I remember Navy boot camp like it was yesterday. An event that occurred on my second day still causes me to pause when I reflect on it. You can tell a new soldier who has just arrived at boot camp from one who is about to graduate based upon the clothes and ribbons they wear.
It was clearly my second day, evidenced by what I was wearing. I was walking single file with my unit down a hall and a sailor who was just about to graduate passed us.
He must have noticed my expression. It without a doubt said, “I am tired, intimidated, scared and hungry.” You can’t talk when walking in formation, therefore he whispered out of the side of his mouth as we passed, “Hang in there…you can do it.”
I turned to look at his face, but all I saw was the back of his head. Every night before I drifted off to sleep I replayed those words. I will never know that sailor’s name. He will never know how it turned my attitude around 180 degrees. He will never know that years later I still remember the electricity of encouragement that shot through my body.
I knew that the only reason he knew what I was feeling is because he had been where I was and felt what I felt. He had made it and wanted me to know that I could as well. I was eternally grateful.
Then it was my turn. On my graduation day, I walked into a storage facility and saw three sailors leaning up against the wall. They were new and scared, intimidated, tired and hungry. I walked over to them and whispered, “Hang in there…you can do it.” Within one second tears filled the eyes of the female sailor and one of the males clenched his fist and gave me a million thanks with his eyes.
As I walked away I had goose bumps. I knew that my words would be motivation for the rest of the day and fuel every night to keep them focused on their goal of graduation when they wanted to quit. I hope they passed on the encouragement to another sailor before they graduated…and I know they did.
If you are in a valley, then remember this. Others have been there (including me). Hang in there. You can do it. Whether your goal is boot camp graduation, building a business or a raising a family… since others have done it… you can too. Hang in there.
If you are at a peak, do not underestimate what a few kind words of encouragement might do for those around you.
Many find it odd that at this point in my career that I am in the Naval Reserves. I generate more income by one person attending my seminar than I do in my one weekend a month. When I was activated, I earned a fraction of my current income. But, I do it because it is right for me and in my heart I have to. I also do it because the lessons like the one above are invaluable to me. I hope you found some value in it as well.
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Ron White has spent almost 2 decades training business professionals and students on how to improve their memory, grades and income. He is the 2009 US Memory Champion and has broken a national record by memorizing a 167-digit number in 5 minutes. Visit his website here.
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