Unleash the Warrior Within: Develop the Focus, Discipline, Confidence, and Courage You Need to Achieve Unlimited Goals [Paperback]

Richard J. Machowicz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 2008

A ten-year navy seal veteran, Richard “Mack” Machowicz was trained to complete every mission assigned to him, under any condition, because failure was not an option. Drawing from this experience, Unleash the Warrior Within (more than 25,000 copies since 2002, largely through word-of-mouth) offers Mack’s original program for mastering the arts of focus, discipline, and determination under any circumstances. In this newly revised edition, Mack shows readers how to use his seven principles of combat—such as Create an Action Mind-Set, The Critical Keys to Conquering Anything, and Guarantee the Win—in order to conquer fear and turn ambitions and dreams into reality.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

War is hell, but if you prepare properly for war, there's not much about life that will take you by surprise. At least, that's the premise of Unleashing the Warrior Within, in which author Richard Machowicz takes the lessons he learned as a Navy SEAL and applies them to real-life situations.

For example, in war you learn that there are three dynamic elements of combat: target, weapons, and movement. The target dictates the weapons, and the weapons dictate movement. In real life, your target is what you want; your weapons are your skills; and movement is whatever you need to get in position to use your skills.

But, since deciding upon a target is the step that's most troubling to people, he adds another wartime analytical tool called the CARVER matrix. You lay out various targets you may have in life--a better job; getting in shape; buying a new house; and taking on a new business partner, say. Then you assess the criticality, accessibility, recognizability, and vulnerability of the target, plus its effect on your overall mission in life, and the potential return on your effort.

Machowicz calls his philosophy Bukido, and when you take his classes in Los Angeles, you learn self-defense along with these life-improvement skills. In this book, the object is to get you to choose a mission that is closest and most important to you, and then achieve your goals with military precision. By the time you're through learning the seven principles of combat, what you've really learned is how to think critically and focus your efforts. Machowicz uses his students as examples of how the enemy in life is really a lack of action, allowing life to take you along for a ride. So if your current target is a solid self-improvement course, Unleashing the Warrior Within could be your most effective weapon. --Lou Schuler --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Machowicz, founder of the Bukido Training System, a self-protection program, offers his insights on taking charge of one's life, conquering fears and achieving goals. Based in part on his decade-long career as a Navy Seal, Machowicz urges readers to break down their fears into components as the first step toward overcoming worries. After laying out what he calls the "Three Dynamic Elements of Combat" ("The target dictates the weapons and the weapons dictate the movement" one chooses to reach one's goal.), he shows how readers can respond to their fears. In his "Fear Crusher" exercise, he encourages his readers to recall a moment of pride, repeat a motivating phrase, focus on the future and move forward when faced with a terrifying situation. While Machowicz's approach is generally sound, his combat experiences are far afield from the fears and anxieties related to relationships and jobs that most readers must confront. Still, those who have unsuccessfully tried to take charge of their lives may find that his potent prose and no-nonsense approach will motivate them to begin to behave differently, even if they don't conquer all their fears. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books; Revised edition (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738212482
• ISBN-13: 978-0738212487
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #364,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

157 of 163 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Judge This Book By Its Cover, September 3, 2000

By 

Dominique Morrow (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unleashing the Warrior Within: Using the 7 Principles of Combat to Achieve Your Goals (Hardcover)

The intensely focused, macho like posture of the author on the cover of this book may likely suggest to the casual browser, that this book is about combat or martial arts (the author is an ex-Navy Seal). It may lead one to judge it was written for those that want to learn how to better kick butts, cultivate an intimidating attitude or be trained in how to become an action star. Actually it could help kick butts (figuratively speaking).

As the subscript to the title suggest, it is about using "the principles (seven of them)of combat to achieve your goals." The axiom, which states that to accomplish most things in life one must set goals, create a plan, then follow through, will probably not be news to most readers. There exist myriads of materials and advisers prepared to guide us onto bigger and better things.

In this reviewer's opinion, what makes this book different is its focus on the details about how to accomplish one chosen goals. It never patronizes us with lectures about self improvement. As Machowicz points out, the SEALs spared no expense acquiring the best training available on the planet. When carrying out a mission, they simply do not have the option of failure from a preventable mistake or lack of focus. This technology can easily be translated and applied by us civilians in our everyday quest to accomplish the things we want.

Feeling overwhelmed, not sure what you should do next? There's help in getting started through a priority exercise called CARVER. You would begin by listing all of the things on your plate and analyze what you have based on six factors using a scoring method. This would help identify and set up targets, the things in your life which are the most critical, important, and feasible for you to accomplish. This little exercise assists one in getting one focused. It may also bring out awareness that some things are less important than originally thought. There are chapters on dealing with one's own fears (the SEALS aren't exempt), the role of information, practice and attitude. Again, Machowicz's target always seems to be on turning information into practical exercises.

There is a fascinating description of an actual SEALs mission during which each recommended principle is described as it applies "in the moment" while the story unfolds.

This book is recommended to anyone who wants to become highly skilled and proficient in the art of mastering the technology of achievement. It has earned a valued place in my library.

93 of 98 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great even for a pacifist!!, July 13, 2003

By 

Barbara B. (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unleashing the Warrior Within: Using the 7 Principles of Combat to Achieve Your Goals (Hardcover)

I'm a middle aged woman whose biggest battle in life has been with my weight. I don't care for the testosterone-laden metaphors for business and life, and have little interest in martial arts. Yet this has to be one of the most powerful and helpful books I've read in a long time.

MACHOwicz (can you believe that name!!!) fills the book with very practical steps on how to identify the "targets" in your business and life, and how to approach them with the mindset of a Navy Seal. I did that and have accomplished more in the past two months than I have in the last couple of years put together.

The only weakness in the book is that some of the analogies to military action are difficult to apply to non-military "targets" and I wish he had given a few more examples, particularly of the CARVER procedure.

Still, that's such a minor complaint that I couldn't bring myself to lower the rating by even one point.

By the way, if you like this kind of book, check out Michael Janke's "Take Control" and "Power Living." Janke is also an ex-Navy Seal and his books are written in the same vein.

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Effective, August 9, 2006

By 

Dennis G. Stephens "Den" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unleash the Warrior Within: Develop the Focus, Discipline, Confidence and Courage You Need to Achieve Unlimited Goals (Paperback)

I have to admit, I never expected much from this book. I bought it on a whim because it was cheap and because I like military stuff. Then I read it, and I was amazed at just how useful it has been. Machowicz doesn't waste a lot of time telling you WHY to go after goals in your life. He leaves that up to you to decide. He just gives you combat-tested tools and strategies for HOW to do it. And if you think the combat metaphor is silly, don't. The mental process of overcoming obstacles in civilian life is really not that different from that of military personnel overcoming their obstacles. Most civilians just don't apply their minds in the same way elite soldiers do. In this book, Machowicz shows you that way.

I applied the strategies in this book to the task of finding a new job. I approached it in the same way a Navy SEAL would, with rigorous research, careful planning, and preparation. When it came time for the interview, I had no fear, I was prepared in every possible way, and my performance was nearly perfect. When it was over, I never second-guessed myself because I knew I had mastered the interview. I conquered a second interview with the same level of preparation, and was offered the job a week later. Now I make substantially more money, in a position with much greater prestige and potential than I had before.

I achieved my new position because I used the tools and strategies in this book, and I continue to use them every day. I used a CARVER grid to prioritize my tasks for today. I'm spending time preparing for a meeting so I'm 110% ready when I get up to speak. I'm devoting blocks of time to training in the software I use rather than learning it "on the fly". By approaching work in this way, I feel like I'm at the top of my game because, well, I AM at the top of my game.

So the long and short of it is, this book is much, much more than a feel-good rah-rah you-can-do-it cheerleading manual. It doesn't claim to cure you of any problems. There are no miracles here. But if there's a goal that you want to kick the [...] out of, Richard Machowicz will show you how to get it done.