Everyday Warrior (eBook)

Introduction

Life itself is a war, and each day a battle. Fight or submit—it’s entirely up to you.

Some may handle the battles of life better than others, but it’s not easy for anyone—it’s not supposed to be. The best we can do is pursue a life of balance and purpose, but even this path is fraught with hardship. It requires always pushing yourself further, demonstrating discipline in an undisciplined world, remaining accountable even when no one is watching, and seeking to have a positive impact on those around you.

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve accomplished—the journey won’t be easy. So, remember two things when you’re struggling with doubt: nobody’s perfect, and we’re all battling something.

The single mom working two jobs to selflessly provide her children with a better life.

The entrepreneur pursuing his dreams of building a company that revolutionizes an industry.

The man who’s dealing with an emotionally debilitating divorce.

The busy parent balancing the pressures of work, family, and staying healthy.

The veteran who’s reestablishing her sense of identity after leaving the military.

The high school athlete who’s practicing in the months leading up to his varsity tryouts.

The young professional who’s struggling with depression while building his career.

The elderly volunteer fighting every day to improve her community.

The person feeling lost who knows something is missing but can’t figure out what.

No matter what you’re facing or who you are, you’re fighting for a better life, and it’s a life that you deserve.

Who’s standing in your way? Despite what people in today’s culture of victimhood and entitlement say, very few battles are against external forces or other people. The overwhelming majority of our failures and shortcomings are the result of internal struggles, which means the person looking back at you in the mirror each morning is also the one standing in your way.

Now the question is: are you going to take the easy route by playing the victim…

…or are you going to fight?

The Everyday Warrior Philosophy

Everything in life requires work—whether that’s your career, physical fitness, relationships, or mental health. This effort feels easy when things run smoothly, but that never lasts. Despite our best intentions, the circumstances of life often derail us from our goals. Very few people are fortunate enough to have been taught the framework or to have developed the discipline required to remain focused when times get tough.

Today’s world is under attack by those looking to take advantage of other people’s insecurities and busy schedules. Besides taking cover behind the deafening noise and endless bombardment of information that defines our culture, these individuals wield an incredibly potent weapon: false promises.

Tell me if any of these sound familiar:

•Take this pill and lose fifteen pounds in just fifteen days.

•Invest now and become financially independent overnight.

•Buy this app to be more productive and successful.

•Follow this simple life hack to find true happiness.

Here’s the problem: quick fixes don’t work, and shortcuts are dead ends. They prevent us from developing the positive habits and discipline needed to grow. They harm us physically, mentally, and spiritually, and waste our time—the one thing we can’t do if we’re to achieve our goals.

If you want to live a life of purpose, there are no hacks, no silver bullets, no shortcuts. What remains is you putting in the work and driving toward your goals, one step ATTA time.

Everyday Warrior is a philosophy based on the belief that personal growth is a lifelong journey—not a destination. It’s a mindset built on lessons I’ve learned from some of the most inspirational and highest-performing individuals in the world. This book will help you develop the warrior mindset needed to fight your battles, achieve your goals, and pursue balance in your life.

I should warn you now that this is far from a quick fix. Instead, it’s a no-hack, practical framework using time-tested principles for living a good life. While the path may be long and the journey hard, success is only possible when we focus on our whole self, including the physical, mental, and spiritual.

Whether you acknowledge it or not, life is the ultimate battlefield, and it requires a warrior’s mindset and strategic approach. You will face challenges that you must overcome, take on fights that bring you closer to achieving your goal, taste sweet victory, and experience the bitterness of defeat. While life is a battle, it shouldn’t be viewed as a competition you can objectively win or lose, but rather a journey of learning, growth, and hopefully balance.

It is relatively easy to identify when the battle is not going your way. Here are a few signs:

•You’ve achieved success but still feel something’s missing (purpose, joy, impact).

•You haven’t set goals or are fighting for something that doesn’t matter to you.

•You feel alone and lack a tribe—a sense of homecoming and belonging.

•You’re experiencing self-induced stress, anxiety, and/or depression.

•You’re not making progress toward achieving your goals.

•People in your life seem frustrated with you.

•You don’t know what you’re fighting for.

•You feel overwhelmed.

If these sound all too familiar, it’s okay. These are normal setbacks that we all experience from time to time. I know because I’ve personally had each happen to me, sometimes several at once. They may be common, but that doesn’t make them acceptable. Why? Because you deserve better and deserve to be happy. The good news is that you are in control of both. After all, you’re the hero of your own story, and it’s an inspirational one—even if you are still writing it.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Sir Isaac Newton is among the most consequential scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers in history. His contributions to humanity forever changed the world, including the law of universal gravity, calculus, and the modern telescope. While brilliant, he knew the credit wasn’t his alone, saying, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” This simple yet profound metaphor is incredibly personal to me. Any success I’ve enjoyed in life is because of the men and women who’ve shaped, mentored, and guided me. Not only did these giants stand alongside me, but they allowed me the honor of standing upon their shoulders.

I served as a Recon Marine, Scout-Sniper, and U.S. Navy SEAL during my career. After twenty years in Special Operations, including with the elite Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), I retired and started several companies. Some were successful, while others were the textbook definition of failures.

My military and business experience may have taught me valuable lessons about building habits, setting goals, and being a warrior, but it’s not what qualifies me to write this book. That credit goes to the men and women who’ve encouraged, mentored, and invested in me; their wisdom humbled me, and their patience allowed me room to grow. I could never come close to fully repaying that debt, but I honor them by using their knowledge to guide your journey and by preserving their wisdom so they may live on forever in the success of future generations.

This book isn’t about me—it’s about you and the shoulders of those we both now stand upon.

Here are the Everyday Warrior eleven principles of living:

1. Establish the mindset of a warrior—hold yourself to high standards.
2. Embrace failure—there’s no better motivator or teacher.
3. Strive for balance through mental, physical, and spiritual fitness.
4. Know thyself and continually seek self-improvement (courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps and Army).
5. Take ownership of your life. You are not a victim.
6. Don’t be a spectator; step into the arena of life. Set your intention, form a plan, and take action. Then, reflect and repeat.
7. Don’t take shortcuts—they don’t work! Live life one step ATTA time.
8. Learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Hard choices lead to an easy life.
9. The Warrior Way: Get Shit Done. Make Shit Happen. Do It All Again Tomorrow. These are the hallmarks of discipline and accountability.
10. Find your tribe. Make sure they aspire to be great—iron sharpens iron.
11. Learn to honestly critique yourself, and take time to rest, reflect, and grow.

No matter who you are or where you’re from, following these principles and internalizing the Everyday Warrior mindset will give you the framework for a life of purpose, impact, and fulfillment.

Are You Ready?

This book alone won’t change your life, nor will any other book, seminar, mentor, or coach. Their guidance may provide a framework for progress, but it can never replace action. Only one thing in this world can change your life: you. In the end, change is nothing more than a mindset that chooses action over complacency.

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