Navy SEAL "why men don't reach their goals"

Few people know how to reach their objectives better than Navy SEALs, the most elite fighting force on the planet.

It’s not just grit. It’s not just gear. It’s their understanding of the mission order, a system that creates clarity under fire.

Last week, I was reflecting on this with my coach and friend Garrett Unclebach, a former Navy SEAL and leader of Mighty Men here in Texas, one of the sharpest minds I know when it comes to strategy and leadership under pressure.

We were talking about the difference between having goals vs. having a mission, and why most men stay stuck.

This weekend, I ran a quick poll and asked which topic you’d want me to break down next across the Four Domains (Faith, Fitness, Family, Finances).

The top answer? Finances.

Specifically, How to build a $10K side hustle in a few hours a week.

Second place? Faith.

So we’re gonna cover both.

If you want to increase your income by $10k or build stronger faith, this article is for you.

Not just the outcome…

But the operating system underneath it.

How the SEAL’s do it: WHY MOST MEN STAY STUCK (THE MISSION ORDER LENS)

In the SEAL teams, they don’t move without a mission order.

Every op has a structure—who, what, where, when, why, how.

It’s not motivational fluff. It’s tactical clarity.

Because in the field, confusion gets people killed.

Most men today operate like civilians.

They chase objectives without orders.

They confuse busyness with progress.

And they fold under pressure because they don’t know what they’re actually executing on.

It’s not that they’re weak.

They’re just undisciplined in their process.

Ready. Fire. Aim.

Coaching isn’t about inspiration. It’s about mission clarity.

When you move like an operator, not an over-thinker, everything tightens:

• You stop asking, “What should I do?”

• You start executing what you must do.

• You stop needing motivation. You have a mission.

THE MISSION-FIRST CASCADE

Here’s the hierarchy elite operators and high performers use.

Think of it as your mission order, a tactical cascade that moves you from vague vision to daily execution:

Vision —> Mission —> Strategy—> Tactic—>Method—>Objective—>Agenda

1. VISION

The high ground. The long-term outcome. What are you ultimately building?

2. MISSION

What’s the tangible result in front of you? This is your immediate objective that pushes the vision forward.

3. STRATEGY

The high-level game plan. How will you approach the mission with leverage and intent?

4. TACTIC

The specific tools or moves you’ll deploy.

5. METHOD

The repeatable system. How will you execute the tactic consistently and sustainably?

6. OBJECTIVE

What’s the measurable win that marks progress? Clear target. No ambiguity.

7. AGENDA

What are you doing today? What gets done, no matter how you feel?

Every man wants results.

But they don’t have a mission.

They’ve never been taught how to think and act like an operator.

So they shoot from the hip, either failing completely or creating havoc in the process.

But, when you get this right?

You don’t hustle harder, you move smarter.

You start stacking wins that actually move the needle.

You stop second-guessing.

And you finally start leading like a man who’s on assignment, not just ambition.

FROM AMBITION TO ASSIGNMENT - The $10k Case Study

And that’s the real shift:

From ambition to assignment.

Ambition is loud.

Assignment is locked in.

Ambition throws punches.

Assignment lands them.

When you operate off mission, tactic, and agenda, your life stops being reactive.

Your faith grows predictably.

Your finances multiply systematically.

Let’s bring this home.

A few days ago, I asked what topic you wanted most, and “how to build a $10K side hustle in a few hours a week” came out on top.

So let me show you what that actually looks like in real life.

Meet Blake.

When we started working together 5 months ago, Blake had the heart, the skill, and the calling.

He wanted to help pastors manage the stress of leadership at home and in their church, impact greater and craft impactful sermons that moved people and honored God.

But like most men, he was sitting on a goldmine with no map.

He didn’t need another idea.

He needed an operating system.

So we built one.

Here’s how we turned his passion into a ($10k+) profit center in 5 months.

Mission Cascade… not just another goal.

1. VISION

The big picture: Where are we going?

“Help 100 pastors communicate with power and clarity while building a business that gives me freedom and supports my family and ministry.”

2. MISSION

The tangible target right in front of you.

“Enroll 5 pastors per week from my network into my 1:1 Clarity Coaching Program by the end of the month.”

*(As of today he’s at 30 total clients).

3. STRATEGY

The overarching plan of attack.

“Position myself as the go-to voice for sermon coaching through valuable content, personal outreach and networking”

4. TACTIC

Specific actions supporting the strategy.

“Active outreach, call, email and text all pastors in network and actively reach out to 10 potential clients per day.”

5. METHOD

The system to execute consistently.

“Outbound outreach, automated followup systems, referrals and results oriented coaching to generate referrals”

6. OBJECTIVE

Measurable weekly target.

“10 outbound calls/emails per day, 5 new clients per week, 1 referral and 1 testimonial”

7. AGENDA

What gets done today.

“Call new leads, followup on previous leads, deliver high impact coaching sessions, review coaching calls and create structured coursework for clients.”

Five months later, Blake has 4X’d his monthly income.

He’s serving pastors at a deep level.

He’s leading his family with more clarity and confidence.

He’s also lost 50+ pounds, deepened his Faith and created a life of Freedom.

And most importantly, he’s not guessing anymore.

No fancy funnels. No viral videos. Just structure.

… and this is where Faith comes in.

If you have the desire to increase your income (another $10k wouldn’t hurt right?) or impact others with your knowledge or expertise you must understand first and foremost that desire is a seed of Faith.

It’s planted in you by something greater than you.

It’s your job to turn it into something tangible.

To fulfill the vision, accomplish the mission and live with purpose.

You can’t do this with just a goal.

The same way the SEAL’s don’t start a mission with just an intention.

Vision —> Mission —> Strategy—> Tactic—>Method—>Objective—>Agenda

… and you don’t have to do it alone, nor should you.

Elite operators like the Navy SEAL’s have mission commanders, teammates and specialists — and every high performer (myself included) have coaches, counselors and mentors to help us see our blindspots and improve our strategies, tactics and methods.

You can “white knuckle it”, grind and FIO until you get the result — or you can lean on the wisdom of someone that has already done what you want to do.

====> Want to learn more about Group or 1-1 Coaching and get results like Blake and the 100’s of other men that have come through HVM? Book a call here.

Whether we work together or not I want to encourage you to pursue your vision with intention, don’t just set goals.

Become an operator, create clarity and develop a mission.

Do what needs to be done and create the life that others can follow.

You got this.

E

PS… It’s my Vision to help build 10,000 High Value Men just like Blake that are leading impacting and serving a greater mission. The mission, strategy, tactics and methods are what makes up The High Value Man Coaching process and we’ve served nearly 500 men over the last 3 years, if you have it on your heart to do something greater in your Faith, Fitness, Family or Finances — I’d love to help you. Book a call with me, lets connect.