2. You Can’t Go It Alone (Find someone to help you paddle)

“Find someone to share your life with.  Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your success depends on others.”

3. Only the Size of Your Heart Matters (Measure a person by the size of their heart)

“It’s not the size of your flippers that count, just the size of your heart.”

4. Life’s Not Fair-Drive On! (Get over being a sugar cookie)

“True leaders must learn from their failures, use the lessons to motivate themselves, and not be afraid to try again or make the next tough decision.”

5. Failure Can Make You Stronger (Don’t be afraid of the circus)

“Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, of hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential.”

6. You Must Dare Greatly (Slide down the obstacle headfirst)

“Life is a struggle and the potential for failure is ever present, but those who live in fear of failure, or hardship, or embarrassment will never achieve their potential.”

7. Stand Up to the Bullies (Don’t back down from the sharks)

“Bullies gain their strength through the timid and faint of heart.”

8. Rise to the Occasion (Be your best in the darkest moments)

“At some point, we will all confront a dark moment in life.”

9. Give People Hope (Start singing when you are up to your neck in mud)

“We will all find ourselves neck deep in mud someday.  This is the time to sing loudly, to smile broadly, to lift up those around you and give them hope that tomorrow will be a better day.”

10. Never, Ever Quit! (Don’t ever, ever ring the bell)

“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.”

The book is full of memorable characters.

Ranger Adam Bates had his legs blown off and he was badly injured in the hospital.  He signed to the author, who was at a loss of words, and said “I will be ok.”

SEAL team member Tommy Norris won the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War even though he was small and was almost kicked out of SEAL training.

Notable Quotes

“Hope is the most powerful force in the universe.” Admiral William H. McRaven

“At some point, we will all confront a dark moment in life.”  Admiral William H. McRaven

“Life isn’t fair and the sooner you learn that the better off you will be.”  Moki Martin

“I won’t quit!” Unknown Navy SEAL candidate

Law Enforcement Application

Although starting a career is law enforcement doesn’t require the sacrifices and hardships that must be endured to become a Navy SEAL, there are many lessons in this book for law enforcement leaders.

If we as law enforcement leaders apply the 10 principles in the book to how we lead and how we serve, there is no doubt we will be better leaders and our organizations will accomplish its goals.

This inspirational book will equip law enforcement leaders and officers with the tools necessary to carry out the difficult duties that must be done each and every day.

Law enforcement officers frequently encounter people in crisis.  In many cases, these people are going through the worst situation they have ever had to deal with.

How can they be served if the officers are not physically and mentally prepared to help them?

This book will help get you mentally prepared for the job and for life.  Who knows, maybe these little changes can change the world.

The physical preparation is up to you.

I have included the video of Admiral William H. McRaven’s speech below.