You know those moments when you feel like you’re up against a challenge SO big, it seems like there’s no way out? Maybe you feel like you have a lot of weight to lose, or maybe you’re up against a health concern that seems “impossible” to fix.
The next time you encounter a goal that feels overwhelming, here’s a story taken straight from the Green Berets — a U.S. Army’s Special Forces unit known for its resilience and tenacity.
Back during the Vietnam War, Army 1st Lt. James “Nick” Rowe spent more than 5 years as a prisoner of war…During that time, he was trapped in a 3’x4’x6’ (0.91 m × 1.22 m × 1.83 m) bamboo cage, and consistently beaten, tortured, fed garbage, and worse.
When he eventually escaped, Rowe (who went on to become a colonel) credited his focus on small victories — looking for any way to gain a slight edge — with helping him survive. For him, the small victories were things like tricking his captors, finding an extra bite of food, or writing in his secret diary.
Col. Rowe was pivotal in creating the Special Forces’ SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape) school.
What does this have to do with your goals?
It’s all about focusing on your next small victory — the one you have to win in order to make the big victory (reaching your ultimate goal!) possible.
In your health and fitness, the small victories that can give you your “slight edge” are:
- Each workout you complete
- Each glass of water you drink
- Each healthy meal you eat
- Each night you get a solid 7-8 hours of sleep
Each of those small victories on its own might seem insignificant, but stacked up, they form a ladder leading straight to your goals.
Let’s get it done!
