Navigating Life's Setbacks: Lessons from a Green Beret and My Cats
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Preparation: The Foundation of Success
In the military, the concept of failure is taken very seriously; a mistake can have dire consequences. While most of us may not face such extreme stakes, the term has been co-opted by the hustle culture, leaving many feeling inadequate unless they invest in a myriad of self-help courses. Fortunately, as long as you're not facing imminent danger, you aren't failing.
My mentor, Tom—a seasoned Green Beret—often reminded me that “there’s still time to figure this out.” Here are some of the key takeaways I’ve learned from him and others over the years.
Preparation is crucial in all areas of life. Staying healthy is essential, as fatigue impairs judgment and focus. Whether entering a courtroom or a grocery store, being prepared makes a significant difference. Making a simple shopping list is a step in the right direction.
Machiavelli famously stated that knowledge is power. One of Tom's most challenging nights in the field stemmed from a poor choice made without sufficient information. Trusting locals to prepare food from a questionable source led to a precarious situation. Always be aware and learn from the environment around you—if you’re not learning, what are you really doing?
Researching your surroundings, whether it’s the judge in a courtroom or the bailiff, is vital. While you can’t control others, you can control how you respond to them. Learning from every experience, good or bad, is essential.
Another Legal Listicle — 2 Mistakes I Made in Court
Or Rachel’s Best Bloopers — Damn, I Think I’m Getting the Hang of These
Tom often prepared for any scenario, whether needing explosives or simply a determined attitude. I learned to adopt a similar mindset in my legal career.
Confidence Through Preparation
When you’re prepared, confidence naturally follows. Imposter syndrome is only for those who don’t put in the effort. If you’re actively engaged in your work and striving for improvement, you have no reason to doubt yourself.
If you’re merely going through the motions, it’s time to reassess. Complaining about corporate culture while promoting your own hustle is contradictory.
Interestingly, I’ve also gleaned insights from my cats—they often make a ruckus just to get attention and rewards. This approach has simplified my legal career, and I hope it will also lead to success in my writing endeavors.
Understanding Perception
Ultimately, the interpretation of failure varies from person to person. I’ve faced losses in my career and personal life, but I refuse to label myself a failure. Life is about growth, and setbacks don’t define us.
When Tom passed away, I didn’t view it as a failure. I had done everything I could to ensure his comfort and happiness during his last years. Just because life presents challenges doesn’t equate to failure; there’s always room for improvement.
If you’re willing to experiment and keep trying, you’ll never truly fail. And even if you do, that pursuit can be valuable in itself.
That’s all I have for now—except to remind you that dying while jogging is not ideal; you can read more about that in my other article.
Lessons From My Extremely Untimely, Highly Ironic Death
The Universe Has A Fucked Up Sense of Humor
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The first video, "Failure Is Not Optional, It's Mandatory," explores the necessity of embracing failure as a crucial part of the learning process. This perspective can help reshape how we approach setbacks in life.
The second video, "Ask Adam Savage: Is Failure Still an Option?" delves into the importance of failure as a stepping stone toward success, emphasizing the lessons we can learn from our mistakes.