What's Your Mission?

Failure

In January 1999, while I was the XO, Second in Command, of the 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, I was called in from a field operation by the 11th Marines' Commander, Colonel Ed Lesnowicz, my boss's boss. Ed had already told me he would assign me as the 11th Marines Operations Officer, COO. So, when Ed told me I had failed selection for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, it rocked my world. I felt betrayed by the organization I loved. I felt like I had failed my wife, family, and myself. Ed had already told the assignment officer at Headquarters to "F*&# off. Tom will be my OpsO, and I will see him promoted to lieutenant colonel." So, he had bought me a year.

The Brutal Two Years

The following two years would be a rollercoaster of emotions because I got passed a second time. According to my wife, it was the most brutal two years of our lives. I researched other jobs, considered resigning from my active commission, and getting a jump start on a civilian career. Somewhere around P1+6 weeks on one of my long runs down Pulgas Road at Camp Pendleton, I realized that I had a mission more significant than being a Marine, and I had been doing it well.

Figuring Out My Why

I liked being a Marine; no, I loved being a Marine! I loved it because "why"? What made me want to stay a Marine? What if I couldn't? What would be my purpose? I drafted a personal mission statement: To help people become more productive and effective professionally, personally, and financially. I will help people grow spiritually, intellectually, and physically. I had been doing this since 1989, but now I was focused. My unifying principles and goals were intact and aligned. One of those short-term goals was to fight for my promotion, and with the help of many great leaders, that happened and many more great opportunities to lead and fight alongside Marines.

The Mission Continues

This story isn't over because life doesn't quit challenging us. After I retired from active service, it took me five years to realize that I needed some refinement. The jobs I'd had weren't fulfilling. While writing a book for my daughter, I reconsidered my mission. My mission was sound, but it wasn't my focus. I refined my mission and purpose, quit my job, and started my own business: To help leaders and organizations improve their performance and success personally, professionally, spiritually, and physically to build leaders of consequence to serve our Nation, its Churches, families, communities, and businesses. My wife asked me how long I would do this business; I responded, "Forever, it's my mission and purpose." What's yours?

Remember, "All things are possible through prayer and heavy deadlifts." ™

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