Staying Motivated

[Kragen]

I am 16 years old and hoping to become a Navy SEAL after highschool or college. The problem that I have is when I work out and train it is hard for me to stay motivated and want to start the workout. Can anyone help?

[Thanawalt]

If you don't workout, then how do you expect to make it through BUD/S? I'm always excited at the thought of becoming a SEAL so I'm never really tempted to skip a day of PT. Just think about being accepted into the Teams; works for me. A Navy SEAL poster that is easily visable while you're working out might help, too.

[Kragen]

Thanks Thanawalt ill try that but, all except the poster thing I can never find a local shop that has any. I will try an American Flag to look at though that should work just as well

[VMI_ARMY]

Kregan... get a workout partner.. join the wrestling and swimming team.. no one can keep up the motivation without a little help once an a while..

[Jhagerman]

Go to your local Navy recruiting office, they have all sort sof posters for possible new recruits.

[ReconDoc32]

I'm on my way too, and I've had your same burning question for years. After serving 3 years with Marines, I know what motivation feels like and where it comes from. Just consider this, SEALs are men of the highest character. If you want to be a SEAL you should train yourself to think, feel, and act like a SEAL.
On your worse days, find that one thing that pulls you through. When you're just out and out pissed off and ready to kill someone, make yourself smile and even laugh a little. When someone tells you "you can't ever do that" set your mind to prove them wrong. But most of all, find out the things that mean the most to you and find out if they are important to the SEAL Teams and the U.S. Navy. If so, you will have no problem maintaning motivation, because you will be feeding your "soal", your "being" when and where it's the hungriest. The instructors may allow you to quit, but they won't let you fail. Have faith.
Semper Fi and good life!

[Kragen]

Hey guys thanks I will try all the things you have to say. Thanks agian for all the help I'm sure it will work.

[Thanawalt]

ReconDoc, are you joining the Navy for the SEALs, or are you still in the Marine Corps and are aiming for Recon?

[dragsuit_pup]

Kragen,

I work for a landscaping company during the day for about 9-10 hours a day. After work, I go to my gym and school or my local track and either run or swim followed with PT. And I workout alone. Most days I don't FEEL like busting butt after frying in the sun all day. Most days I could kick up my feet and kiss off a workout. But I don't. It's called inner motivation and you're not going to find that in a poster or a video or a book. You'll find it inside and if you don't find it, you will not make it. I'm not a SEAL, so you can ignore this if you want, but posters will fade, movies will wear out, and you'll crumble when three instructors are screaming in your face when all you have is a book full of words to motivate you. First learn to motivate yourself, then add the books, movies, and posters. Then find a friend to join your workout.

As for acting and behaving like a SEAL....don't get all hung up on that. We're not SEALs yet, we don't know what it MEANS to be a SEAL, so just be you.

Find that inner motivation, dude. Good luck.

Mark

[platinumike]

bring a walkman or radio along, and jam to your favorite cd. Music usually helps me to keep goin

[Wetwash]

I am curious, What does a SEAL act Like.. What is being "like " a SEAl.. Just curious.

[PhilipCal]

Good Morning Kragen, Motivation comes within. There is a major difference between "want" and "desire".A whole lot of people want,hence the term "wannabe".It applies to cops,firefighters,soldiers,Marines,Seals,and Spec Ops troops. How badly you want to become a Seal will largely determine whether or not you succeed. Both the Marine Corps and the Seals put a major emphasis on the team. While that is true,you must decide exactly how much effort you want to put into becoming a Seal. At 16,you have at least two more years to work on what you need. Self discipline is a must.,it's an imperative. Go out for team sports,have a work out buddy,motivate and challenge each other.Don't quit!!You may do all these things and still fail to make the Seal Teams.If you don't do them,failure is guaranteed. Good Luck and Semper Fi !!

[el_oso]

Hello, Kragen. I'll put in my 2 cents to help you.

I have a big american flag on my wall, I have some recorded cadences I listen to while PT, that helps somewhat for motivation, but I'd say like 99,5% of the motivation comes from within. When I'm getting tired of the PT, I see a face I saw on discovery channel 2 years ago in a show about hell week. I will NEVER forget how motivated and determinated his face looked, though one could see he was tired and was cold and felt pain. THAT is what awakes my inner motivation. I want to be like him, and I want it so much so I push myself a bit further.

Remember, word impossible doesn't exist. It's an illusion.

Go for it!

[Navman1j]

Kragen,
I don't usually give advise, but I have been in the military for the last 6 years. It is true that Motivation has to come from within you, but trust me when I tell you that knowledge is power! The reason I tell you this is because the more you learn about the SEALs, the more you might want to become one! So put up a poster, bring a walkman with your favorite tunes on those long runs, but what ever you do make sure you read up on the SEALs! I would recommend the book, "The Warroir Elite" by **** Couch. That book will educate you on what it takes to be one of the worlds greatest warriors!

[reign]

I haven't read any books. All I know about the SEALs is what the Discovery channel puts in their specials [ which are quite educational, check them out ]. I'm just improvising as far as my preparation is concerned. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not a SEAL, and I've never been in BUD/s. Hell, I'm still waiting to ship out to Great Lakes for boot.

All I know, if that the better the shape I'm in, the easier BUD/s will be. That and I love the adrenaline rush of really beating the hell out of yourself. I saw a good billboard a little bit ago for the marines I think: "Pain is weakness leaving the body". I just want to see what I can get done today, so I can see how much better I can do tomorrow. I don't usually count my reps or whatever. I typically go until I'm about to pass out. I've thrown up a number of times. So the **** what? When that happens, I take a drink of water, and keep running. At least I'm lighter than I was before. I'll eat again later.

I agree with everyone, just about. Using devices can help some go further. Devices meaning seeing a poster, a flag, a cd, whatever... All I have to say on top of that, and no one else has mentioned, don't get dependant on those devices. You won't have them at BUD/s, and no matter how hard you work beforehand, you will still be pushed way beyond your limits, regardless. You need to build up your mental strength & stamina, along with your body.

All I do know for sure, is no matter how hard I work, it won't be enough. There's no ******* way I'm going to fall short of doing the impossible. I'd die first.

reign

[VMI_ARMY]

damn.. thats the first sensible/ non-mushy advice so far!.. I like... gracias maje

[pcn85]

All I do know for sure, is no matter how hard I work, it won't be enough. There's no ******* way I'm going to fall short of doing the impossible. I'd die first.



DAMN RIGHT!!!

BUD/s is never going to be easy. Nomatter how hard you train.
Only thing to do is really wanting to pass.

"The only thing that is going to get me of BUD/s is serious injury, being kicked out for some bizzar reason or dieing."

don't remember who sayd/wrote that but thats just how I feelaswell..there is NO way I'll een think of quitting.

[Thanawalt]

Well sure, you can say that all you want for now...but from the SEALs I've talked to, quitting has crossed their minds in BUD/S on many occasions.

[pcn85]

but from the SEALs I've talked to, quitting has crossed their minds in BUD/S on many occasions.


Yeah. Prolly right...after all I haven't been pushing myself THAT far yet!!!

[MattH]

Most days I don't FEEL like busting butt after frying in the sun all day. Most days I could kick up my feet and kiss off a workout. But I don't. It's called inner motivation and you're not going to find that in a poster or a video or a book.

exactly, forget about acting like a SEAL and all that **** . if u r going to be one than you'll never have to worry about acting, talking, feeling or being like a SEAL. that stuff is for neverwillbee's. You watch TV and see a relly cool SEAL show that gets you motivated: material motivation
you look at a poster or flag and get motivated: material motivation
the instructors yell at you and you run a little faster: external motivation
These things are like drugs, don't get addicted to them. this stuff will not be there for you when you are out in the boonies carring your injured buddy over your sholder with a broken leg and one clip of 45. left. Interal motivation will, and thats what will always be there for you, that is what is true and will get you through your training earn you the respect of your buddies, get you everything else you need to survive.
You need mental toughness to keep that motivation, thats when you **** the thought of giving up and convince yourself that the pain is all you need and what dosen't kill you makes you stronger.