What separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest isn't always what you'd expect. After 11.5 years in the Navy, I discovered that the same disciplines that make an effective sailor can build a seven-figure business.
The foundation of my success started with something surprisingly basic: showing up early. While it seems simple, consistently arriving before everyone else set me apart in every workplace. This reliability created opportunities others never saw. Employers could count on me, which led to greater trust and responsibility. The military taught me that mastering fundamentals creates the platform for tackling bigger challenges.
Another game-changing lesson was giving 100% effort to tasks I hated. The Navy frequently demanded performing unpleasant duties for extended periods in challenging conditions. This built mental toughness that transferred perfectly to entrepreneurship. Behind every "sexy" business success are countless unglamorous tasks—following up with clients, writing SOPs, packaging products—that actually drive results. The willingness to embrace these difficult parts with full commitment creates a competitive advantage few possess.
Perhaps most valuable was learning that complaining makes you weak. When faced with unfair situations, effective leaders take ownership and find solutions rather than wasting energy on complaints. This mindset shift grants you autonomy to change your circumstances instead of waiting for others to fix your problems. Organizations value team members who embrace challenges without negativity, which repeatedly accelerated my advancement.
The strategic approach that transformed my career was working 10X harder than everyone else for a concentrated period. By taking every opportunity, working weekends, and mastering skills through volume during my first few months in new positions, I established a reputation that continued paying dividends long after. This strategy propelled me from door-knocking to leadership positions with dramatically increased income—ultimately enabling me to launch my own successful water treatment company.
Want to build something remarkable? Start with these military-tested principles. They're not flashy, but they work. Follow along as I share more practical wisdom from my journey from service member to successful entrepreneur.
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LinkedIn: Justin Shoemaker
Feb 6 202647 min