[May 18, 2026] There’s an old U.S. Army Engineer motto “Essayons” which means “Let us Try.” Put into different words it could have said that Engineers accept any challenge. The core idea is social, moral, and personal; grow and protect your family and community, and foster your own development.
The idea is ancient. Roman stoic philosopher Seneca once said that “No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.” Well said and the point that should not be lost. Those who do, thrive. Those who sit, die.
“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Accepting the challenge creates a growth mindset. Those challenges build ability; accepting them fosters development vs. fixed mindset avoidance. For example, the good mother is the one who pushes her children out into the world, knowing full well that they will be hurt and even killed.
She knows that her children cannot become strong without an ability to voluntarily accept challenges that the outside world provides. Her children develop self-efficacy, boosting confidence through the mastery of experiences, while refusal signals doubt.
Accepting challenges cultivates grit and determination, forging resilience. It trains stress tolerance and strengthens recovery from failure. It trains commitment, public acceptance, creates the conditions of accountability, and reduces the tendency to procrastination.
Accepting challenges transforms potential into proven strength, echoing ancient wisdom and modern insight alike. Step forward boldly and build a life defined by resilience, growth, and victory.
Embrace every challenge with the spirit of “Essayons.” Doing so forges stronger individuals, families, and communities that thrive through adversity rather than shrink from it. Accept the challenge, prove yourself.
————
Please read my books:
Great article by Gen. Satterfield on accepting challenges. “Let us try” rings true for real growth. Adversity builds resilience and grit. Avoiding trials leads to weakness. Push forward with determination. Families and communities strengthen through it. Seneca’s wisdom still applies today. Faith and perseverance go hand in hand. Embrace the struggle boldly. Prove yourself daily. And that advice by Gen. S is superb. Maybe this idea to always “accept the challenge” should be one of his “rules for a good life”. Just me thinking.
Right, Wesley, Gen. Satterfield has been on a roll lately as he gives us more “rules” that are best if we follow them. As you noted, this is not listed as a rule but it is in my book. Accept the challenge. Humans are not made for relaxing, drinking beer on the beach (although that is fun). We are made for a challenge, so to strive for a challenge is what keeps us going. I haven’t posted in a couple of months because I’ve been building my house for my family (wife and 3 kids). That was a difficult task, to have a fulltime job, a family to care for and be with, and to build a house with my own hands (except the concrete pour). I can say that it is also the best time of my life. Try that sometime. Get yourself something new and very hard to do, accept the full responsibility for it, do it. At least try. That is the way we do things.
Well done, Harriman. Keep it up. Respect for you.
🙏 As Gen. Satterfield often says, the Bible is the most brilliant document ever written, no one is even close. Here is an example that he quotes here. “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2-4 (NIV) 🙏
I liked this article by Gen. Satterfield about accepting challenges. He says we should try hard like Army engineers with “Essayons.” Facing tough times helps us grow stronger. Avoiding problems makes us weak and unhappy. The Bible quote reminds us trials build perseverance. Good parents push kids to face the world. This builds grit and confidence. Everyone should step up and prove themselves.
This is what humans are built for … the struggle. 🫡
Well, old Army Engineer “Essayons” hits the nail on the head—let’s try, or let’s quit whining. In this snowflake era of safe spaces, real conservatives know adversity isn’t optional; it’s the forge that tempers steel. Seneca nailed it: dodge hardship and you’re just a fancy couch potato, unhappy and unproven. Pushing kids into the world? That’s not cruelty, that’s love—unlike today’s helicopter parents raising fragile wards of the state. Grit beats government handouts every time; trials build men, not entitlements. Bible’s spot on too—count it joy, because perseverance turns boys into leaders, not victims. Avoid challenges and watch your community rot in mediocrity, just like big-government experiments always do. Me? I’d rather fail spectacularly than succeed at nothing, thank you.
This article’s a refreshing gut punch against the cult of comfort. Conservatives thrive by embracing the suck; liberals sue it. So saddle up, folks—Essayons, and let’s make America gritty again.
😁 Great comment Cowboy Bob. 😁
I agree with Gen. Satterfield’s article’s call to embrace challenges. “Essayons” inspires action and growth. Adversity builds resilience and self-efficacy. Avoiding trials leads to stagnation. Accepting them forges stronger leaders and communities.
NICE …. CLASSIC GEN. DOUG SATTERFIELD .. IN THIS ARTICLE