The Toughest Man Alive
What If Mentality Will Change Your Life
Seven strategies to achieve more
“You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.” — David Goggins
An overweight exterminator wanted to enlist in the Navy SEALs, and recruiters laughed him off the phone. He was an unhappy man who had a daily routine consisting of two hamburgers, a large milkshake, a box of donuts, and hours of watching TV.
If he wanted to enlist in the Navy SEALs, he had to lose 106 pounds in a few weeks. Recruiters refused to waste their time with him, but they did not know that on the other side of the phone was a man determined to change his life.
To lose weight, he developed a tool called the Accountability Mirror. He would look at himself in the mirror every day and have a conversation with himself about his worst fears and biggest dreams. He adopted a new mentality called “What if?”
His name is David Goggins. The man who refused to choose the path of least resistance. Recruiters told him he should not try to join the Navy SEALs. He told himself, What if I could lose weight? What if I could be the 36th African American Navy Seal? What if I could defy all the odds?
His “What if mentality” and other strategies helped him become the toughest man in the world and the 36th African American Navy SEAL.
1. What if?
“What if is the power and permission to face down your darkest demons, your very worst memories, and accept them as part of your history. If and when you do that, you will be able to use them as fuel to envision the most audacious, outrageous achievement and go get it.” — David Goggins
- What if you were not afraid?
- What if you unleash your potential?
- What if you give 100% every day?
- What if you stop caring what other people think?
- What if you pay attention to the tension in your life?
- What if you answer these questions and follow your dreams?
- What if?
Action Step:
Next time you feel that you need to do something, instead of listening to your critics or your self-doubt, stop and ask:
What if I did ______?
2. The 40% rule
“When you think that you are done, you’re only 40% in to what your body’s capable of doing. That’s just the limits that we put on ourselves.” — David Goggins
Sadly, most of us are not living up to our potential. We are settling for less than our best, and that is a scary thought. Most of us stop pushing ourselves as soon as we feel tired, which is only 40% of our maximum effort.
David Goggins calls this The 40 % Rule. It is a simple but powerful rule. If you follow it, you will improve your life and perform better than most people around you.
Action Step:
To start living your life to your full potential, embrace the “discomfort zone” by pushing past your comfort zone. For example, if you are running three miles per day, run four, and so on.
3. The Accountability Mirror
I tacked Post-It notes on my Accountability Mirror, and I’ll ask you to do the same. Digital devices won’t work. Write all your insecurities, dreams, and goals on Post-Its and tag up your mirror. — David Goggins
This accountability mirror created the toughest man in the world. First, Goggins would stand in front of his mirror and give himself an honest assessment of how good or bad he was doing. Then, he would have full-on conversations with himself about the man that he needs to be to realize his dreams.
He did not let his current circumstances or physical limitation define him, and he credits that accountability mirror to that.
Action Step:
Write down your goals on Post-It notes, and place them on your bathroom mirror. Then, begin your morning routine by standing in front of your accountability mirror and hold yourself accountable.
4. Face Your Excuses
What are the current factors limiting your growth and success? Is someone standing in your way at work or school? Are you underappreciated and overlooked for opportunities? — David Goggins
Too many people are afraid to face their troubled past or current circumstances, so they escape using drugs or alcohol. But, unfortunately, escaping your past does not serve you, and escaping your current circumstances leads to self-destruction.
If you are willing to face your excuses, no one can limit your potential. So face your fears and excuses today, and see you at the top.
Action Step:
Grab your journal and get real with yourself. Write down all of your excuses, mental blocks, and self-limiting beliefs that you have.
5. Seek Discomfort
The first step on the journey toward a calloused mind is stepping outside your comfort zone on a regular basis. — David Goggins
Growth and comfort do not coexist. Growth exists outside of your comfort zone. Develop your inner strength and callous mind by doing all the things that scare you. Adopt a can-do mindset and learn how to deal with anxiety and stress.
The habit of seeking discomfort will help you build your self-confidence and eliminate all of your self-doubts.
Action Step:
Write down all of the things that make you uncomfortable, and plan to do one of them every day.
6. Get a Cookie Jar
The Cookie Jar is your shortcut to taking control of your own thought process. Use it that way! The point here isn’t to make yourself feel like a hero for the f### of it. It’s not a hooray-for-me session. It’s to remember what a badass you are so you can use that energy to succeed again in the heat of battle! — David Goggins
The cookie jar is a metaphor for all the good things that you have accomplished in your life. Write down all of your memories of victories as well what it took to accomplish these victories.
The goal is to document what you are capable of doing, so you can visit these memories anytime you are facing a new challenge.
Action Step:
Document every life obstacle that you faced, every failure that you turned into success in your life. Whenever you need motivation, take a note out of this cookie jar and remind yourself of your greatness.
7. Schedule it
Schedule it in! It’s time to compartmentalize your day. Too many of us have become multitaskers, and that’s created a nation of half-asses. — David Goggins
David Goggins recommends that you need to schedule all of your daily activities. If you want to talk to one of your customers, schedule it on your calendar. If you have a meeting with your boss, schedule it on your calendar.
Stop multitasking, and maximize your productivity by focusing on working smarter.
Action Step:
Create your optimal schedule and go to work. For more ideas about working smarter and achieving more, visit this article.
We created a FREE 7-Day Design Your Ideal Day Challenge to help you create a better life and a better YOU. You might be asking yourself now, “Is that possible?” We challenge you to sign up now and find out.