THE EVERYDAY WARRIOR

Sarraille offers a self-help guide to achievement in this nonfiction work.

“Despite our best intentions, the circumstances of life often derail us from our goals,” writes the author in the introduction to this latest entry in the group of books written by veterans of elite military units offering leadership lessons, inspiration, and life advice for civilians. Sarraille, a former United States Navy SEAL–turned–businessman and host of the podcast that shares the book’s title, asserts that “very few people are fortunate enough to have been taught the framework or to have developed the discipline required to remain focused when times get tough.” The author builds such a framework around 11 familiar life principles: Develop a “warrior mindset,” embrace failure, advance one step at a time, strive for balance, know thyself, reject victimhood, take action, accept discomfort, be disciplined and accountable, find your tribe, and, finally, take time to rest and reflect. Each chapter opens with an inspirational epigraph and the brief story of a role model who exemplifies its key principle by overcoming obstacles to reach success, concluding with a “structured writing and reflection exercise” (called an “After Action Review”) and a list of key takeaways. The precepts are solid and enduring; “know thyself” goes back to ancient Greece, and scientific research strongly supports the value of developing strong personal relationships and spending time in nature. Few would argue with such straightforward sentiments as “success is rarely a straight line,” “let go of negativity and embrace optimism,” and “life isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about experiencing joy and being present in the moment.” Sarraille notably emphasizes the importance of mental wellness, asking for help when you need it, and prioritizing rest and reflection.

Although he acknowledges life’s struggles, challenges, and discomforts, the author’s clear and conversational prose makes implementing his ideas seem easy. He advocates making a habit of journaling and meditating for five to 10 minutes at the beginning and end of the day as well as spending just 10 to 30 minutes reading or listening to podcasts. While these are useful practices, it’s questionable to claim that such brief sessions will truly “expand your mind” or “provide a new perspective on life.” He also strongly disparages social media and its “keyboard cowards” and devotes an entire chapter to “fighting the epidemic of victimhood,” which he asserts “runs rampant” and is “spreading like a virus.” Current politics intrude briefly when the author criticizes “wokeism, a radical ideology.” Throughout the text, the phrase at ais styled “ATTA,” appearing more than 30 times without explanation (in fact, ATTA is a “purpose-driven apparel line and lifestyle community” launched by the author in 2022). Ultimately, this guide will appeal to those who aren’t already familiar with the self-help genre and want a serviceable guide to time-tested life practices. Readers who are well versed in self-improvement and personal productivity philosophies will find little new here.

A compact guide to well-known self-improvement principles and practices.