In the pages of David Goggins' enlightening book, a particular narrative struck a chord with me, shedding light on the often overlooked aspect of human resilience in the face of adversity. Goggins writes about the common scenario where individuals fall hard, and upon hitting the ground, they lose all physical and mental momentum primarily due to the sheer humiliation of the fall. This notion of being humiliated, he points out, renders progress seemingly impossible.
He further elaborates on the importance of learning to absorb life's devastating blows without getting knocked down. As Goggins suggests, pushing oneself up from the depths of defeat is among the hardest steps to take as we struggle to regain lost momentum. Here, I want to emphasize something crucial—momentum is incredibly important. It's vital never to lose it, as regaining it is significantly harder than maintaining it.
When life hits you hard, the key is to keep moving forward, to rise again, because if you give in to the temptation to quit, regaining momentum becomes a Herculean task. Momentum is tricky; it's much easier to keep it rolling than to start from scratch. Thus, no matter the challenges or how limited your options may seem, it's imperative to continue building your momentum. It counts even if you manage only a fraction of a step in a day. You're building momentum, even if it seems like you're losing ground.
You're still pushing forward because you're in control of your emotions and thoughts. Goggins highlights that the rewards of such perseverance are internal. He suggests shifting our reward systems to an internal model, where growth opportunities can grow exponentially. This is because you set a standard for who you are, which is something I've taken to heart.
It's crucial to remain in control of your thoughts and emotions to make decisions with a clear mind. Goggins talks about cultivating a willingness to succeed despite any and all circumstances, a concept I find incredibly powerful. This willingness to succeed, to push through despite the odds, builds self-esteem and broadens our understanding of our capabilities, thereby increasing our capacity to tackle challenges.
Interestingly, Goggins points out that the willingness to succeed is often the first thing we lose when things go south. It's bizarre how quickly we let go of the reins, resigning to the thought, "Oh, well, it just wasn't meant to be." However, maintaining control over our thoughts and emotions and continuing to build momentum is critical.
This concept resonates with what I read in Annie Duke's book "Quit," where she talks about exploiting opportunities and exploring and maintaining curiosity to see what other options are around. This approach ensures you're diversified in your endeavors, staying committed to the task at hand yet curious about all that is around you, too.
When you hit a wall, and that feeling of wanting to quit overwhelms you, it's time to switch gears. This is where Goggins' idea of performing without a purpose becomes pivotal. You pause your immediate purpose, not letting your identity get tangled in it. Instead, you perform based on your standards and who you are at your core, ensuring you don't half-heartedly tackle any challenge, no matter the apparent results.
This approach involves getting creative, staying curious, and always looking for options and opportunities. It's about becoming your own drill instructor and cultivating an alter ego—a concept I find magical. Developing an alter ego allows you to transcend past failures and focus beyond your present limitations. This mythical figure, which you embody both mentally and physically, encourages you to push beyond self-imposed barriers.
In essence, the journey through Goggins' insights and my reflections has been transformative. It taught me the importance of unwavering purpose, the relentless pursuit of success, and the power of an alter ego in overcoming adversity. These lessons have equipped me to face challenges head-on, reminding me to keep it simple, keep moving, and never settle for less.
Let's get it!
Thank you for reading. If you're interested in discovering more, I invite you to subscribe to my podcast, "What's Your Problem?" hosted by Marsh Buice. In it, we explore solutions to the three universal challenges we all encounter: adversity, uncertainty, and complacency.
You can find the podcast on your favorite podcast app or visit www.marshbuice.com for more information.
