundchangeshavecomefromcreatingadailyscheduleincorporatingamorningritual.Thispracticehasenabledmetotapintomypurposeandbringsclaritytomypriorities.Withmyprioritiesclear,thispracticehasgivenmeenhancedfocusandenergyinhowIapproacheachday.CoachDivineemphasizesthatwebecomemastersofwhatisbehindusandapprenticesforwhatisahead.Heteachesthatselfmasteryisalifelongpursuit....itisnotadestinationbutapathtraveled.—RobinBrown,ChiefExecutive,ScrippsGreenHospital

Foranyone,especiallywomen,whohavefoundthepowerofsporttobeasourceofinspirationandtransformation,developinganUnbeatableMindisthekeytoacceleratingsuccess.CommanderDivine’steamhascreatedthesystemtoachievetransformationinallareasoflife.—TamaraChristopherson,USOlympian

I’vehadadecentlevelofsuccessinareasrangingfromathleticstobusiness,forwhichIamverygrateful.Thissuccesshascomefromoneconsistentfactor:Mymentaloutlook.When“goodsense”toldmetoquit,somethingelse,toldme“justalittlemore.”Ididnothaveanameforthis,nordidIunderstoodhowtoformalizethisprocessofsuccess,untilImetMarkDivineandstudiedhisUnbeatableMindprogram.MyonlyregretwithregardstotheUMprogramisthatIdidnotfinditdecadesearlierthanIdid!—RobbWolf,BestSellingauthorofThePaleoSolution–TheOriginalHumanDiet,www.robbwolf.com

CourseOffer

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TheUnbeatableMindFoundationsCourseistheheartofourintensiveonlineprogram.Itsstep-by-step,interactiveformatoffersyouavirtualfront-rowseatatourintegratedtrainingcenterwhereyou'lllearnfromMarkDivineandhisteamofcoaches--rightfromthecomfortofyourownhome.You’llget:

Insightfulvideoinstructionfromouracademiesandseminars,audiorecordings,interviewspresentationsandarticlesBig4ofMentalToughnessPresentation,giventoNavySEALTrainees.MonthlyWarriorYogaandexercisevideos.MeditationandawarenesspracticesdrawnfromelitewarriortraditionsMonthlySubjectMatterexpertcalls,coveringnutrition,fitnessandspecialopsMembershiptoaprivateUnbeatableMindFacebookGroupMuch,MUCHmoreintroducedmonthly!

SignupfortheUnbeatableMindFoundationsCourseToday–we’reofferingitforanexclusivediscountedpricewhenyougoto:www.unbeatablemind.com/bookoffer

Hooyah,

MarkDivine

AboutTheWayoftheSeal

About8WeekstoSEALFIT

BonusPreview:FromtheBook—WarriorYoga:ACorePracticeofUnbeatableMind

TheUnbeatableMindapproachandthetoolsetsthatIhaveincludedinthisbookaretheculminationofasearchIbeganwiththemartialartsat20yearsold,threedecadesago.AsIdescribedearlyinthisbook,theexperienceprovidedbymymentor,KaichoTadashiNakamura,wasthefirsttimeIhadengagedinawayoftrainingthatattendedtoaspectrumofdimensions,notjustthephysical.Theintegrationofphysical,mental,emotionalandspiritualtrainingintoonefocusedpracticenotonlysurfacedmyinternalvoiceandpurpose,whichledmeintotheNavySEALs,butalsoprovidedmewithanimprobablesetofskillsallowingmetothriveinwhatisthemostdifficultandelitemilitarytrainingintheworld.

SowhenIdepartedfortheNavyandbidfarewelltomymartialartstraining,IknewIhadonlyjustbegunmyjourney.OvertheyearsIsearchedlongandhardtofindapracticethatcontinuedwhatIhadstartedbackin1985.

LifeasaSEALTeamoperatorandleaderwasanotherformativeexperiencewherebyIlearnedthevalueofconstantandneverendingtrainingofbody,mindandspirit.Thoughwedidn’tusethosewords,ourvalueof“earnyourtridenteveryday”wasasirencallforthebrandofrelentlessandvariedtrainingthatmakesSEALssoeffective.Wesimplytrainedharderandinmoreuniquewaysthananyoneelse,unlockingvastpotentialforpersonalsuccessandmissionaccomplishment.Thehabitofintegratedtrainingdonedaily,combinedwithperiodicchallengesandastrongethicalfoundation,havebecometheessenceofUnbeatableMind.Trainingofthisnatureunlocksthehugepotentialthatliesdormantinallmenandwomen.Italsounlockstheattitudesandbehaviorsforwhatmakehighlyfunctionalteams,thosethatoperatesatalevelwheresupersuccessisnotmerelyhopedfor,butinevitable.

Asnoted,duringmyNavyyears,Icontinuedtolookforformsofpersonaldevelopmentthatcouldcomeclosetowhatmyformativeexperienceprovided.ThesearchledmetobecomeanexpertinstructorinSanSooKungFubasedSpecialCombatAggressiveReactionarySystem.SCARSisaveryeffectivemilitaryhand-to-handcombatprogram,absolutelyfuntolearnandteach,butbydesignapurifiedfightingsystembasedonanoffensivemindset.Itissuitableforaspecialopscombatant,butnotforthetypeofself-masterytrainingIwasseeking.

UponleavingtheactivedutyNavy,IresumedmysearchandtookupwithtwodifferentmartialartsprogramsandlaunchedUSCrossFit.Eachhadalotofofferinthephysicalarena,butlackedtheothermountainsinanycredibleform.Somysearchcontinued,andIbegantounderstandhowuniqueandrobustmyinitialraininghadbeenwithSeidoandtheSEALs.Itwasin1999thatmysearchledmetothedoorofayogastudioinNorthCounty,SanDiego.Itookona60-daychallengeofahotyogaclasseverydayfor60days.Thissystemhadaseriesof26yogaposes,performedinaspecificsequencethattakesabout90minutes,allinaroomheatedat104-degreesF.Attheendofthe60daysIfeltamazing-physically,mentallyandemotionally-IfeltIwasbackontrack.

Throwingmyselfintotheworldofyoga,IgaveitthesameenergythatIdidthemartialarts.Yoga,asmystudiesrevealed,isfarmorethananeffectivewaytoboostflexibilityandmobility.Manythousandsofyearsinthemaking,itistheoldesttotalpersonaldevelopmentprogramknowntoman.Italsohasdeepwarriorroots.IwriteabouttheserootsinmybookWarriorYoga,publishedbySt.Martin’sPress.WarriorYogaisacorepracticeofUnbeatableMind,andthebookcoversthefullspectrumofthetraining,includingthemovement,breathing,visualizationandmeditationdrillsandexercisesyouhavereadaboutinthisbook.

ThewordYogameanstoYoke,ortoUnifyyouregoselfandmind,withyoursoulself,or“WitnessingMind.”Itsignifiesthatthepracticeofyogaisdesignedtointegrateanddevelopyoufully

asahuman,connectingyoutoyourspiritualselfandadvancingyourconsciousness.Perhapsthemostintriguingtextonyogawaswrittenaround400CEbyPatanjali,knownasthe“YogaSutras.”Alongwithdescribingyogaasascienceofmentaldevelopment,Patanjaliintroducesustothe“eightlimbsofYoga”:

Yama–Thisisafoundationalethic,acodeofmoralityandcharactertoliveby.

Niyama–Thisisaboutdevelopingdisciplinesleadingtopurificationoftheself(mind,bodyandspirit).

Asana–Thephysicalpostures,whatmostpeoplethinkofasyoga.

Pranayama–Thisisaboutcontrolandmasteryofthebreathandlifeforce.

Pratyahara–Thisisaboutdevelopingawarenessof,andmasteryoverthesenses.

Dharana–Thisisaboutdevelopingdeeppowersofconcentration.

Dhyana–Thisisaboutmeditationanddevelopingsingularpresence.

Samadhi–Thisisspiritualenlightenment,theunionofthewitnessselfwiththeegoself.Itisexperiencedasbliss.

WhatIlearnedfromthese8limbsandthroughmyAshtangaYogateacherTimMiller,isthatauthenticyogawasmeanttofocusondevelopingeachofthese8limbsinaholarchicmanner,meaningthatyoutranscendandincludetheearlierlevelsasyouprogress.Icouldn’thelpbutnoticethesimilaritytotheteachingofAmericanphilosopherKenWilber,whoseintegraltheoryespousesasimilarintegrateddevelopmentinmultipleintelligences,leadingtohigherstatesandstagesofconsciousness.Integraltheorypointedtowardhumanbeingspossessingthecapacitytotranscend,throughtraininganddevelopment,tothehigheststagesofconsciousness,similartotheyogicconceptofSamadhi,orenlightenment.IhadfoundaprograminYogathathadinit’soriginaldesignamapforcompletedevelopment,unlockingmaximumpotentialinthehumanbeing.Now,ifIcouldjustfindasingleprogramthatcapturedandpracticedallofthe8limbs.

AturningpointinmyexperiencewithYogaoccurredin2004,whenIwasdeployedtothewarzoneinBaghdad.OntheC-130flightintoIraq,Ifoundmyselfcounteringthejittersbyfindingsomespaceinthecargoareaand,withdeepbreathingexercisesIlearnedintheSEAL,aseriesofposesandvisualization,IperformedthefirstsessionofwhatInowcall“WarriorYoga.”Ratherthanbeoverwroughtwithnervousenergy,stressanddistractedthinking,bythetimewelandedIhadestablishedmentalandemotionalcontrol,burnedoffstressandgroundedmyselfinthepresent.Icontinuedtoexploretheboundariesofthesemethodswhileinthecombatzone.

Theexperimentledtomecombiningtoolsandtechniquesfromthemartialarts,functionalfitness,SEALmentaltoughnesstraining,Apachewarriorspirittrainingand,ofcourse,Yoga.TheoutcomeprovedtobesoeffectiveinmypersonallifethatIdecidedtousethemethodtotrainSEALandSOFcandidates,aswellaseliteathletes,whenIstartedSEALFITin2007.ThehighlevelofsuccessthesewarriorsandathleteshadbyemployingtheWarriorYogaandUnbeatableMindprinciplesintheirhighstakescareersemboldenedmetocontinuetorefinethelanguageandintegratenewtools.ThisiterativeprocesshasledtotheprinciplesinthisbookandthecompanionWarrior

Yogabook.Theyworktogethertodisciplineandpropelusalongourfive-mountainpath,dayinanddayout,leadingustowardself-masteryinserviceofhumanity.

Ifyouareinterestedinbeginningthispowerfultraining,theUnbeatableMindAcademyincludesonlinevideoinstructionandDVDbasedtraining.Wealsoofferanimmersive2-dayWarriorYogaseminarandteachertraininginEncinitas,CAandperiodicretreatsatotherlocations.

Seewww.UnbeatableMind.comfordetails,andgoodluckwithyourtraining!

--CoachDivine

Appendix1:Illustrations

FivePlateausofConsciousness

Appendix2:Tools

MorningRitualThegoalistoengageyourbodyandmindinapositivemannerfromthemomentyouwake,therebysparking&enablingyourgreatestpotential.

Timerequired:5-20minutes

1.DrinkaglassofwaterwithaGratitudeAttitude,Journalanswerstoempoweringquestions

2.PreptoWintheDay(shortconcentration/meditation)onkeyobjective

3.SomaticPractice(MindfulMovement):Breathing,Yoga&Visualization

Appendix3:ReadingList

ReadingListAsIreviewnewbooksandreferencetheminourUnbeatableMindAcademyonlineprogram,IupdatetheUnbeatableMindReadingListonlineatwww.unbeatablemind.com/readinglist

Success,Philosophy&theMind

WayoftheSEAL,byMarkDivineTheoryofEverything,byKenWilburIntegralSpirituality,byKenWilburMan’sSearchforMeaning,byViktorFranklThinkandGrowRichorTheLawofSuccess,byNapoleanHillBeingPeace,byThichHhatHanhYogaSutras,byPatanjaliAsaManThinketh,byJamesAllenThePowerofNow,byEckhartTolleGrandfather,byTomBrown,Jr.TheSearch,byTomBrown4HourWorkWeek,byTimothyFerrissTheTalentCode,byDanielCoyleTheSoulofLeadership,byDeepakChopraUnleashtheWarriorWithin,byRichardJ.MachowiczThoughtsofaPhilosophicalFighterPilot,byJimStockdaleOnKilling,byDr.DaveGrossmanBookofFiveRings,byMyomatoMusashiTheArtofWar,bySunTzuTheWarofArt,byStevenPressfieldIntegralLifePractice,byWilbur,Patton,Leonard,MorelliAgelessMind,TimelessBody,byDeepakChopraTheAnswertoHowisYes,byPeterBlockThePresent,bySpencerJohnsonAnInventedLife,byWarrenBennisJacobtheBaker,byNoahBenShea7HabitsofHighlyEffectivePeople,byStephenR.CoveyTheStoryofPhilosophy,byWillDurant

Spark:TheRevolutionaryNewScienceofExerciseandtheBrain,byJohnJ.RateyPowervs.Force,byDavidR.HawkinsM.D.Ph.D.DaVinciandthe40Answers,byMarkL.FoxOneDay,OneLifetime:anIllustratedGuidetotheSpirit,PracticeandPhilosophyofSeidoKarateMeditation,byKaichoTadashiNakamura.Abundance:TheFutureIsBetterThanYouThink,byPeterDiamandisThinking,FastandSlow,byDanielKahnemanBlink:ThePowerofThinkingwithoutThinking,byMalcolmGladwellTheSpeedofTrust,byStephenM.R.Covey

Kokoro&WarriorSpirit

TheFighter’sMind,bySamSheridanMindPower,byKazumiTabataKarate-Do:MyWayofLife,byGichinFunakoshiTheWarriorEthos,byStevenPressfieldBorntoRun,byChrisMcDougalThereisaSpiritualSolutiontoEveryProblem,byWayneDyerLightonYoga,byK.S.IyangarLightonPranayama,byK.S.IyangarZenMind,BeginnersMind,byShunryuSuzukiThreePillarsofZen,byPhillipKapleauAwakeningSpirits,byTomBrownIntuitiveWarrior,byMikeJacoWarriorMindset,byMichaelASkenLivingtheMartialWay,byForrestE.MorganEssentialSpirituality,byRogerWalshGatesofFire,byStevenPressfieldUnbroken,byLauraHillenbrandTheLongWalk,bySlavomirRawiczExtremeFear,byJeffWiseInSearchoftheWarriorSpirit,FourthEdition:TeachingAwarenessDisciplinestotheGreenBerets,byRichardStrozzi-Heckler

FitnessandNutrition

8WeekstoSEALFIT,byMarkDivineCrossFit®Journalarticles“WhatisFitness”and“WhatisCrossFit”byGregGlassmanStartingStrength,byMarkRippetoeNaturalHormonalEnhancement,byRobFaginThePaleoSolution,byRobbWolfFixingYourFeet4thEdition,byJohnVonhofBecomingaSuppleLeopard,byKellyStarrett

SEAL/SOF/MilitaryHistory

“SpecOps-CaseStudies”,byAdm.WilliamMcRavenLoneSurvivor,byMarcusLuttrellWarriorSoul,byChuckPfarrerTheWarriorElite,byDickCouchDownRange,NavySEALsintheWaronTerrorism,byDickCouchTheFinishingSchool,byDickCouchYouWantMeToDoWhat?byJeffKraus,publishedbySEALFIT/NavySEALs.comOneBulletAway,byNathanielFickBandofBrothers:ECompany,506thRegiment,101stAirborne,byStephenE.AmbroseBlackhawkDown:AStoryofModernWar,byMarkBowdenKillingRommell,byStevenPressfieldGenerationKill,byEvanWrightTheAfghanCampaign,byStevenPressfieldSEALofHonor,byGaryWilliamsRobert’sRidge,byMalcomMacPhersonTheLastStand,byNathanielPhilbrickFearless:TheUndauntedCourageandUltimateSacrificeofNavySEALTeamSIXOperator,byAdamBrown