Be Like a Paratrooper in Training (No Gunplay Required)

Recently I found myself watching the band of brothers DVD series, which too many people’s amazement I have never seen before. While I won’t talk about how one episode has already got me hooked, I will talk about how the entire first episode takes place during the troop’s hardcore training regimen that was designed with a specific purpose in mind, to make them the most badass paratroopers that would head behind enemy lines.

Imagine for a moment if you were told you have to go to war in one week (and yes that means you too ladies) how would you feel? Would you be scared, nervous, excited? Something tells me that most people, including myself, would be a giant whirlwind of emotions. This is where something like combat training is important to someone who is about to enter the front lines. Similarly so, this is the exact same situation where men and women in non life or death (but periless) situations need to exercise their ability to grow a thicker skin, endure the vigorous training, and come out that much more of a resilient human being than before.

While many of us will never have to run 15 miles a day and dawn full battle gear and climb around barbed wire in preparation for war, many of us are in a constant combat with the incessant negative occurs around us. Whether one is dealing with stress at home, an over controlling boss, or even a constant clash of the titans with one’s spouse, there is always some form of conflict occurring in life. The problem with these ever recurring situations doesn’t lie in the fact that they occur at all, but how you do or do not respond to it.

When a soldier in training is faced with a 20 foot wood barrier and is told that he must find a way over it while having over 150 pounds of equipment strapped to his legs and back, he is not allowed to cower behind the corner and fall into a depression while conference calling his therapist. He is told that he must clear that wall or his whole squad will be faced with severe repercussions (aka if in combat you could get someone killed). People in today’s modern society are all too eager to jump into a therapists couch, cower in the corner, or simply not face the negativity or problems that are occurring in their life. While I do agree that there is always a time and a place for therapy and not facing the negativity in your life had on, I find that utilizing mental training similar to that of what the paratroopers went through in boot camp, is critical to overcoming many of the obstacles one has in life.

Forcing yourself into a training mentality is as simple as exercising your ability to utilize free will and pushing yourself to the next level. If you are faced with a situation that is negative in any way, decide to handle it head on right there, instead of looking for the back door escape route that will be easier on your psyche. You may need to do or say some things that are not pleasant, but if you are taking right action towards dealing with the negativity in your life in a positive way, then you can be sure that those uncomfortable moments during your dealings with the negativity will have huge payoffs in the end.

For example, if you find yourself constantly facing negativity in the face of your spouse, simply take the situation head on. Use your vast intellect to address the situation with a strong will, listen to your spouse’s side of the ordeal, voice your own opinions, and come to a conclusion that will satisfy both parties. This may sound like a shady business deal, but if you treat conflict directly and allow yourself the ability to make wrong what is right in any given situation, you will be faced with a lot less stress in your life.

So the next time you are faced with a tough situation, instead of getting pissed off, sad, worried, or any other worthless emotion, be like a paratrooper about to be dropped behind enemy lines and remember to use your mental training to get you through any situation you may be facing.

Cheers

Gabriel