“Plan the Dive, Dive the Plan"

There’s a phrase used by Navy SEALs: “Plan the dive, dive the plan.” I’ve never been in the military, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t lived through some wars—some internal, some emotional, and some that were fought silently with no audience and no medals. And that one phrase? It stuck with me like gospel.

It means this: have a strategy, then execute it with unwavering focus. Simple. But not easy.

I’ve learned that most people struggle not because they don’t have a plan, but because they’re too hurt to follow one. That’s why my first rule—before anything else—is: heal yourself. You can’t “dive the plan” when you’re bleeding emotionally, when your mind is spiraling, or when your past is still the loudest voice in your head.

Healing doesn’t mean perfection. It means honesty. It means having the guts to sit with your pain instead of distracting yourself with the next thing, or the next person, or the next performance of your “okayness.”

And once you start healing? Listen—to you. Not your friends, not your mother, not the noise of the crowd. You. What do you want? What do you actually need? You can’t follow a map if it’s not yours. And too many people are walking through life with someone else’s compass.

You want to change your life? Respect yourself. Respect your time. Stop negotiating your worth. Stop entertaining what drains you. If they don’t see your value—leave. If it’s not aligned—say no. Not everything deserves your yes, and not everyone should have access to you.

And while I’m on the topic: stop letting people tell you you’re “too much.” I’ve heard that my whole life. You know what? Maybe I am. Then go find less. I wasn’t put on this earth to shrink for your comfort.

Every choice I make now—whether it’s hitting the gym, setting boundaries, or turning off my phone—is about one thing: protecting my energy. Because I’ve learned the hard way that not everyone who claps for you actually wants you to win. Pay attention to how people speak about others—it’s a mirror. That same tongue can bless or betray.

Life is short and energy is currency, stop investing in what doesn’t yield peace.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this: you don’t get what you want by waiting. You get it by deciding. And then acting like that decision is non-negotiable.

Plan the dive. Dive the plan.

Make sure it’s your plan—not anyone else’s.