5 Life Lessons I Learned as a Military Brat

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This post is written on behalf of Rich Dad but all opinions and military brat memories are my own.

One unique fact about me was that I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. If you ask me why someone born in Hawaii burns as easily as I do in the sun, let me smack you now. (Yes, I have been asked that question more than once!) Born a Navy brat is why I was born in Hawaii. Left when I was six weeks old, so that and my wonderful Irish heritage is why this white girl burns thinking about the  sun. Though, I wasn’t a military brat long I have been a military brat and an Army wife. There’s a lot of life lessons that I learned while my family moved around a lot. There’s a certain culture that goes with being in the military that can really teach some great life lessons.

5 Life Lessons I Learned as a Military Brat

Be Adaptable: As a person, I’ve always HATED change. It goes against my OCD personality. Through moving with my dad’s jobs and my ex-husband’s station assignments, I had to learn to be adaptable. I’ve moved more times than I can count, and that has put me into so many different situations. It was either adapt or be miserable. So, I adapted.

Home is Where You Make It: When you move every few years, you begin to realize that home really isn’t a place. It’s where you make it. Sure there were some places that felt a lot more like home than others, but home quickly became where my loved ones were. It’s something to this day that sticks with me.

Diversity Rocks: Having moved as much as I have, I have learned that diversity is awesome. Wayne and I have actually chosen places to move based on how much diversity is in the area. It’s awesome meeting people that are different than you.

You Are Resilient: Having to move and adapt can feel really awful when you are going through it, but one thing that I learned is that I am resilient. That is probably one of my favorite characteristics. It’s gotten me through so much, and it let’s me know that nothing can hit me that I can’t get through.

Determination and Discipline are Important: Being disciplined enough to have a drive, and the determination to conquer anything are two of the traits I have picked up through the years seeing my family members in the military. There is a huge difference between being rigid and determined, but when you have drive and determination there is no mission you can’t accomplish!

These life lessons are pretty much the key things that helped me take the leap to going into my own business. That’s such a scary venture, but even though it terrified me I always knew I would be successful because I was driven to be so. It’s all about putting your mind in the right head space.

If you need some inspiration, I suggest you take a look at a cool new book for entrepreneurs from Rich Dad. He’s a New York Times Best Selling author, and has a new book out called 8 Lessons in Military Leadership for Entrepreneurs. I found this book to be really inspiring. He’s not only from a military background, but he’s made a living creating his own businesses to support his passion for reaching out and helping others! Here’s a little bit more about the book:

Robert Kiyosaki’s new book 8 Lessons in Military Leadership for Entrepreneurs draws from his years at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and his service in the United Sates Marine Corps. With compelling stories and examples and a engaging way of comparing and contrasting two very different cultures and value systems, Robert shares the challenges he faced in transitioning to civilian life where chain of command and team-over-self—once so black and white—were muddy and distorted. “Permission to speak freely, sir?” Count on it. This is Robert Kiyosaki—and he does just that, in the forthright and no-nonsense style that readers have come to expect and appreciate.

From Robert’s perspective, military training shapes lives and supports entrepreneurship. The training, discipline, and leadership skills taught in the military can be leveraged for huge success in the civilian world of business.

Highlights of 8 Lessons in Leadership include sections on Mission and Team, Discipline, Respect, Authority, Speed, the Power of Connectivity, Leaders as Teachers, Sales and Leadership.

Whether you are former military or not, I really suggest you take a look at the book 8 Lessons in Military Leadership for Entrepreneurs here!