I have always had a passion for reading military books, particularly those that dive into the world of special forces. There is something about the personal stories from the battlefield-stories of grit, determination, and adaptability-that really resonates with me. I often find that the lessons these brave soldiers learn in the most intense and challenging situations can be incredibly impactful when facing the everyday obstacles life throws our way. The discipline, focus, and perseverance they demonstrate serve as a constant reminder of what it takes to overcome adversity.

You may be asking yourself, “What in the heck does this possibly have to do with the window cleaning industry?” Hang with me for a moment as I share “Lessons That Can Change Your Life” by retired Navy SEAL William H McRaven. These lessons I have personally found very impactful in pursuing any endeavors in life and can lead to continued success within our industry.

1. Start Your Day with a Task Complete

McRaven emphasizes the significance of beginning each day by accomplishing a small task. It starts your day with an accomplishment and sets a positive tone, giving you a small but tangible victory that can serve as a foundation for productivity and motivation throughout the day. Completion of a simple task can have a ripple effect, inspiring you to tackle bigger challenges and approach them with a similar mindset of determination and attention to detail.

Completing an early task, like prepping equipment or finishing the first job, sets the tone for a productive day. It builds momentum, boosts confidence, and ensures efficiency, allowing you to tackle challenges with a sense of accomplishment and focus on providing quality service to every customer.

1. You Can’t Go At It Alone

Success often requires the support and collaboration of others. Success is often not achieved in isolation but through the collective efforts of a team and by building strong relationships, fostering a sense of camaraderie, and recognizing the value of working together towards a common goal. Individuals should be willing to ask for help when needed and provide support to others when they require it.

Success relies not only on your skills but also on teamwork, strong customer relationships, and trusted partnerships. Whether it’s collaborating with your crew, learning from industry peers, or building rapport with clients, growth and efficiency come from working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another.

1. Only the Size of Your Heart Matter

This statement emphasizes the importance of character, resilience, and compassion over external factors such as physical strength or abilities. True success and impact in life are determined by the size of one’s heart, referring to qualities such as kindness, empathy, integrity, and perseverance.

Individuals with a strong sense of purpose, determination, and compassion are better equipped to overcome challenges and make a positive difference.

This means that dedication, passion, and a commitment to excellence are what truly drive success. It’s not about the size of the business or the resources at hand, but the heart you put into delivering quality service, building customer trust, and facing challenges with determination. A big heart leads to strong relationships, repeat clients, and a business that thrives on integrity and care.

1. Get Over Being a Sugar Cookie

For this life lesson, McRaven is referring to the idea of embracing failure and learning from it. In Navy SEAL training, there is a particularly challenging task called the “sugar cookie” where trainees are intentionally covered in sand and forced to continue their training. The term “sugar cookie” symbolizes the feeling of being uncomfortable, gritty, and coated with failure.

McRaven advises to overcome the fear of failure and not let setbacks define your journey. He encourages embracing failures as learning opportunities and using them to grow stronger and more resilient.

Things won’t always go your way, which is crucial in the window cleaning industry. Whether it’s dealing with bad weather, difficult clients, staffing issues, or unexpected setbacks, challenges are inevitable. Instead of dwelling on frustrations, success comes from pushing through, staying resilient, and focusing on the bigger picture. It’s about not letting minor setbacks affect your drive to keep moving forward and delivering quality service.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of the Circus

Embrace the challenges and difficult tasks in life and face them head-on with courage and a positive mindset. Work can be chaotic and unpredictable, filled with unexpected obstacles, setbacks, and uncertainties. By confronting these challenges, we develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Be prepared to embrace chaos and challenges in running a window cleaning company. Unexpected problems, tight schedules, or demanding jobs are part of the business, but instead of fearing the pressure, you learn to adapt and thrive in it. Facing these challenges head-on helps you grow stronger, build resilience, and improve your business operations, turning difficult situations into opportunities for success.

1. Slide Down the Obstacle Head First

Take risks, embrace new experiences, and approach obstacles with a sense of boldness and determination. McRaven encourages people to step out of their comfort zone-”like for example, speaking in front of a large audience”- and venture into unfamiliar territory. Try different strategies or take unconventional paths. By embracing this mindset, individuals can overcome fear, discover new possibilities, and tap into their full potential.

In the window cleaning industry, it’s important to not become complacent. There are always new innovative products, marketing strategies to enhance your business, and opportunities. Try a new squeegee, waterfed brush, or cleaning technique. Instead of hesitating or avoiding something that is out of your usual routine or comfort zone, embrace the change.

1. Don’t Back Down from the Sharks

In this life lesson, McRaven stresses the importance of facing fears and standing up to intimidating challenges or individuals. We all face difficult situations or people that may try to intimidate or discourage us from pursuing our goals. Confront them with courage, resilience, and unwavering determination. By facing the “sharks” head-on, we develop the confidence and fortitude necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve our objectives.

It’s extremely important to stand firm in the face of tough competition or challenging situations withing the window cleaning industry. It’s about maintaining confidence and resilience when faced with aggressive competitors, demanding clients, a disgruntled team member, or other difficult circumstances. By facing these “sharks” head-on and staying committed to your standards and goals, you reinforce your position within the market and demonstrate your strength and reliability.

1. Be Your Very Best in Your Darkest Moments

Maintaining a positive mindset even during the most challenging times shapes your experience. Our true character is revealed when we face adversity and confront our challenges. Not succumb to negativity but to rise above difficult circumstances by displaying courage, integrity, and a commitment to doing our best.

There’s great importance of maintaining high standards and resilience in the window cleaning business. Showing your best effort and commitment under pressure can strengthen your reputation, inspire your team, and ensure long-term success. It’s about turning adversity into an opportunity to demonstrate your dedication and excellence.

1. Don’t Ever, Ever Ring the Bell

In Navy SEAL training, there is a brass bell that trainees can ring to signify their decision to quit and leave the program. By embracing the mantra of “Don’t ever, ever ring the bell,” individuals can achieve their goals, overcome challenges, commit to their dreams, and ultimately lead a fulfilling and successful life and career.

This one is simple. Never give up, regardless of the potential setbacks you may face in running your business. Whether it’s dealing with difficult customers or employees, handling tough jobs, or facing operational issues, perseverance is key. By staying committed and pushing through obstacles, you ensure continuous improvement and long-term success, demonstrating your unwavering dedication and resilience in the business.

As you can see, these lessons are about our collective support, belief in ourselves and the power of community. I wish you all well on your window cleaning journey. We value your business at Detroit Sponge and are committed to building even stronger relationships in the future. Here’s to our shared success and the opportunities ahead.


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