Advantage of Adversity Pt 2

Teammates, this bears repeating: you can’t learn the confidence adversity teaches you in a classroom or from a book – you can’t fake it – you learn it from experience – there’s no short cut – period.

Six weeks before I started Hellweek I was getting to know my classmates. One classmate – let’s call him Schmuckatelli -- was boasting about how he was going to “smoke” Hellweek (smoke = ace it) because for the last 2 years he had been taking cold showers (I’m not kidding) and Hellweek is about being cold, therefore he proclaimed he was more than ready for Hellweek … well Schmuckatelli didn’t even make it to Hellweek – he quit 3 weeks into training. My point, you are only as strong (mentally and physically) as the adversity you have overcome. In SEAL Team we live by this correlation, it’s our secret weapon to success, which is why we used to lose more SEALs in training than in war. Recent events have unfortunately reversed this statistic – and it’s not that we’re proud to admit we lose teammates in training - but rather it’s our willingness to embrace adversity with the knowledge that Nietzsche has so succinctly summed up: “that which does not kill you makes you stronger”. Nietzsche's statement is a window into SEAL confidence that has been built through their personal experience of overcoming the adversity of Hellweek. And it only gets stronger as the candidates are tested with more challenging adversities, and, by the way, it’s what makes SEALs so exceptional at what they do.

So what’s this all mean to you? Simply this: adversity and the struggles and hardships that come with it make you stronger – they will empower you to get what you want out of life. If it were easy, everyone would do it, but you’re not just anyone, you’re on a mission – a mission after your dreams, your goals – a mission to maximize your life.

So the next time adversity comes knocking, welcome it and then knock it back with a vengeance of persistent action so overwhelming that any future adversities that come down your path are no longer considered adversities, they’re treated as opportunities to excel. This, my teammates, is the advantage of adversity.

Go challenge yourself!

CHARLIE MIKE -- ALDEN

Picture of the Great Wall of China courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Answers to SEAL Secrets

Guest Blogger: Tom Rancich

Questions from Debbie in IL:
1. What was the worst thing about being a SEAL?

Leaving---retiring and knowing that I would never work on something that important or with people that good ever again.

2. Would you encourage your kids to try to become SEALs or to enter the Navy, if they showed interest?

Yes, but neither have so far.

3. Was it hard to transition from the Teams mentality to civilian life (individual goals),when you retired?

Yes—extremely hard and I was pretty depressed for a long time—might still be :)! There is not nearly the level of trust honor or commitment---or I have not yet found it---in the civilian community as I had grown to take for granted in the teams.

Questions and Comments from Barbie:
1. What are your secrets?

Well now—they wouldn’t be secrets if I told people, would they? I don’t know that it is a secret, but I am a flawed person—and that knowledge helps me navigate life.

2. (comment) I am sorry for being an asshole to you on your other post.

You were? Huh! No worries :)

3. Which board was Nancy in NC introduced to it on?

??

Questions from Lisa:
1. What has been the best (your favorite) question you were ever asked about being a SEAL ? Why ?

Wow, you’re a SEAL, can I buy you a drink? I think we know why! Probably what was it like to lead men in combat---which is a great way for me to explain what a great honor it was to have men of that caliber willing to follow me!

2. What one thing would you like everybody to know that you've learned ?

Humility.

3. You've done a lot of exercise in your life, what's your most favorite ?

Twelve count body builder. Why? It flat out kicks yer butt in very short order!

4. What have you learned from others asking you questions?

How to tap dance! Mostly I have learned that I was very lucky to have the breadth of experiences in my life—and survived them—to make people interested in asking me questions!

5. Your Company, Alden's company they both have a higher purpose along with being an economic endeavor how did that come about?

Well, making money just isn’t that interesting. Keep in mind I suffer from lost traumatic stress syndrome---pretty hard for me to get really excited about stuff. So going out and making money just isn’t a “whoopee factor” for me. And, not trying to be a braggart, I am used to thinking at a more strategic level—so I need to know the purpose first---and then I can hopefully figure out how to get there! I guess it really comes down to believing that a higher purpose is important to an energetic effort.

_________________________________________________

Through his consulting firm, Off-Shore Consulting, Tom provides professional advice on leadership and team building, often as a motivational speaker, in addition to being an expert consultant to the entertainment industry. The YouTube clip shows some recent work for a production company.



Alden Mills and Tom Rancich served together in the Teams. Longtime “on-line” coach for Team Perfect, Tom blogs monthly on Charlie Mike.