The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Default Aggressive

General George Patton famously said, “Lead me, follow me, or get out of the way.” The only thing more significant than Patton’s 6’2″ frame was his reputation. One may debate his social skills and tactics, but no one will ever dispute his tenacity and desire to win in battle. His methods made hardened soldiers who were hungry to win the battles that mattered. He was, as some say in the military, “default aggressive.” You and I may not be running down bad guys in some remote Afghan village, and we may never command a brigade of tanks down a highway in Iraq, but we can take this one principle and apply it to faith, family, fitness, finances, and friendships. Being default aggressive means that we don’t think and talk without acting. Default aggressive behaviors help a man to see distractions and avoid them because the path to reaching that goal is not within that opportunity. Being default aggressive means, we will not stall out. We position ourselves to be men of action. The action may be having a hard conversation, seeing the counselor, or making that career decision (or a million other things).

Reactive behaviors mean you can’t live with vision, and it always costs you more. The waves of circumstances carry you further and further out to sea. You drift from your role as a man and tire out quickly when you realize the riptide is stronger than you. Proactive behaviors take less time, cause less heartache, and save money. Being aggressive doesn’t mean always looking for a fight or bullying to get your way. It doesn’t mean you stop listening before deciding the right path to take, and further, it doesn’t mean you can run over people because they aren’t operating at your pace.

Metaphorically speaking, you will have to have your laces tight, and your feet must be on the ready so you can do the things you need to do. Being default aggressive means, you live your life instead of allowing others to dictate your life. It’s being ready to take hold of those goals in the 5 F’s. (Check Out Our 5F Action Plan!) Being default aggressive means you are prepared to set goals and are so focused on those goals to allow unhealthy distractions.

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