Rethinking Life’s Missions: Lessons from *The Operator*

I’m currently reading an incredible, thought-provoking, and deeply inspiring book by Robert O’Neill titled The Operator. It’s the firsthand account of the former Navy SEAL who was part of SEAL Team Six and played a pivotal role in the mission to eliminate the most wanted criminal on Earth: Osama bin Laden.

One of the most impactful sections for me was his vivid retelling of BUD/S training—Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL. It’s more than just brutal physical training; it’s a mental crucible. The sheer resilience required to endure hellish conditions isn’t just about toughness—it’s about training the mind not to panic, not to project into the future, but to survive and succeed in the moment. Don’t think about tomorrow—just get through the task right in front of you. That line alone hit me like a freight train.

It made me rethink how I approach my own mental health. Depression is real and it’s debilitating, but I’ve realized that it thrives on our fears of what’s to come. Most of us get trapped in a cycle—responding to hardship by shutting down or spiraling into complaint. But I just can’t live like that anymore. There’s too much on the line. I’ve started to shift my perspective: shut up, breathe, smile, and know I’ll make it through. Nothing and no one will remove me from my path—not unless I let them.

What’s remarkable about The Operator is how much it emphasizes the Navy’s core values—not just of courage, but of preparation. You train. Then you train again. And again. Until the mission becomes muscle memory. And honestly? That’s how I want to live. I want to approach life with the same discipline, repetition, and purpose. Sure, not everyone resonates with that kind of mindset—and I respect however you lace up your shoes in the morning. But for me? This is how I fight.

If you’re looking for a read that’ll push your mind and spirit to confront your limits, I highly recommend giving The Operator by Robert O’Neill a place on your shelf.