I have relentlessly argued through my blog that we all have unlimited potential, and that life is about stretching this horizon repeatedly. No other than David Goggins describes and lives this so vividly. David Goggins is a former Navy Seal and a never-finished endurance athlete. Goggins argues that mental strength is what it takes to overcome any obstacle. Goggins has found strength and motivation to do more from every adversity, including the people who want to pull him back, life situations, mental trauma, and physical injury.
In his memoir, “Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds,” Goggins chronicles his journey of overcoming personal and physical challenges through discipline, self-discovery, and mental toughness. The book provides tools to overcome obstacles, both physical and mental.
In his latest book, Goggins emphasizes that you are wrong if you think you have reached your pinnacle. It is just the beginning of a never-ending endeavor. He argues that our capabilities far exceed our wildest imagination, and the decision made in a split second can change your life forever. Goggins stresses the importance of being comfortable with change and taking control of your life.
I highly recommend reading the book because every page is a lesson.
The five key ideas I noted from the book are.
Change your mindset and be a “savage” – In Goggins world, being savage is a compliment. A savage defies the odds, has a strong will that cannot be tamed, and always gets back up when knocked down. Goggins suggests that if you want to maximize minimal potential and become great in any field, you must embrace your savage side.
According to Goggins, you can become a savage by intentionally changing your mindset and using an alter-ego to turn the savage on or off. Goggins himself cultivated an alter-ego where David is his authentic self, and Goggins is his alter-ego who is fearless and unstoppable. This mental trick can help people overcome their fears and attempt things they never thought possible. Goggins uses alter-ego to power his journey to become the hardest uncommon amongst the uncommon.
Discipline and a positive attitude triumph over everything – The lack of discipline results in a half-hearted approach to life. Discipline can bend your reality. You can be born a loser, but that doesn’t determine your future. Despite life’s challenges, such as a lack of natural talent, difficult upbringing, or personal insecurities, David argues that discipline can alter one’s DNA and unlock the doors to success. Discipline provides the power to change your direction and trajectory.
Goggins believes a bad attitude is the only thing more infectious than a good one. He says the more you dwell on the negative, the weaker you feel. However, the reverse is also true. Goggins simplifies a positive attitude with his “roger that” explanation, which is not just to note “order received” but really means “order received, expect results.”
Denial is limiting, and embracing one’s pain is a strength – David believes that denial of shortcomings and fear of disappointing yourself or others can limit one’s potential. The circumstances in life are often out of our control, and it is our responsibility to take control of our future. David encourages embracing one’s identity as an underdog and never quitting when your pain and insecurity are at their peak.
Don’t be afraid to disappoint others – Goggins emphasizes that you must put your needs first, even if it means letting others down. No one will care about your problems as much as you do, so you need to take charge of your own life. To live the life you want, you need to be comfortable with the possibility of disappointing others. By doing so, you will be able to live a life that is true to yourself. David also sees negative emotions like hate as fuel and uses criticism from others as motivation to work harder and achieve goals.
Set your standards – the key message here is that don’t try to be the best among the herd, be the best version of yourself. David tells about his experience of training with Captain Connolly. David learned how to do more with less and that it was not just possible to dig deeper but mandatory if you strive to be your best self. David says that to stay humble, you’ll need to make sure you are living up to your own code for your development—far beyond the influence of parents, teachers, coaches, or other traditional mentors and their philosophies.
I would like to leave you with two quotes from Goggins:
I’m still haunted, but I’ve traded in my demons for evil-ass angels, and now, it’s a good haunting. I’m haunted by my future goals, not my past failures. I’m haunted by what I may still become. I’m haunted by my own continued thirst for evolution.
AND
The world needs all of us to evolve into the very best versions of ourselves. That’s a moving target, and it isn’t a one-time task. It is a lifelong quest for more knowledge, more courage, more humility, and more belief. Because when you summon the strength and discipline to live like that, the only thing limiting your horizons is you.
I’m grateful for your time in reading this blog. In the comments section, let me know your experience and perspective on the subject. Please share the blog with your friends if you enjoyed reading it.
