12-05-2025
5 Navy SEAL strategies to turn stress into success in any situation
Rich Diviney spent 21 years as a Navy SEAL, leading and operating on missions around the globe. In that time, he completed multiple combat deployments and had the honor of serving as the Commanding Officer of a SEAL Command. One of his most pivotal roles was running a specialized Selection and Assessment program for one of the most elite SEAL units. He also spearheaded the SEALs' 'Mind Gym' to train soldiers' minds to perform better under stress. Today, he teaches optimal performance to thousands of business, athletic, and military leaders.
What's the big idea?
What makes someone able to thrive in conditions of extreme stress, challenge, and uncertainty? Why do some people falter when the pressure rises, while others step forward with clarity and strength? High performance under pressure isn't limited to Navy SEALs. It's not about being fearless or superhuman. It's about tapping into human capabilities that we all possess—capabilities that can be trained, honed, and applied in any environment.
Below, Rich shares five key insights from his new book, Masters of Uncertainty: The Navy SEAL Way to Turn Stress into Success for You and Your Team. Listen to the audio version—read by Rich himself—in the Next Big Idea App.
1. Uncertainty is the only certainty
On May 2, 2011, a SEAL team launched one of the most daring missions in modern history: the operation to capture or kill Osama bin Laden. They trained relentlessly. They built a replica of the compound. They rehearsed every move, down to the second.
The moment they got on target, everything changed. One of the helicopters crashed. Timelines shifted. Entry points failed. All that preparation didn't mean much—unless they could adapt.
That mission succeeded not because they had a perfect plan, but because they knew how to perform inside the chaos. That's what Masters of Uncertainty is about.
Peak performance is a myth. It depends on perfect conditions, and life is rarely perfect. What matters more is optimal performance: showing up with the best you have in that moment, no matter what that best looks like.
