How to Develop Killer Instinct

Summary

The web content discusses the concept of "killer instinct," a trait characterized by relentless determination, resilience, and a ruthless drive to succeed at all costs.

Abstract

The article defines "killer instinct" as an innate, yet cultivable, trait that embodies extreme willpower and a relentless pursuit of success. It describes individuals with this trait as being ruthless, unyielding, and unaffected by external opinions. These individuals are portrayed as those who take extreme measures to achieve their goals, give no regard to failure, and maintain confidence under pressure. The article emphasizes that while some may naturally possess this trait, it can also be developed through discipline and a willingness to embrace discomfort. It suggests that by setting clear goals, pushing past limits, and maintaining a fearless attitude, one can foster their own "killer instinct" to rise above mediocrity and achieve dominance in their endeavors.

Opinions

The author believes that killer instinct is not just inherent but can be developed over time through conditioning and discipline.
People with killer instinct are described as being singularly focused on their objectives, akin to lions hunting their prey, and are willing to sacrifice health and personal relationships to succeed.
The article suggests that losers make excuses, while winners take action and make things happen, highlighting a clear distinction between the two mindsets.
It is expressed that killers do not concern themselves with the opinions of others and are unapologetic about their actions and decisions.
The author asserts that true killers never quit, drawing on the example of Thomas Edison and his numerous attempts at inventing the lightbulb.
Dominance and the desire to excel beyond mere competence are seen as key motivators for individuals with killer instinct.
The article posits that killers thrive under pressure and view challenges as opportunities to prove their mettle, using Michael Jordan as an exemplar of clutch performance.
Confidence is highlighted as a defining characteristic of killers, one that is deeply ingrained and unshakable by external criticism.
The author provides practical advice for cultivating one's own killer instinct, such as setting multiple alarms to wake up early or taking extreme measures to achieve personal goals.
A hunger for success and a relentless attitude are presented as essential components of the killer instinct mindset.
The author reflects on their personal journey of developing a killer instinct, which involved overcoming a people-pleasing nature and standing up to adversaries.
The article concludes by identifying signs of a weak approach that necessitate stepping up one's game, such as lack of obsession, avoidance of the real subject, less than full effort, and easily succumbing to distractions.

Killer instinct means having strong willpower. It’s not easy to spot, some people are hidden killers, they’re sweet and laid back, but when it’s time for business, get the hell out of their way.

It’s called the killer instinct because it’s innate. But, if you condition yourself long enough it can become second nature.

First, what are they like?

They are ruthless

Killers are lions with tunnel vision. When they see their prey, it’s seek-and-destroy time, and they’ll rip your head off if that’s what it takes.

Think about all the businessmen, politicians, athletes, or anyone who’s at the top of the food chain, they have zero mercy for their enemies.

They take it to the extreme

Killers are just as ruthless with themselves.

They’re willing to achieve what they want at all costs, even if it means sacrificing health and love, it’s why they win.

In baseball and in business, there are three types of people. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened. -Tommy Lasorda

Losers make excuses, winners make things happen.

They give no fucks

Normal people pretend to not care. But killers really, really couldn’t give a rat’s ass, your opinion of them usually doesn’t even cross their mind.

Normal people feel a need to make excuses or explain their failures, killers don’t. Agree or disagree, understand or misunderstand, it’s all good.

There’s no quit in them

Thomas Edison might’ve failed up to 10,000 times before inventing the lightbulb. Most people might give up after 10 tries at something, shame on them.

Killers are resilient fighters, if anything, failure motivates them even more.

They want to dominate

To them, good isn’t enough. They enjoy stomping on competition, it shows that they’re heads-and-shoulders above everybody else.

They fight through stuff

It doesn’t matter how many hours it takes, how bad it hurts, how scary it feels, how dull it is, or how much they have to sacrifice, there’s no let-up.

They like challenges

When they face adversity, they don’t complain, they see it as an exciting opportunity to prove themselves.

They aren’t bothered by pressure

How someone handles pressure will tell you what they’re made of. Do they act unusual? Do they break down? Do they explode in anger?

Or, do they do what killers do? Stay ice cool. Or even better, excel under pressure.

Michael Jordan doesn’t get intimidated by big moments. The end of a close game makes him come alive and perform even better, and that’s why he’s the most clutch player of all time.

They are hella confident

Confidence is the #1 trait that characterizes a killer. It doesn’t come and go, it’s a stain/tattoo/mark embedded deep in their psyche. And no outside noise can smudge it.

It’s why they’re huge risk-takers, they believe they’ll win every time.

How to become a stone-cold killer

Become your own enforcer.

Do you have what it takes? Are you willing to push yourself and discipline yourself to get from point A to point B, regardless of the circumstance?

If not, there’s good news. You can work on your killer instinct every day from anywhere:

If you want to wake up early every day, then set 50 alarms, sleep earlier, use Mel Robbin’s 5-second rule
If you want to bump up your weight lift limit by 20 lbs, then take the pain, hire a coach, find a friend, scream if you have to
If you want to stop drinking, then give away your booze or throw it away, say no to parties and bars, go to AA meetings if you have to
If you want to start your own business, then ask the bank for a loan, borrow money from friends and family, start a fundraiser, sell your stuff. Sell your car, your home, your sperm/eggs, your kidney

Whatever it takes.

Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. — Michael Jordan

Every time you force yourself to complete a goal, big or small, your inner killer levels up. Because you’re training your mind to embrace discomfort.

It’s a simple concept but difficult task. If you aren’t a killer by nature you need to push yourself and even be cruel to yourself if necessary. Most people aren’t willing to do that, and that’s why they’re average, that’s why they can only wish for wealth and success.

Be hungry

If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to get it.

If a limbless mother’s house is on fire but her baby’s still in the bedroom, I bet she’ll get her child out of the house, somehow.

And that’s what killers have always, a relentless and fearless attitude. It’s in their DNA to go hard all the time.

I’ve worked on my own killer instinct and it’s helped me a lot

I wouldn’t say there was no killer in me, everybody’s got some. But I used to be too nice, or should I say, too weak. Some of it was due to my soft nature and some due to my Asian culture.

A group of tough kids pushed me around in high school, and it came to a point where I had enough and decided to stand up to them. If they called me names I‘d go back at them. If they drank a whole bottle of liquor, I’d match them. If we played basketball, I’d go extra hard.

Maybe I developed an edge or maybe I’ve had it in me the whole time. Either way, my people-pleasing aura started wearing off and people started to respect me. I carry the same edge with me today and when I say I’ll do something, I’d get it done, no matter what.

And that’s the essence of a killer, always put up a fight.

Signs you need to step your game up

You aren’t where you want to be, and it might not have much to do with your qualifications. You have the same tools as everybody else, what you’re lacking is the mindset. Let’s see if you fall into any of these weak approaches:

You aren’t obsessed-you dabble around and give half effort. Killers are single-minded, once they set a target, they go 100mph
You dance around the real subject-you want to be a writer so you read, take courses, design your website, your logo, you even think of your pen name, you work on everything but the main thing itself, which is writing. Why? Because it’s the hardest. Killers go straight for the dome
You don’t give your 110% effort-you work hard enough to get the job done. Killers work till they physically can’t, and then work some more
You get distracted easily-Staying focused for a long period of time isn’t easy but if you can’t do it, you ain’t no killer!

Killer instinct is a power boost and it’ll amplify everything you do.