BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- One of the cool things about being a Deputy Wing Commander is getting to talk with large groups of Airmen and Guardians – FTAC, ALS, NCOA, Foundations courses, CGO mentoring sessions, you name it.
I usually show up with a few notes and try hard to be real. People appreciate realness. They don’t need another “flexibility is the key to airpower” sermon.
From my experience, too many speakers roll in with perfectly polished scripts full of platitudes, tightrope walking, say nothing filler. So, in the spirit of sparing you that, here are eight real talk life lessons I’ve picked up from others along the way.
It’s 2026, the season when everyone reflects, sets goals, and briefly pretends they’re going to become better versions of themselves.
Enjoy.
1. You don’t need more motivation. You need fewer excuses dressed up as self‑care. Lace up your shoes and get going. Four words that will change your life…I do it anyway. No support, I do it anyway. The roads are bad; I do it anyway. The gym’s too crowded; I do it anyway. Bad knees, toxic supervisor, headaches, stress, I’m waiting on…, I need a break… I do it anyway.
2. You don’t need a dream. People on TV love talking about their dreams. For everyone else, I recommend a passionate pursuit of short-term goals. Be micro-ambitious. Put your head down and take pride in whatever is in front of you. You never know where you’ll end up. The next worthy pursuit will likely appear in your periphery, which is why I’m suspicious of long-term dreams. If you stare too far ahead, you’ll miss the shiny opportunity just off to the side.
3. Hyperventilate. Exercise. Play a sport. Lift weights. Run. Take care of your body. You’re going to need it. Most young folks today will live to be 100.
4. Be hard on your opinions. There’s a famous idiom that says opinions are like… well, you know. Everyone has one. There is a lot of wisdom in this, but I’d argue that opinions differ significantly in that they should be routinely and aggressively examined. Think critically, not just about others' beliefs. Identify your biases, your prejudices, your privileges – the things that shape your beliefs. Most of society’s shortcomings stem from an inability to recognize nuance.
5. Define yourself by what you love. Too many people build their identity around what they hate – pumpkin spice, pickleball, whatever. Being “anti‑stuff” is easy. Try being “pro‑stuff.” Express passion for the things you love. It’s a better way to live.
6. Your feelings are your responsibility. It’s not the world’s obligation to tiptoe around you. The world is not a curated safe space. It’s loud, messy, inconvenient, and full of people who don’t care about your inner monologue. That’s not cruelty, that’s reality. So, learn to work through what sets you off, because the world isn’t going to rearrange itself every time something bothers you – #justsaying.
7. Look up! Look people in the eye. Half of communication is confidence, and the other half is not staring at your shoes as if they owe you money. Screens have trained us to live life at a 45‑degree downward angle. Pick your head up. The world is happening above your thumbs. And if you want people to listen to you, you need to get more assertive or more attractive. Those are your options – but either way, it starts with looking up.
8. The world is your oyster…if you fight for it. In The Merry Wives of Windsor, Pistol says, “Why then, the world’s mine oyster… which I with sword will open.” Everyone remembers the oyster; no one talks about the sword. Opportunities don’t knock. They don’t slide into your DMs. If you want something, expect to pry it open with effort, sweat, and the emotional equivalent of a sword. Nothing arrives pre‑shucked.
Best of luck, Team Buckley. Have an awesome 2026 – may your goals last longer than your holiday cookies!