Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - May 25th

He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how. - Friedrich Nietzsche

 

Until thought is linked with purpose there is no intelligent accomplishment. - James Allen

 

Over the last several weeks, Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week has talked about various aspects of mental toughness.  As this series comes to an end, there is one aspect of mental toughness that is the most important in the author’s mind.  PURPOSE!

 

We all go through hard times.  Times of wanting to give up like the Navy SEALs during Hell Week.  Or times of complete disarray at work or in our personal lives of not understanding why we are going through what we are going through.  Times when we wish life was different and that our dreams would just come to fruition already.  During those times, it is important to reflect one’s purpose in life.  

 

In The grit factor: courage, resilience, & leadership in the most male-dominated organization in the world, Shannon Huffman Polson talked about how a General knowing her purpose changed part the Army (p. 56-57):

 

Knowing her own core purpose allowed her to focus the organization she led on its core purpose: getting the warfighters what they needed to do their work.

 

For General Dunwoody, the intersection of purpose (making a difference) and story (she would always will be a soldier at heart) put her in the ideal position to push through challenges, navigate her way through uncharted and seemingly impossible bureaucracy, and change the focus of the entire Army logistics organization.  Whatever the nature of your challenge, uncovering your core purpose prepares your foundation for grit.

 

Many years ago, the author wrote her personal purpose statement.  During the tough times at work, the pandemic and in her personal life, the author reflects on her purpose statement to remind her of why she continues to be resilient and continues on the journey to accomplish her dreams. 

 

ACTION:  Next Monday, take time to honor the men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country on Memorial Day.

 

To learn more about personal purpose statements, review Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week from December 9, 2015 and December 19 and 26 in 2017 to learn more about how the author’s purpose statement has impacted her life.  Additionally, Lynette Lewis was where the author first learned about a personal purpose statement.  Her website has great resources: https://www.lynettelewis.com/.

 

 

Resources

·       Polson, Shannon Huffman. (2020).  The grit factor: courage, resilience, & leadership in the most male-dominated organization in the world.  Boston, Massachusetts : Harvard Business Review Press.

·       https://aborderlife.medium.com/the-first-woman-to-earn-four-stars-as-an-army-general-wants-you-to-know-a-few-things-e3409c9c1891

·       https://www.forbes.com/sites/margaretperlis/2013/10/29/5-characteristics-of-grit-what-it-is-why-you-need-it-and-do-you-have-it/?sh=438dc8524f7b

·       https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2015/01/20/these-7-motivational-navy-seal-sayings-will-kick-your-butt-into-gear/?sh=2abf15367516

·       https://www.inc.com/brent-gleeson/7-motivational-navy-seal-sayings-will-kick-your-butt-into-gear.html

·       https://quoteslists.com/collection-top-80-navy-seal-quotes-and-sayings-to-keep-you-motivated/

·       https://www.skipprichard.com/how-to-lead-like-a-navy-seal/

·       This is How You Solve Every Problem, the Navy SEAL Way | Jocko Willink | Goalcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgD6jzDA0BA

·       How to be Creative - https://johnmaxwellteam.com/2021-how-to-be-creative/?c=jmax-em-np-bo&jmtc=mwm-word&jmta=mwm-word-cta

·       https://www.inc.com/brent-gleeson/9-ways-to-be-as-productive-as-a-navy-seal.html    

·       SEAL Reunion with Mike Hayes, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seal-reunion-with-mike-hayes-bonus-ep-3/id1498149200?i=1000508395297

·       Hayes, Mike. (2021). Never Enough A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility and Meaning.  Celadon Books.

·       Wasdin, Howard E. (2011).  SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper. [Audiobook] Blackstone Publishing.

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyJ_hhninDw

·       https://www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/develop-skills/adapt-flex/

·       https://drexel.edu/goodwin/professional-studies-blog/overview/2019/September/4-ways-to-boost-your-adaptability-skills/

·       https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Flexible-at-Work#:~:text=%20How%20to%20Be%20Flexible%20at%20Work%20,and%20employees%20to%20be%20more%20creative.%20More%20

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCMah0wIXPc

·       https://www.success.com/21-insightful-quotes-about-embracing-change/#:~:text=21%20Insightful%20Quotes%20About%20Embracing%20Change.%201%201.,the%20future.%E2%80%9D.%20%E2%80%94%20John%20F.%20Kennedy.%20More%20items

·       https://amymorinlcsw.com/mentally-strong-people/

·       https://www.success.com/13-things-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/

·       https://navyseals.com/nsw/hell-week-0/#:~:text=Hell%20Week%20is%20the%20defining%20event%20of%20BUD%2FS,training%20on%20fewer%20than%20four%20hours%20of%20sleep

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QKUEDBIG6w

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vakhYXgtRZ8&t=13s

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201802/what-makes-us-think-such-negative-things-about-ourselves

·       https://thoughtcatalog.com/marisa-donnelly/2018/01/15-quotes-to-help-you-develop-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-it-really-takes-to-be-a-navy-seal-2019-6#youre-basically-guaranteed-to-get-sandy-at-buds-or-basic-underwater-demolitionseal-training-which-lasts-24-weeks-4

·       https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do.html#:~:text=1%20They%20practice%20gratitude.%20Counting%20their%20blessings,%20rather,They%20set%20healthy%20boundaries.%20...%20More%20items

·       https://graphicspedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/18-Principles-Followed-By-People-Who-Are-Mentally-Strong-Infographic.jpg

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201606/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do

·       https://sofrep.com/news/stoicism-how-to-survive-like-a-special-operator/

·       https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/3-secrets-of-superachievers.html

·       https://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/7-tips-from-super-achievers-for-insane-productivity/

·       https://www.military.com/special-operations/top-5-qualities-of-special-operations-troops.html

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/features/what-you-can-learn-from-navy-seals-about-grit-and-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/mental-toughness-quotes

·       https://www.mentaltoughness.partners/the-origins-of-mental-toughness/#:~:text=In%20his%20book%20The%20New%20Toughness%20Training%20for,your%20talent%20and%20skill%20regardless%20of%20competitive%20circumstances.%E2%80%9D

·       https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-the-us-militarys-most-elite-special-operators#6-delta-force-11

·       https://www.quotesclub.net/navy-seal-quotes/

·       https://www.military.com/special-operations/top-5-qualities-of-special-operations-troops.html

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-future-brain/201811/top-5-tips-navy-seals-exceptional-leadership

·       https://www.mentaltoughness.partners/measure-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.success.com/7-mental-hacks-to-be-more-confident-in-yourself/?fbclid=IwAR0QelMrbPcIYNahBCRoD3mYBpSVwgk-4WSlobFvTkxKPfky8ig9MDAijqs

·       https://www.success.com/5-ways-successful-people-take-control-of-life/?fbclid=IwAR0mOLl0eLCZIw8TdYrWl1e6yeWz5oCmQGBFxiifIAk9y0_o-ROLBzrxEeA

·       https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/mental-toughness-exercises/

·       https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2017/07/21/10-ways-to-build-confidence/?sh=1ab30b683c59

·       https://medium.com/@bharatbash123/how-to-develop-a-military-mindset-and-get-closer-to-your-goals-597fea5b18b3

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/mental-toughness-training/

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/features/what-you-can-learn-from-navy-seals-about-grit-and-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-future-brain/201811/top-5-tips-navy-seals-exceptional-leadership

·       https://tomaslau.com/quotes/mental-toughness

·       https://rickconlow.com/15-goal-achieving-quotes/#:~:text=15%20Powerful%20Goal%20Achieving%20Quotes%201%20%E2%80%9CBegin%20with,into%20the%20visible.%E2%80%9D%20Anthony%20Robbins%20More%20items

  

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - May 18th

 Once people stop making excuses, stop blaming others, and take ownership of everything in their lives, they are compelled to take action to solve their problems. – Jocko Willink

 A good leader does not get bogged down in the minutia of a tactical problem at the expense of strategic success. – Jocko Willink

 As we continually question “why” and develop creativity, the reader is developing mental skills and knowledge to prepare for making decisions in the future.  This information will help with creative and strategic problem-solving, which is what Navy SEALs do all the time.  During those difficult times, SEALs go on automatic pilot to the processes and training they have practiced for years and implement creative problem-solving to accomplish the mission.  

 Jocko Willink, former Navy SEAL, believes there are 2 steps to solve every problem.  In his podcast “This is How You Solve Every Problem, the Navy SEAL Way”, he states:   

 

One of the fundamental laws of combat leadership: prioritize and execute.  What is the biggest problem?  What is causing the most stress?

 

This same idea can be implemented in daily activities and life.  Prioritize what is important and then execute on the plan to accomplish the priorities.  The author pondered this idea for a while and realized that she has been doing this for years even though she did not realize it!  For the author, her prioritizing is creating a to-do list and then taking time to execute the plan.  She knows that it rarely takes the time she expects it to if she simply schedules time to accomplish the mission. 

Often times, we look at problems as massive mountains to tear down, but taking a simple approach will make it easier to accomplish. 

 

ACTION:  Prioritize the problems that you need to solve, create a list of how to solve them and then execute on the plan. 

 

Resources

·       https://www.skipprichard.com/how-to-lead-like-a-navy-seal/

·       This is How You Solve Every Problem, the Navy SEAL Way | Jocko Willink | Goalcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgD6jzDA0BA

·       How to be Creative - https://johnmaxwellteam.com/2021-how-to-be-creative/?c=jmax-em-np-bo&jmtc=mwm-word&jmta=mwm-word-cta

·       https://www.inc.com/brent-gleeson/9-ways-to-be-as-productive-as-a-navy-seal.html  

·       SEAL Reunion with Mike Hayes, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seal-reunion-with-mike-hayes-bonus-ep-3/id1498149200?i=1000508395297

·       Hayes, Mike. (2021). Never Enough A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility and Meaning.  Celadon Books.

·       Wasdin, Howard E. (2011).  SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper. [Audiobook] Blackstone Publishing.

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyJ_hhninDw

·       https://www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/develop-skills/adapt-flex/

·       https://drexel.edu/goodwin/professional-studies-blog/overview/2019/September/4-ways-to-boost-your-adaptability-skills/

·       https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Flexible-at-Work#:~:text=%20How%20to%20Be%20Flexible%20at%20Work%20,and%20employees%20to%20be%20more%20creative.%20More%20

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCMah0wIXPc

·       https://www.success.com/21-insightful-quotes-about-embracing-change/#:~:text=21%20Insightful%20Quotes%20About%20Embracing%20Change.%201%201.,the%20future.%E2%80%9D.%20%E2%80%94%20John%20F.%20Kennedy.%20More%20items

·       https://amymorinlcsw.com/mentally-strong-people/

·       https://www.success.com/13-things-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/

·       https://navyseals.com/nsw/hell-week-0/#:~:text=Hell%20Week%20is%20the%20defining%20event%20of%20BUD%2FS,training%20on%20fewer%20than%20four%20hours%20of%20sleep

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QKUEDBIG6w

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vakhYXgtRZ8&t=13s

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201802/what-makes-us-think-such-negative-things-about-ourselves

·       https://thoughtcatalog.com/marisa-donnelly/2018/01/15-quotes-to-help-you-develop-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-it-really-takes-to-be-a-navy-seal-2019-6#youre-basically-guaranteed-to-get-sandy-at-buds-or-basic-underwater-demolitionseal-training-which-lasts-24-weeks-4

·       https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do.html#:~:text=1%20They%20practice%20gratitude.%20Counting%20their%20blessings,%20rather,They%20set%20healthy%20boundaries.%20...%20More%20items

·       https://graphicspedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/18-Principles-Followed-By-People-Who-Are-Mentally-Strong-Infographic.jpg

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201606/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do

·       https://sofrep.com/news/stoicism-how-to-survive-like-a-special-operator/

·       https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/3-secrets-of-superachievers.html

·       https://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/7-tips-from-super-achievers-for-insane-productivity/

·       https://www.military.com/special-operations/top-5-qualities-of-special-operations-troops.html

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/features/what-you-can-learn-from-navy-seals-about-grit-and-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/mental-toughness-quotes

·       https://www.mentaltoughness.partners/the-origins-of-mental-toughness/#:~:text=In%20his%20book%20The%20New%20Toughness%20Training%20for,your%20talent%20and%20skill%20regardless%20of%20competitive%20circumstances.%E2%80%9D

·       https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-the-us-militarys-most-elite-special-operators#6-delta-force-11

·       https://www.quotesclub.net/navy-seal-quotes/

·       https://www.military.com/special-operations/top-5-qualities-of-special-operations-troops.html

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-future-brain/201811/top-5-tips-navy-seals-exceptional-leadership

·       https://www.mentaltoughness.partners/measure-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.success.com/7-mental-hacks-to-be-more-confident-in-yourself/?fbclid=IwAR0QelMrbPcIYNahBCRoD3mYBpSVwgk-4WSlobFvTkxKPfky8ig9MDAijqs

·       https://www.success.com/5-ways-successful-people-take-control-of-life/?fbclid=IwAR0mOLl0eLCZIw8TdYrWl1e6yeWz5oCmQGBFxiifIAk9y0_o-ROLBzrxEeA

·       https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/mental-toughness-exercises/

·       https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2017/07/21/10-ways-to-build-confidence/?sh=1ab30b683c59

·       https://medium.com/@bharatbash123/how-to-develop-a-military-mindset-and-get-closer-to-your-goals-597fea5b18b3

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/mental-toughness-training/

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/features/what-you-can-learn-from-navy-seals-about-grit-and-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-future-brain/201811/top-5-tips-navy-seals-exceptional-leadership

·       https://tomaslau.com/quotes/mental-toughness

·       https://rickconlow.com/15-goal-achieving-quotes/#:~:text=15%20Powerful%20Goal%20Achieving%20Quotes%201%20%E2%80%9CBegin%20with,into%20the%20visible.%E2%80%9D%20Anthony%20Robbins%20More%20items

 

 

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - May 11th

 

You see things; and you say 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?' - George Bernard Shaw

Navy SEALs are creative problem-solvers.  The reader may be asking what is that.  According to John Maxwell in Minute with Maxwell, creative people:

The main characteristic of a creative person is very simple: They believe there is always an answer.  And it is that that causes them to create.  It’s the hope.  It’s the belief that they can do something that makes a difference. 

 

Navy SEALS have gone through various trainings including Hell Week, asked why, learned and built on previous experiences so that when an issue arises, they are prepared to analyze the situation and develop various creative scenarios to solve a problem.  Hayes stated in Never Enough A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility and Meaning (p. 22-23):

 

To sum it up, when you're faced with the hardest problems, you go to a SEAL.  We're trained to be experts in getting to a desired outcome, and, in fact, figuring out multiple ways to get there.  We pick the best risk-adjusted plan of attack, and then we execute.  We're dynamic-we process information on the fly and change the plan as needed. 

Like SEALs, we should be continually gaining new knowledge, analyzing it and preparing to create various scenarios to solve problems.  As was discussed in the post on flexibility, SEALs have to change in an instant based on the circumstances they encounter just like we do in our daily lives.  Continually developing the skill of creativity provides the reader with the opportunity to improve thought processes to come up with new, different and often unconventional ideas. 

To develop creativity, the reader should find their strengths, which is where he/she will have the biggest impact and focus on solving problems there.  As issues are resolved, a thrill will develop inside the reader and he/she will strive toward resolving more problems (Maxwell – Creativity).

Next week, we will discuss how Navy SEALs solve problems. 

ACTION: When you work to solve a problem, how many ideas do you come up with?  As Maxwell said, there is always one answer and many times more than just one way to solve a problem.  What can you do this week to work on solving problems creatively?

 

Resources

·       https://www.skipprichard.com/how-to-lead-like-a-navy-seal/

·       This is How You Solve Every Problem, the Navy SEAL Way | Jocko Willink | Goalcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgD6jzDA0BA

·       How to be Creative - https://johnmaxwellteam.com/2021-how-to-be-creative/?c=jmax-em-np-bo&jmtc=mwm-word&jmta=mwm-word-cta

·       https://www.inc.com/brent-gleeson/9-ways-to-be-as-productive-as-a-navy-seal.html  

·       SEAL Reunion with Mike Hayes, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seal-reunion-with-mike-hayes-bonus-ep-3/id1498149200?i=1000508395297

·       Hayes, Mike. (2021). Never Enough A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility and Meaning.  Celadon Books.

·       Wasdin, Howard E. (2011).  SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper. [Audiobook] Blackstone Publishing.

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyJ_hhninDw

·       https://www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/develop-skills/adapt-flex/

·       https://drexel.edu/goodwin/professional-studies-blog/overview/2019/September/4-ways-to-boost-your-adaptability-skills/

·       https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Flexible-at-Work#:~:text=%20How%20to%20Be%20Flexible%20at%20Work%20,and%20employees%20to%20be%20more%20creative.%20More%20

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCMah0wIXPc

·       https://www.success.com/21-insightful-quotes-about-embracing-change/#:~:text=21%20Insightful%20Quotes%20About%20Embracing%20Change.%201%201.,the%20future.%E2%80%9D.%20%E2%80%94%20John%20F.%20Kennedy.%20More%20items

·       https://amymorinlcsw.com/mentally-strong-people/

·       https://www.success.com/13-things-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/

·       https://navyseals.com/nsw/hell-week-0/#:~:text=Hell%20Week%20is%20the%20defining%20event%20of%20BUD%2FS,training%20on%20fewer%20than%20four%20hours%20of%20sleep

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QKUEDBIG6w

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vakhYXgtRZ8&t=13s

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201802/what-makes-us-think-such-negative-things-about-ourselves

·       https://thoughtcatalog.com/marisa-donnelly/2018/01/15-quotes-to-help-you-develop-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-it-really-takes-to-be-a-navy-seal-2019-6#youre-basically-guaranteed-to-get-sandy-at-buds-or-basic-underwater-demolitionseal-training-which-lasts-24-weeks-4

·       https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do.html#:~:text=1%20They%20practice%20gratitude.%20Counting%20their%20blessings,%20rather,They%20set%20healthy%20boundaries.%20...%20More%20items

·       https://graphicspedia.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/18-Principles-Followed-By-People-Who-Are-Mentally-Strong-Infographic.jpg

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201606/18-things-mentally-strong-people-do

·       https://sofrep.com/news/stoicism-how-to-survive-like-a-special-operator/

·       https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/3-secrets-of-superachievers.html

·       https://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/7-tips-from-super-achievers-for-insane-productivity/

·       https://www.military.com/special-operations/top-5-qualities-of-special-operations-troops.html

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/features/what-you-can-learn-from-navy-seals-about-grit-and-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/mental-toughness-quotes

·       https://www.mentaltoughness.partners/the-origins-of-mental-toughness/#:~:text=In%20his%20book%20The%20New%20Toughness%20Training%20for,your%20talent%20and%20skill%20regardless%20of%20competitive%20circumstances.%E2%80%9D

·       https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-the-us-militarys-most-elite-special-operators#6-delta-force-11

·       https://www.quotesclub.net/navy-seal-quotes/

·       https://www.military.com/special-operations/top-5-qualities-of-special-operations-troops.html

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-future-brain/201811/top-5-tips-navy-seals-exceptional-leadership

·       https://www.mentaltoughness.partners/measure-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.success.com/7-mental-hacks-to-be-more-confident-in-yourself/?fbclid=IwAR0QelMrbPcIYNahBCRoD3mYBpSVwgk-4WSlobFvTkxKPfky8ig9MDAijqs

·       https://www.success.com/5-ways-successful-people-take-control-of-life/?fbclid=IwAR0mOLl0eLCZIw8TdYrWl1e6yeWz5oCmQGBFxiifIAk9y0_o-ROLBzrxEeA

·       https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/mental-toughness-exercises/

·       https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2017/07/21/10-ways-to-build-confidence/?sh=1ab30b683c59

·       https://medium.com/@bharatbash123/how-to-develop-a-military-mindset-and-get-closer-to-your-goals-597fea5b18b3

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/mental-toughness-training/

·       https://www.mensjournal.com/features/what-you-can-learn-from-navy-seals-about-grit-and-mental-toughness/

·       https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-future-brain/201811/top-5-tips-navy-seals-exceptional-leadership

·       https://tomaslau.com/quotes/mental-toughness

·       https://rickconlow.com/15-goal-achieving-quotes/#:~:text=15%20Powerful%20Goal%20Achieving%20Quotes%201%20%E2%80%9CBegin%20with,into%20the%20visible.%E2%80%9D%20Anthony%20Robbins%20More%20items