We Are Learning the Wrong Lessons from the Military

Don’t Follow David Goggins, Follow Clausewitz

The military gets idolized for its mindless discipline—think David Goggins, the ex-Navy SEAL whose story pushes millions to grind through pain without question.

Goggins turned his life around through sheer will. He ran ultramarathons on broken legs and made suffering a ritual. It’s intense. But here’s the thing—we’ve taken the wrong lesson from his story.

That kind of discipline makes sense in combat. In regular life, especially in the AI era, rigid habits often backfire. What actually matters now is adaptability.

The real lesson from the military isn’t about enduring pain or following orders. It’s about thinking strategically—like Carl von Clausewitz, the 19th-century Prussian general. Clausewitz’s thinking—seeing the whole system, adjusting to change, anticipating outcomes—is a better fit for today’s world than blind grit.

Let’s look at why strategic thinking beats mindless discipline—and how to use it.

The Limitations of Mindless Discipline

Military discipline often means following orders exactly, sticking to routines, and pushing through discomfort. In war, hesitation can be deadly. But that doesn’t translate to everyday life—especially when AI can now handle most repetitive work.

Take the Charge of the Light Brigade in 1854. British cavalry soldiers, following orders without question, charged headlong into a valley surrounded by Russian artillery. The result? A massacre. Blind obedience cost lives.

Or look at Kodak. They had the tech for digital cameras early on—but stuck to film, betting on what had always worked. Discipline without foresight killed their edge.

Mindless discipline can keep you busy. But without someone steering, you might be heading the wrong way.

The Power of Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking, as taught by Clausewitz, is about stepping back. It's about asking: What’s the real goal here? What’s changing? What could go wrong?

His idea of the “fog of war” captures this. Decisions must be made even when the information isn’t perfect. That’s true in war—and just as true in work and life.

Imagine someone grinding to learn coding or data analysis, just because it's trending. They're putting in the hours. But if they don't know how their skills actually contribute to business outcomes, it’s wasted effort.

Strategic thinkers think from the high level perspective. They focus on doing the right thing, not just doing more.

Applying Strategic Thinking in Everyday Life

You don’t need to be a general or a CEO to think strategically. Anyone can use this mindset. Here’s how it shows up in real life:

Career

Evaluating Job Offers: Don’t just grab the highest salary. Ask what role leads to better opportunities—long-term growth, mentorship, or access to your target industry.

Office Politics: Strategic thinkers read the room. They know who has influence, where to build relationships, and when to speak up. They build power, not just résumés.

Relationships

Spotting Red Flags: Strategy means noticing patterns. If someone’s behavior hints at control or manipulation, you don’t wait. You get clear—and get out if needed.

Resolving Conflicts: Don’t always react. Pause. Ask what the other person really wants. Sometimes the win is in letting the small stuff slide.

Personal Development

Setting Goals: Don’t chase what everyone else is doing. Your goals should match your strengths and your reality. Life changes. So should your plans.

Imagine a manager stuck in a doomed project. The disciplined route is to double down—stay late, push harder. The strategic move? Reassess the approach, reallocate resources, and change the plan.

The point isn’t to work harder. It’s to work smarter.

Why Strategic Thinking Trumps Mindless Discipline

Discipline gets stuff done. Strategy decides what’s worth doing.

Here’s why strategy comes out ahead:

Flexibility vs. Rigidity: Strategic thinkers change course when things shift. Rigid discipline doesn’t. In a world of AI and constant disruption, inflexibility kills momentum.

Purpose Over Persistence: Clausewitz said every action needs a reason. Discipline is about effort. Strategy is about outcomes. Without purpose, discipline is just busyness.

Look at a runner. One runs every day, no matter what. Another trains with intention—plans their pace, rest, and peak performance. When race day comes, the second one wins. Because it's not just about grinding. It's about timing and direction.

Conclusion

Discipline moves you. Strategy moves you in the right direction.

You don’t need to ditch discipline. But it has to serve a plan. Otherwise, it’s just motion without progress.

Here’s how to start thinking strategically:

1. Question Assumptions: Ask why you’re doing what you’re doing. If it’s not tied to your bigger goal, stop.

2. Adapt to Change: Life doesn’t follow scripts. Don’t force things to fit old plans. Update your approach when reality shifts.

3. Plan with Purpose: Every task should push a larger goal forward. If it doesn’t, cut it.

Want to get better at this? Read Clausewitz’s On War. Not for the battle tactics—but to see how great thinkers approach risk, uncertainty, and power.

Or play strategy games like Hearts of Iron or Company of Heros. They train your brain to spot motives, weigh risks, and act with purpose.

Or just reflect on your own choices. What worked? What didn’t? What’s the pattern?

Mindless discipline keeps you busy.

Strategic thinking makes sure it’s worth it.