My favorite quote from this book "If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers."
The book has ten chapters with ten lessons from the author's experiences.
Chapter one: start your day with a task completed
___before training, all the trainees have to make their bed in certain way. If not, they have to roll on the sand like a "sugar cookie".
___The purpose is to motivate oneself with a completed task throughout a day.
Chapter two: you can't do it alone
___"you need people in your life to help you through the difficult times"
___the author was put in a rubber boat with a team. Sometime, one of his teammates was getting sick, other members had to put more work to keep the boat running.
___Once, the author was hospitalized. His wife took care of him and never let him fell pity for himself. She reminded him about the tough man he used to be. His admiral and other teammates came to help him.
___his advice: "Find someone to share your life with. Make many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others."
Chapter three: only the size of your heart matters
___before the training, the recruiter mocked a little trainee because he was five foot tall. The sailor simply said "I won't quit!". Then, the recruiter whisper ""Prove me wrong!"
___The sailor finished the swim faster than anyone.
___"SEAL training was always about proving something. Proving that size didn’t matter. Proving that the color of your skin wasn’t important. Proving that money didn’t make you better. Proving that determination and grit were always more important than talent."
Chapter four: life's not fair -- drive on!
___Moki was a athlete, a competitive SEAL that the author admired. Unfortunately, he involved in a bicycle crash and was in wheelchair. He never complained and felt pity!
___Don't complain, don't blame it on your misfortune. Stand tall, look to the future, and drive on!
Chapter five: failure can make you stronger
___if trainees failed to meet standards on training day, they had to take Circus test. That is an intensity test that led to fatigue and make trainees failed again on the next day; however, in the final test, the ones that took Circus test finished first
___Failure strengthen men when they learn from it.
Chapter six: you must dare greatly
___if you live in fear, you'll never achieve your potential. Just pushing your limits.
Chapter seven: stand up to the bullies
___the trainees had to swim at night with caution that they might confront with sharks.
___in order to pass the ocean, they had to swim and punch in the eyes of the sharks.
Chapter eight: rise to the occasion
___in any dark moment, don't loose yourself, be your very best.
Chapter nine: give people hope
___trainees were stuck in mud. They started singing and moving on even though the coach did not let them.
___when you are in mud, and sing along, that not only helps yourself but also lift other people up. Giving them hope that tomorrow will be better.
Chapter ten: never, ever quit!
___trainees can ring the bell and quit Navy SEALs.
Last notes:
"Life is full of difficult times. But someone out there always has it worse than you do. If you fill your days with pity, sorrowful for the way you have been treated, bemoaning your lot in life, blaming your circumstances on someone or something else, then life will be long and hard. If, on the other hand, you refuse to give up on your dreams, stand tall and strong against the odds—then life will be what you make of it—and"
"Remember… start each day with a task completed. Find someone to help you through life. Respect everyone. Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often. But if you take some risks, step up when times are toughest, face down the bullies, lift up the downtrodden, and never, ever give up—if you do these things, then you can change your life for the better… and maybe the world!"
