Inside the Mind of a Former SEAL: Mark Divine’s 11 Statements For Optimal Living

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Excerpt: Mark Divine, author of The Way of the SEAL, shares insight as to what the mindset of a SEAL might look like when it comes to optimal living.

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If you have ever had a hard time making a decision; have found yourself lost or confused on your path; or just aren’t sure if what you’re doing is right—this post is for you.

Mark Divine, author of The Way of the SEAL, shares with us some insight as to what the mindset of a Navy SEAL might look like when it comes to optimal living.

The clarity in his thoughts, as expressed in his 11 statements below allow for focused, decisive action—the exact kind of action that someone would need to take in order to live a deliberate and impactful life.

These statements aren’t just for Navy SEALs however—they are for anyone who wants to take a stand.

A stand against mediocrity; against indecision; against greed; against selfishness; against laziness; against anything and everything that’s holding us back from realizing our full potential—as a person and as a society.

In regard to this, Mark comments, “the type of global paradigm change we face, the work required to steer the ship in a new direction, is too overwhelming to expect any single political, spiritual, academic, or warrior leader to rise up to lead us through the mess. No, it must be an individual, team, or systemic level effort where we all unite for an upwelling of honor, courage, and commitment. This time it is not just for your home team, but for THE home team of our human race.”

So what do you think? Are you ready to take a stand?! Are you ready to do it not just for yourself but for the human race?! Take some time to digest and reflect on the statements below—maybe they’ll find their way into your life?

And at the very least, hopefully they give you a good starting point for coming up with stands/ statements of your own. Good luck!

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Mark Divine’s 11 Statements For Optimal Living:

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1) I know why I am doing what I am doing.  I will not allow the winds of pain or pleasure to blow me off course from my stand, nor will I let the desires of others distract me from my purpose.  I embrace risk, loss, and failure as necessary companions and teachers on my journey.

2) I will win in my mind before seeking to win in the arena.  I am committed to self-mastery.

3) When faced with challenges, I embrace the suck, get the job done, and keep moving on to the next task.  I know I am capable of 20 times more than I think I am.

4) I display integrity and authenticity in thought, word, and deed—alone, with teammates, and within the ‘systems’ defining my life.

5) I never shy from hard leadership roles, yet I step back when it is someone else’s turn.  I am not after power, glory, money, or fame—rather, the experience to lead and serve on my journey to self-mastery.

6) I am driven by my passions and my purpose, not a need for titles or accolades.

7) I go to the challenge and strive for self-control, desiring to forge my mental toughness so I can earn a Trident of respect every day.

8) I never quit in training or on an ‘op,’ and I never leave a teammate behind.

9) I acknowledge and am open to my inner wisdom, ever seeking to expand my awareness; eradicate faulty thinking; and cultivate a strong mind, body, and spirit connection.

10) I strive to remain innovative, creative, and offense-oriented in my approach to all things. I don’t fear failure and I never shy from risk.  I am always learning and growing.

11) I train realistically and aggressively, coming back to basics often.  I take nothing for granted and work tirelessly to hone my skills for extraordinary results.

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If you enjoyed these insights, you can find more quotes, resources, and ideas in Mark Divine’s Book, The Way of the Seal, below!

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