The true reason I left the Special Operations Forces:
– Became a Commando
– Sniper qualified
– Counter terrorism training
– Special Ops Officer and team leader
– Deployments to Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq
From a military career point of view, my future was bright.
Then I walked away.
So, why did I leave?
I was frustrated.
My wake-up call:
Sitting in Iraq, world-class actionable intel in hand, operations planned…
And watching them collect dust on the shelf.
It’s like being a caged lion.
Trained to hunt.
Built to execute.
But forced to sit tight and do nothing.
We did meaningful stuff, but nowhere near as much as we could have done.
That’s when it hit me:
I wasn’t frustrated with the military.
I was frustrated with not fully owning my Impact.
So I did what any Special Operator would:
Mission analysis of my own life. 😃
SATISFIERS:
• Elite brotherhood
• High-stakes playing field
• Advanced training
• Clear purpose
DISSATISFIERS:
• Limited autonomy
• Restricted impact
• Bureaucratic barriers
• Someone else’s timeline
I added the costs of not making Lifestyle Design Choices:
I was missing out on:
• Other relationships that matter, and building a family
• Health that lasts
• Time freedom
• Life impact on my terms
This pattern emerged: I needed to own my mission. All of it.
That feeling?
It’s not just military.
It’s universal.
You feel it when:
• Your kids grow up while you’re in meetings
• Your health takes a backseat to deadlines
• Your relationships become calendar entries
• Your life serves your career, not vice versa
True success is 360 degrees:
• Achievement without health is hollow
• Success without family is empty
• Power without purpose is pointless
• Time is the only non-renewable resource
The most dangerous mission?
Winning the game but losing what matters most to you.
You’ve mastered your profession.
Now it’s time to master your life.
What’s really at stake by not owning your Impact?
Who loses if you don´t take ownership of your Lifestyle Design?
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