I was opportune to spend some time in a military camp for 21 days. It was mandatory to obey instructions and carry out every activity as decided by the camp commandant.

The early periods of my stay in the camp were hectic and intense; I had zero access to my laptop or any other sophisticated device. My phone, power bank, and wireless headphones were the only gadgets allowed into the vicinity.

Days passed, and I got used to the operations and know-how of the camp. Thanks to a friend of mine who arrived a few days before me, he explained things I did not understand.

After carrying out some meticulous observations of how the military operated, I coined the abbreviation

R: rugged O: ordered P: punctual E: excellence

As you read this article, ponder each point, as they could be of benefit to you in various ways and can be applied to various aspects.

Let's discuss each one of them.

R: rugged

Being agile and active on the spot is the order of the day in the military. Each task or activity was carried out with so much intensity, commitment, and urgency. You would always wonder what would happen if they cooled down a bit.

This got me thinking, "In what way can being rugged be of benefit to me?". Then it dawned on me that the intensity you apply to any activity will determine the height of the outcome and the attention you attract. Here's a quote to back this up.

"Command attention by your ruthless action." - Kelvin Omereshone, Lead maintainer of Sails

Being rugged also encapsulates the idea of giving your best to a specific activity and being committed until you are done. You avoid distractions and focus on what you say you will do.

"Commitment is when you do what you say you will do regardless of how you feel." - Inky Johnson

Another point about being rugged is urgency. There is a saying about opportunities: "If you miss an opportunity, another will come find you." I totally agree with this, but here's a question: "The opportunity you missed because you were not urgent enough, do you know how far you would have gone?". This is why being urgent is of the essence.

TLDR: apply intensity, be committed, and be urgent.

O: ordered

Each activity in the camp was carried out one after the other. This ensured that the activities were successful without any portion being left out.

Being ordered is a helpful attribute; it makes each step you take easier to track. I know everyone has their own preference, which is great; you don't have to be ordered every step of the way. However, I suggest you become orderly when it comes to critical matters so you don't lose track of whatever needs to be measured.

Being ordered also relates to being organized. Here is a quote from a chess player

“Chess, like any creative activity, can exist only through the combined efforts of those who have creative talent, and those who have the ability to organize their creative work.” - Mikhail Botvinnik

TLDR: Being ordered makes it easier to track your steps.

P: punctual

Each day, we were forced to get to every point of activity 15 minutes prior to the set time to begin. This ensured that the activities began at the set time and that each camper was present before the start.

Taking productivity into consideration, being punctual allows you to manage your time more efficiently. This way, you can minimize waste and feel less pressured when carrying out a task.

Punctuality also has more benefits when it comes to being in an organization. Consistent punctuality can make you appear organized and professional.

"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late." - William Shakespear

Showing up early also proves your level of respect for the person or reason for being present.

E: excellence

The first day of our parade was a ruckus! disorganized and rough, campers barely understood what they were doing because it was their first time performing such an act. The soldiers were patient but intense in training the campers on how to carry out a successful parade. It went on for hours daily.

On the last day to evacuate the camp, we performed the final parade without the overwatch of the soldiers. It was beautiful; it showed excellence through hard work.

Excellence is something that is necessary when carrying out any activity. However, excellence is not something that comes overnight. Consistent practice—hard work and time—is required in order to achieve excellence.

"Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends." - Brian Tracy

It will also require giving your best to that specific task, regardless of how easy or hard it is. Your goal is to give your best.

Conclusion

Adopting the R.O.P.E. technique is something I have set my mind to after that 21-day experience, and I have seen some results. It is still a work in progress, but it works. Use this technique to improve in any aspect of your choice, and let me know the outcome. Feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me on X; I would love to hear from you.

Until next time...

"Be good at what you do and be honest about it."