Common Goal Leadership

When I was training for USMC Marine Recon, the instructor cadre pushed us through a variety of tests, skill assessments, and physical fitness. Everyone had to be smart and strong. But perhaps the greatest lesson any special operations member will tell you, is the ability to push past the three obstacles everyone must face. In this article, I’ll outline those three obstacles and show you how you will have unlimited potential once you overcome the last.

Obstacle 1: the obstacle others put in front of themselves

By signing up for a volunteer organization, or committing to an event, or perhaps accepting a job opportunity, you are already overcoming this obstacle. It is the easiest to overcome as it is technically not in front of you. It never was. But it was still an obstacle you overcame.

When people saw that sign up sheet or job offer, some people scrolled past. Some people thought to themselves, I just don’t have the time for this or perhaps there is no way I can afford this. The people who don’t have the resources to accomplish what you have are not overcoming this obstacle. That isn’t what I’m referring to. This obstacle is just the perception that one can’t do it. 

The I just don’t have the time for this is an excuse. There is time. There is money. There are resources. But the person has decided not to commit. They won’t raise their hand and you did. You’ve overcome the obstacle they had in front of themselves.

When I was joining the USMC, I was not known as a big tough guy. I’m still not. But my grit and determination had never been on display. When my parents heard about my intention to join, they said one night at dinner, “Marine Corps boot camp is hard. Don’t be upset if you fail.” They meant well. They were trying to manage my expectations. But it stoked a fire in me. Fail? I would surpass failure.

Obstacle 2: the obstacle others put in front of you

In some cases, this could be snide. People may try to bring you down. Are you climbing the corporate ladder or embarking on an achievement? People don’t like to see others succeeding where they wouldn’t try. They will minimize it or worse, try to impede it.

• Are you sure you can manage that? It’s a huge commitment
• Do you know how much that costs?
• That is going to crush your back and knees

Certainly some of these comments may be meant as a way for people to caution you. You need to have people in your corner who can help you manage your time and abilities. But even well-wishers can make you second guess yourself.

This obstacle is much more challenging because if the nay-sayers know you, their comments may be accurate. And once you start believing in them, you are forming the final obstacle on your own.

During the Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Recon students have to complete weighted runs for time. They don’t know the distance of the run and the base is only a few miles wide. So students end up running past the finish line repeatedly, never knowing if the next turn will be the last. As I would run up to the barracks corner, I would sprint all out in an attempt to reduce my time and turn the corner hoping it was the end. More often than not, I faced another lap. That was the moment when your mind told you, “there is no more left. I don’t have anything left to give.” And in that moment, a Recon Marine is born.

Obstacle 3: the obstacle you put in front of yourself

All the other obstacles are abstract. They are things that perhaps don’t affect you. Someone may comment about the time or money commitment. But perhaps you can brush that off your shoulder and soldier on. But the voice inside you that puts down legitimate arguments is the hardest to silence. It could be some excuse someone else gave you, but once you start believing in it, the obstacle becomes almost insurmountable.

This is known as the Mind-Fuck. It has been measured in dozens of ways in psychology. It is when you get to a point that your mind says, “I’m all done” and your body agrees. It slows down. You put down your tools. You nod your head and turn around to go home. You have hit the third and hardest obstacle.

But if you continue. If you push on. If you find that little bit left inside and get past the previously considered red line, then suddenly the sun rises internally. You think, “wow, what else can I accomplish? If that wasn’t the limit…where is it?”

Get past the Mind-Fuck and you will realize you can do anything. The only obstacles in front of you are made up.

In Combat Dive School, one student raised his hand and asked the instructor a question regarding our final fin. “Why are we swimming 6+ miles when our current conflict is in a desert?” Part of the concern was fear-based – swimming for 6 miles is daunting. But part of the question wondered if there was a point to this training. The instructor answered and I’ll never forget.

“When you get to Iraq, and you’re tired and hungry, and the enemy has you pinned down. When you’ve got to move under fire with limited visibility and maximum chaos. When you turn to that Recon Marine next to you and see his dive bubble, you will realize that no matter what happens, this man can endure. He will have your back. He will not give up.”