When the going gets tough, one way to ensure that you stay accountable in achieving the goals that are important in your life is to get yourself a “battle buddy.”
This sound familiar?
- Set your goal(s)
- Let life get in the way
- Forget about your goal(s)
Yup, same here. But let’s learn from past mistakes and implement a change that is sure to help you out.
A Setback is Never the End
I was recently listening to an episode of the Learning Leader Podcast with Admiral William McRaven as the guest. He’s had quite the journey in his career, which started as Navy SEAL and led to a position of Commander of the United States Special Operations Command from August 8, 2011, to August 28, 2014 (note the date range as he was directly involved in taking down Osama Bin Laden).
One thing that was mentioned on the podcast that came as a surprise was that McRaven was once fired from his position as team leader of a very elite SEAL team. Definitely wasn’t expecting that after hearing about where he ended up. In discussing how to deal with a setback like this, McRaven states:
Frankly, the way to get out of it is to work twice as hard. And to accept a little humility that you’re never as good as your press clippings. You’re never as good as you think you are. Work hard. Be humble — and I think that will serve you well in life.
– Admiral William McRaven
Keeping this advice in mind is sure to serve you well, but another lesson I took from McRaven’s discussion with Ryan Hawk, which I find applicable as a parent, husband and manager, is the importance of having someone in your life to help support you through the tough times and keep you honest through the good times.
Get Yourself a Partner to Hold You Accountable
McRaven mentioned the term “battle buddy”, which I had never heard of before. Here’s some more info I read about it. Through his tough stretch after being fired, McRaven made sure to have people around him that would not let him stop being the best he could be despite the difficult situation.
When I heard this, I immediately thought about how important this really is in all aspects of life. My wife is “the one in the foxhole next to me” as my old boss used to put it. She motivates me to do all the important things in life:
- Work hard everyday
- Eat healthy
- Stay in shape
- Keep my mind right
When either one of us struggles with anything, we always try to pick each other up…when the time is right to talk about it of course, or else it sure to backfire.
On the work front, I work with an extremely talented and intelligent group of individuals that I always try to learn from to continue getting better. When I’m struggling with any task, which is not a rare occasion, there are a number of folks that I trust and can talk to to work through it.
One important thing to always remember is that you are not perfect and that is OK! Don’t go setting crazy expectations for yourself that are really just setting you up for failure. Life is a journey that never ends. As long as you are consistently putting in a genuine effort and moving towards achieving your goals, you are sure to get there eventually.
Don’t Just Stay Accountable…Stay Humble
Regardless of your position in life, find yourself a “battle buddy”. A partner, friend, colleague…whatever you want to call it…that will help you grind through the tough patches that are inevitably going to come your way. Equally as important, this person (or these people) should be close enough to you that they can keep you honest and humble when things are going your way.
