DEVELOPING A MILITARY MINDSET TOWARDS ACHIEVING FUTURE LIFE GOALS

“Train as you will fight!” – We probably have come across hearing over this saying or maxim in a military context. The principles behind the military training might differ from that of a regular classroom or college degree. However, in reality, they can be equally utilized for living a life brimmed with confidence, courage, discipline and strength. Over the years or so, military personnel have been put under rigorous physical and mental training programs that push the limit of their physical human body and mind. As a result of which stress, pain, trauma, heat, cold and just about any life threatening situations inflicted, those soldiers manage to have survived, overcome all the obstacles, and ultimately endured.

Generally speaking, learning how to build a military mindset can lay the foundation for a successful, more fulfilling, and satisfying life for all of us. Before learning how to be on a battle-ready mode, the military mind has a far greater important lesson to study from, which is learning how to master your mind. It is said that the aim for military training is not just to prepare soldiers for battles, but also to make them last for it. And speaking of building and developing a military mindset, it is going to take every amount of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength.

A state of mind achieved after completing intensive training, the military mindset can be colloquially summarized in the following mental attributes:

1. A mindset with discipline.

2. A mindset with courage.

3. A mindset with purpose.

In order to develop all (or any) of the above attributes, you do not have to undergo exhaustive training like an Army General or a Navy SEAL. Simply put, all you need to do is to take three simplest, yet, practical steps, in which they are:

1^st STEP – TRAIN YOUR BRAIN

What would be the first thoughts that cross your mind when you think of a soldier? Based on your thinking prowess, your answers might lie in the spectrum of extremely courageous to ruthlessly resilient. Well, that is precisely what military sergeants and soldiers are. After undergoing intensive mental training and preparation, the mind of a soldier gets stronger and sharper.

Similar to a military personnel, treat your mind as a muscle and start training it every day to improve a sense of your mental toughness, strength, resilience and focus. If you know anything about military, you probably know that their day begins at the strike of dawn. The value of time is absolutely immense in the military life, and they practice punctuality like a lifelong ritual. Their day begins at the same time every single day.

So, how can you do it? Well, being punctual is the first and the easiest way to train your brain. Punctuality breeds discipline which in turn breeds mental strength. And remember, the state of your mind is also a muscle. If you snooze, you lose. When you start getting out of your bed on the same time every day, this habit will become a solid foundation to help you get out of your mental and physical comfort blanket. Simple as it might sound, yet, when a Navy Admiral was asked about the most important lessons he learned from his SEAL training, he replied by saying “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed”.

2^nd STEP – DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT

From random shouts to unanticipated attacks, the military mindset is all about preparing for the unknown. In military term, this is called ‘Situational Awareness’, which is the ability of your mind to pay attention to what is going on or happening around you. Of course, a military environment will require entirely different levels of combat tactics and mental conditioning techniques to develop this special ability. However, you too can practice this technique at any point and time in your life.

Mental agility is built when you give your brain something new, challenging and entirely unknown to experience. To make better decisions in your personal and professional lives, you will need lots of mental planning and courage. Mental conditioning drills in the military world are reinforced by positive thinking, controlled aggressive thoughts, relaxation and defusing of destructive emotions. The training involves thinking of new situations and circumstances that might (or might not) happen in the future.

So, questioning how you too can do it? Well, start by giving your brain new situations and simulations on a daily level. Routine is the recipe to safety and to develop mental courage, where you will have to break the patterns of your regular activities. Perhaps, it is easy to be happy when you are well-placed in your personal and professional life. However, go and ask yourself whether you will be happy if you are put in a totally different situation or curve in life, or how well would you respond to the unknown, or whether you have the courage to take the unexpected punches and fits life can throw at you anytime.

So start by going out to new places, making an appointment to meet new people (even if you are an introvert), and so forth can be among various examples of doing something different. Try saying yes to new experiences and activities. Pick up a new hobby or a useful skill. Bottom line, in order for you to be successful, you must learn how to build the right amount of mental confidence and preparedness, as you must also embrace the unknown and have the courage to try out something new and different whenever life gives you an opportunity.

3^rd STEP – VISUALIZE YOUR FUTURE GOALS OR DREAMS

Visualization is one of the most critical fundamentals when it comes to developing a military mindset. No matter how hard you train your mind and how confident you are in life — if you do not have a life purpose or future goal, you will never know which road will take you there. For your reference, a soldier is trained to visualize life-threatening events and situations that they might encounter at any given time. It is almost as if visualizing the future in the present situation so that you can tap your mind into believing you have already witnessed this forthcoming event.

Military personnel in conjunction with that are trained to move towards a common goal. In military training, a ‘trigger’ is developed as part of the mental training, and this trigger can be anything or can be different for everyone. However, the point of this trigger is to remind you of a goal that is worth fighting for, living for, and even dying for.

So, how can you do it?  Well, the answer is very simple – “pick a goal in life”. If you cannot do so, at least try to make a list of things that you find fascinating and then identify what can be of that one particular goal which truly can drive you or guide you ahead. Your goal could be anything from eating healthily, getting fit, writing a book, learning a new skill, or whatever. A visual trigger will help you to learn how to envision or dream it (before you learn how to do it). With that being said, simply choose your trigger. Have one image in your mind that instantly moves and pushes you forward. Make this mental memory the ultimate motivation you need to achieve your goal. Whenever you are in doubt, dilemma, or depression – pull that trigger and go for it!

Finally, the power of visualization is immense. However, it is most effective when practiced with discipline and sincerity. Take a few minutes out of your busy schedules for instance and visualize your goals every single day. Be consistent in your goal visualizations. Always tell yourself that you can do it, even on the days or during the period when you think you cannot do it. Above all, the point behind building a military mindset is to take the best techniques and strategies so that you can use them to up your personal and professional game. Similar to a battlefield, life is not an easy curve. To be successful and have a fulfilling life, the secret is to use your mind to the best of your potential and advantage.