Unleashing the Warrior Within: Using the 7 Principles of Combat to Achieve Your Goals

by Richard J. Machowicz

Book Overview

As a Navy SEAL, Richard Machowicz knows about mental and physical toughness. From enduring Arctic cold with a 90-pound backpack to plummeting through the sky with a malfunctioning parachute, he's had... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786865695
• ISBN13: 9780786865697
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Hyperion Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly Effective

I have to admit, I never expected much from this book. I bought it on a whim because it was cheap and because I like military stuff. Then I read it, and I was amazed at just how useful it has been. Machowicz doesn't waste a lot of time telling you WHY to go after goals in your life. He leaves that up to you to decide. He just gives you combat-tested tools and strategies for HOW to do it. And if you think the combat metaphor is silly, don't. The mental process of overcoming obstacles in civilian life is really not that different from that of military personnel overcoming their obstacles. Most civilians just don't apply their minds in the same way elite soldiers do. In this book, Machowicz shows you that way. I applied the strategies in this book to the task of finding a new job. I approached it in the same way a Navy SEAL would, with rigorous research, careful planning, and preparation. When it came time for the interview, I had no fear, I was prepared in every possible way, and my performance was nearly perfect. When it was over, I never second-guessed myself because I knew I had mastered the interview. I conquered a second interview with the same level of preparation, and was offered the job a week later. Now I make substantially more money, in a position with much greater prestige and potential than I had before. I achieved my new position because I used the tools and strategies in this book, and I continue to use them every day. I used a CARVER grid to prioritize my tasks for today. I'm spending time preparing for a meeting so I'm 110% ready when I get up to speak. I'm devoting blocks of time to training in the software I use rather than learning it "on the fly". By approaching work in this way, I feel like I'm at the top of my game because, well, I AM at the top of my game. So the long and short of it is, this book is much, much more than a feel-good rah-rah you-can-do-it cheerleading manual. It doesn't claim to cure you of any problems. There are no miracles here. But if there's a goal that you want to kick the [...] out of, Richard Machowicz will show you how to get it done.

A rare find.

This is one of a very few books I have read in one sitting. As someone who has read all the self-help books I can get my hands on, I had identified self-discipline, organization, and a plan of action as lacking in my efforts to achieve my goals.This book addresses all of concerns, as though it were written especially for me. I can't thank the author enough for the additional tools he has given me to achieve my goals. Only 189 pages, but the author has made each one count. Easily one of the 5 favorites in my library of over 1,000 books.

Great even for a pacifist!!

I'm a middle aged woman whose biggest battle in life has been with my weight. I don't care for the testosterone-laden metaphors for business and life, and have little interest in martial arts. Yet this has to be one of the most powerful and helpful books I've read in a long time.MACHOwicz (can you believe that name!!!) fills the book with very practical steps on how to identify the "targets" in your business and life, and how to approach them with the mindset of a Navy Seal. I did that and have accomplished more in the past two months than I have in the last couple of years put together. The only weakness in the book is that some of the analogies to military action are difficult to apply to non-military "targets" and I wish he had given a few more examples, particularly of the CARVER procedure. Still, that's such a minor complaint that I couldn't bring myself to lower the rating by even one point.By the way, if you like this kind of book, check out Michael Janke's "Take Control" and "Power Living." Janke is also an ex-Navy Seal and his books are written in the same vein.

Don't Judge This Book By Its Cover

The intensely focused, macho like posture of the author on the cover of this book may likely suggest to the casual browser, that this book is about combat or martial arts (the author is an ex-Navy Seal). It may lead one to judge it was written for those that want to learn how to better kick butts, cultivate an intimidating attitude or be trained in how to become an action star. Actually it could help kick butts (figuratively speaking).As the subscript to the title suggest, it is about using "the principles (seven of them)of combat to achieve your goals." The axiom, which states that to accomplish most things in life one must set goals, create a plan, then follow through, will probably not be news to most readers. There exist myriads of materials and advisers prepared to guide us onto bigger and better things. In this reviewer's opinion, what makes this book different is its focus on the details about how to accomplish one chosen goals. It never patronizes us with lectures about self improvement. As Machowicz points out, the SEALs spared no expense acquiring the best training available on the planet. When carrying out a mission, they simply do not have the option of failure from a preventable mistake or lack of focus. This technology can easily be translated and applied by us civilians in our everyday quest to accomplish the things we want. Feeling overwhelmed, not sure what you should do next? There's help in getting started through a priority exercise called CARVER. You would begin by listing all of the things on your plate and analyze what you have based on six factors using a scoring method. This would help identify and set up targets, the things in your life which are the most critical, important, and feasible for you to accomplish. This little exercise assists one in getting one focused. It may also bring out awareness that some things are less important than originally thought. There are chapters on dealing with one's own fears (the SEALS aren't exempt), the role of information, practice and attitude. Again, Machowicz's target always seems to be on turning information into practical exercises.There is a fascinating description of an actual SEALs mission during which each recommended principle is described as it applies "in the moment" while the story unfolds. This book is recommended to anyone who wants to become highly skilled and proficient in the art of mastering the technology of achievement. It has earned a valued place in my library.

If you're happy living a mediocre life, don't even waste

your money on this book. If on the other hand, you have a desire to go beyond the ordinary, you would have a hard time NOT gaining some valuable insights and motivation for achieving your goals from reading this book.I have trained in Bukido with Richard as a student for over a year, and without sounding like some fawning admirer, I can say it has changed my life. I run a small business and lead a fairly balanced life that, by most peoples standards, would be considered very successful and fulfilling, but the principles of Bukido, which are the basis of this book, have enabled me to propel myself to much higher levels."Unleashing the Warrior Within" lays out the principles of goal achievement and the impediments to goal achievement with a profound simplicity and clarity I have not seen anywhere else. His principles are simple yet powerful and while rarely 'easy' (big difference between simple and easy) are extremely effective. Just last week while reading the chapter 'Crush the Enemy Called Fear', I thought to myself 'I've got to call that VP of Marketing get his business - ok I'll do it after I finish this chapter'. And I realized it wasn't about not knowing what to do, but about handling my fear. About a paragraph later I thought to myself 'NO, not later, I need to make this call - NOW'. I walked into my office, thought briefly about what I wanted to accomplish with him, picked up the phone and ended up having the VP of Marketing of a 2 billion dollar telecommunications company asking me to send him a proposal to do work with them. Not bad for a ... book.If you are into more than just walking through life, if you are out to achieve some extraordinary things, then you know goal achievement is a process of continual learning, application and reexamination - and there are many steps along the way. Reading "Unleashing the Warrior Within" maybe one of the most important, valuable and rewarding of those steps you can take.