Mindset II, Part One

If you have seen any of my blog (such a strange name) before you may have seen the first entry (Mindset). It has a set of principles that outline a very specific end state in mindset that I attempt to get all of my Marines to. In the second part of this post I will re introduce this philosophy and civilianize it, as well as describe it in greater detail. I would say that it has been in development for nine or so years, but really fine tuned in the last three, and finally put to paper with in the last 11 or so months.

The sources for this vary. Some are from myself, where as others are adages I’ve picked up from superiors and subordinates alike, or crap I’ve read over the years. Fundamentally though there are two direct inspirational type sources; “Principles of personal defense, by Col. Jeff Cooper”, and “The 7 habits of highly effective people, by Stephen R. Covey”.

First some disclaimers. Col. Cooper is a BA. No question. He was however a bit conservative and hard lined on some things. He was educated, battle tested, and decent none the less. A good man. His family made a site for him, here. Check it out. I have done a lot of research on him and “know” him well. Stephen Covey on the other hand, I have NOT researched. I THINK he’s big into God. I THINK he’s Mormon. I THINK he is anti-gun/violence. I THINK he and I would not like one another. But I KNOW he is very smart, very good, and wrote an amazing life altering book! Check! On with the post...

Ok the point to all of this, OTHER than my philosophy: To my knowledge these two men never met. They did however both develop two all encompassing, life changing, and uniquely functional principles. They both got it done in seven. 7 habits, 7 principles. Now its important to note that Mr. Covey has “the 8^th habit” book, but this is an after thought of no real relevance if you understand the first book, boiled down he had 7. Like the late Col. Cooper.

Gun nuts and professional war fighters alike both know Col. Coopers principles. They are universal and proven. Time tested.

1.     Alertness

2.     Decisiveness

3.     Aggressiveness

4.     Speed

5.     Coolness

6.     Ruthlessness

7.     Surprise

Like I said pretty self explanatory. They deal with mindset, and conduct of habit vice actual techniques. The book is small, neat, illustrated, and took me about 20 minutes to read cover to cover. It is meant to be re-read periodically and always practically applied.

The good Col. took his time in the writing of stuff martial thinkers have been doing for thousands of years, and suit cased it all nicely. Perhaps coolness should supersede speed, but that’s the only thing I would change, if at all. I preach 2,3,and 6 early and often. As Marines on the battle field we have a certain type of luxury to be offensive as permitted, and typically execute with fine tuned violence. This book is for all of you. Defensive, as a Marine must be when at home. But alert none the less.

Coolness to me is two fold; one I need to be responsible for the ways in which any aggressor will be dealt with while on the “home front”. Also it talks to being able to keep your head in intense moments. I have a friend (kinda), who is the gift from God when it comes to tactics and has seen more combat than anyone else on EARTH (not really), but during any and all evaluations/real world events he turns into a spazz from hell! He has looked at me, and waited for a decision, ran around “looking” for meaningless tasks, and blown tiny and ultimately insignificant things out of proportion. NOT cool. Not at all! This separates good leaders men will look to and depend on because of want, instead of obligation.

1,2, and 5 are necessities in my line of work, and good bases for life for others. These can be applied immediately, and if your like me, you’ve been doing most of them for a long time. My father taught me several of them for that matter. Quite on accident. My father isn’t big on violence like me.

The Seven Habits is faaaaar less martial, but can be applied in anyone’s life, under any circumstances. It is a management book. It talks of business, business owners, and CEO types and applies it to a normal person. It has made me more patient (for those of you who know me imagine me before this friggin book!), a better teacher/student, and a some what better father.

After reading this book I developed a family plan, and made a presentation for it. It spoke to me so clearly that what this man wants is to make you better at what you do. I hunt people. And walk around with a LOT of crap on my back, and live in the woods and junk like that. Shoot weapons. Fight with bayonets…ect.ect. It made me more focused on those things!

Mr. Covey has a much more detailed, taxing book to read. He has four parts, 7 habits, and several appendixes.

I. Paradigms and principles (overview essentially)

II. Private victory

 1. Be proactive

 2. Begin with the end in mind

 3. Put first things first

III. Public victory

 4. Think win/win

 5. Seek first to understand, then be understood

 6. Synergize

IV. Renewal

  7. Sharpen the saw

Part one was a real eye opener for me. It speaks to paradigm shifts, and how to significantly change your prospective on several things. It talks about the importance of controlling the things you CAN, and working WITH the things you cannot.

I found the book (though difficult to read in parts) very enlightening. He hits integrity (just as Col Cooper does) regularly. This is the base for solid lifestyle and happiness. It re-instills honor and focuses your commitment. Coupled with some Marine Corps doctrine pubs, it helped me develop a new base to approach squad leaders and give them a clear and concise direction for themselves and their squads.

No. 5 really hit home. The Corps is a “do as I say” type world at times, especially with the not so good leaders (like my “friend” I mentioned earlier). This leads to one way thinking that does not help with any sort of work environment, especially in combat. now there are times when the iron fist dictator needs to come out, but often someone else has a far better idea, or at least a part of your idea. I work to find the balance there. That’s what separates me from the people I see horizontally and vertically in my current position. I try at least.

Part two will be my take on self development. My little philosophy has gotten rather popular as of late, but like most principles, or principle based ideas, it will be the stuff your already doing. Ideally. I just put it in a word document...