Achieving My First Goal: A Personal Journey from Navy Life
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Chapter 1: From Resentment to Resolution
The lessons I learned during my time in the Navy have been invaluable in tackling all my subsequent endeavors.
I remember feeling utterly defeated as I scrubbed the gray paint from my arms. It seemed pointless, as I would only find myself covered in it again the following day. I felt ensnared in a repetitive cycle, akin to the movie "Groundhog Day." For weeks, I had been painting the ship, a massive vessel with endless surfaces to cover.
I had even taken to painting my own skin, as I despised wearing gloves. The trade-off for comfort was that I had to remove every trace of paint each day. A single spot left on my elbow could lead to reprimands from superiors. And, as a junior sailor, I had many superiors.
In a moment of despair, tears streaming down my face, I realized I was the architect of my own unhappiness. My poor decisions had landed me in this situation. Accepting this truth sparked a revelation: if my choices had led to this misery, what might happen if I chose differently?
That night, I set my first genuine goal.
Fast forward six years, and I had transformed from that bitter, paint-smeared sailor into someone who had earned the respect of my peers and accolades from superiors. Most importantly, I left the Navy wearing a uniform that was free of paint—though that wasn't my biggest takeaway.
The change began when I decided I couldn't endure another day of painting. I sought alternative paths. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was laying the groundwork for a strategy that has guided me through every project since:
- Define your goal.
- Develop a backward plan.
- Take action.
While the last step sounds straightforward, I want to share three essential tools that keep me motivated:
- Movement precedes motivation.
- Always identify the "Next Action."
- Maintain consistency.
These principles helped me regain my footing in the Navy, and it all started when I set my first goal.
Section 1.1: Step 1 - Define Your Goal
Select a goal—any goal. It need not be overly ambitious or daunting. Ideally, your goal should be something that cannot be achieved in a single leap. If it were that simple, you'd have already accomplished it, right?
Here are some examples to consider:
- Reducing your cholesterol.
- Delivering a presentation to your supervisor.
- Leading a local youth organization.
- Writing a book.
- Learning a new language.
- Seeking a promotion at work.
Essentially, a goal is anything you aspire to achieve that lies beyond your immediate grasp.
What did I genuinely desire? That was a simple question for me: I wanted to do something other than paint!
It's essential to recognize that being a deckhand involves more than simply painting the ship or mopping the deck. It's an honorable and historically significant role. In today’s context, while it doesn't typically involve climbing sails, maintenance of a ship remains crucial, much like caring for a vehicle.
When I first boarded my ship, I was assigned to the department responsible for maintaining the ship's exterior. Let me tell you, the relentless manual labor made me question my life choices.
At just 19, I thought I knew everything and often clashed with my superiors. In earlier military eras, insubordination could have led to harsh punishments. Fortunately, I served in the late 20th century and faced less severe consequences. Instead, I was confined to the ship and put to work.
What initially seemed like a promising future quickly morphed into a four-year ordeal, and I was only a few months into my service. I realized I needed to change my mindset; the Navy was my last opportunity to turn my life around. If I was discharged, I would find myself back on the streets—a fate I was determined to avoid.
What could I do? Leaving the Navy wasn’t an option, but I could transfer to a different department. I became intrigued by the Operations Department, where navigators, known as Quartermasters, worked their magic by interpreting the stars to determine our location in the vast ocean.
Thus, I established my goal: I would become a Quartermaster.
Section 1.2: Step 2 - Create a Backward Plan
Every effective plan begins with gathering information. Without knowing what steps to take, I couldn’t move forward.
I started by posing questions to myself:
- Q: What do I want?
- A: A different experience during my Navy enlistment.
- Q: How can I achieve that?
- A: I can’t leave the ship, but I can switch departments.
By continuing to refine my inquiries, I ultimately arrived at a concrete answer that outlined a specific task to tackle. By reversing my thought process, the final answer became the first step in my action plan.
After identifying my aspiration to become a Quartermaster, I initiated another round of questions to understand what that entailed.
It didn’t take long to determine that I needed to pass a navigation exam, offered twice a year on my ship. However, I wouldn’t qualify to take it until the following year.
With all the necessary information in hand, I devised a straightforward plan:
- Study navigation.
- Pass the exam.
Now, it was time to take action.
Chapter 2: Step 3 - Take Action
In practical terms, this meant studying the manual after my shifts. Living on a ship made it easier to learn navigation, but I still had daily responsibilities. Whenever we set sail, I would sneak away to the chart table on the bridge to learn from our ship's Quartermasters.
At night, I would study in my bunk or the ship's library, immersing myself in the intricacies of navigation.
Teaching oneself can be more challenging than it seems. There’s no one to evaluate your progress, no supervisor to provide feedback, and no peers for friendly competition. The motivation must come from within, which can be a significant hurdle.
Here are a few strategies I’ve learned to maintain momentum:
Movement Before Motivation
Why didn’t you write 1,000 words this morning? Because I didn’t feel like it. If you wait until you feel inspired, you might never start. On days when you lack motivation, just begin writing anyway.
Start before you feel like it; this can often lead to genuine motivation. Once you push through those initial sentences, the words may flow effortlessly.
Alternatively, if you’re struggling with daily writing goals, consider a Pomodoro technique. Commit to writing for just 25 minutes. Some days, I’ll stop after one session, but often I’m so immersed in my work that I lose track of time.
Always Have a "Next Action"
Whenever I found myself with spare time, I would ask, “What’s the one thing I can do right now to move forward?”
For me, becoming a Quartermaster was my sole objective. Therefore, my answer was always to study.
Many people juggle multiple projects, though. David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done, provides great insights into productivity. A key takeaway is the idea of identifying a "Next Action."
Every project is essentially a list of steps. No matter where you are in a project, there’s always a next step you can take.
Stay Consistent
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." — Calvin Coolidge
Every challenge comes with an initial thrill, which can help us push through the early days of a new routine. But as the excitement fades, it’s easy to lose focus and revert to old habits.
Staying the course is crucial. While studying for that navigation exam, I was wholly committed. However, quitting smoking was a different story. Although I wanted to change, I often found myself falling into a cycle of failure and despair.
One day, I had an epiphany: no one else was counting the days since I last smoked, so why should I? I stopped keeping track. Instead of fixating on the past, I focused on today.
When I faltered, I didn’t feel defeated; I simply forgave myself and tried again. I persisted until I no longer felt the need to start over.
James Clear posits that every action is a vote for the person you want to become. I aimed to be a Quartermaster, and I reinforced that identity by studying every day. I wanted to be a non-smoker, and every smoke-free day was a vote in favor of that identity.
Stay consistent; every action counts.
What Comes Next?
I’ve encountered fellow veterans who harbor bitterness about their service. Had I not chosen a different path, I might have felt the same way. Instead, I am filled with gratitude.
It’s no surprise that I passed the exam and became a respected sailor in the Navy. After achieving my goal of becoming a Quartermaster, I set new objectives for myself, using the same process.
Whenever I aspire to conquer something new, I follow these three steps:
- Set a goal.
- Create a backward plan.
- Take action.
Remember, every project consists of steps that you must tackle one at a time. Don’t focus on the total number of steps; concentrate on the one you’re currently on and anticipate the next.
Once you achieve your goal, don’t be surprised if new ambitions arise. Accomplishment can be addictive. So, set a new goal and start the process anew.
Wishing you fair winds and smooth sailing on your journey—you’ve got this!
Chapter 3: Video Insight
In this video, titled "From 0 to 1 MILLION Gold in Sea of Thieves," explore strategies for accumulating wealth and resources in the game, paralleling the lessons learned in goal setting and persistence.
The second video, "Journey to The Shores of Gold," showcases an adventure in Sea of Thieves, highlighting teamwork and determination—essential elements in pursuing any goal.