SMILE!

“Whether it is a seven-mile run or a 240-mile run, we all know what it’s like to bargain with ourselves to avoid having to do the very thing we said we would. We say we’re overworked, overwhelmed, or just over it entirely. I never give in to that because I know there are a lot of people out there who do not have that choice to make. They cannot run at all and wish like hell they could.”
I am currently in the process of reading David Goggins’ book called “Never Finished.” When I picked up this book, I knew that David would talk through some fundamental aspects of resilience from the lens of an athlete. Many people have repeatedly said David has a harsh mentality and works out obsessively. Society often labels someone “obsessive” regarding their work ethic because they cannot look beyond an average mindset. When someone shares a similar philosophy to David’s, his work ethic is unsurprising. As a runner and person who consistently goes to the gym, I understand his viewpoints.
An average mindset references a mindset that has become comfortable with being comfortable. Everyone defines “comfort” or “being comfortable” differently. In reality, being comfortable is being content with your current state without wanting to accomplish more. So the real question is not if David is obsessed with improving in life. The real question is, why do people continue to choose to be average?
Average people have implemented average habits/routines in their lives. An average routine means they have decided to let life control them vs. taking control of their lives. They go about their day and the routine but ultimately feel very little fulfillment at the end of the day. For example, an example of an average routine is waking up ten minutes before work and not taking the time to work on yourself. Working on yourself can also take ten minutes to read a book in the morning. The first step to a successful and productive life is revealed in the routines a person has implemented. The habits one has established explain the meaningful and important things to them. An average person also talks a lot about the goals they want to accomplish. If your words don’t match up with your actions, that is a significant problem. So, for example, you can tell your friends you want to go to the gym. However, if you don’t take the extra thirty minutes in the morning to go to a gym – you are too busy talking about the goal and not working towards it. As David mentioned in his quote – he never gives into the mental chatter of ever being too tired before a workout. How does this apply to you? Stop letting the average mindset rule over everything that you do in life. It is essential to ask yourself what kind of life you want to lead and work towards accomplishing this daily. More importantly, it is necessary to identify that you have the power to control your life.
Suppose you were to start writing why you should not work out. The list would be endless; actually, the list would be infinite because we are the best at providing excuses. Where do excuses derive from, and how are they connected to an average mindset? Excuses are often a result of the desire to stay within one’s comfort zone. People create excuses to avoid stepping out of their comfort zone and taking on new challenges. The comfort zone is where people feel secure and where they are most comfortable. However, staying in the comfort zone can lead to complacency, preventing personal growth. This is where people with an average mindset tend to get stuck. They are resistant to change, and they are content with the status quo. Often, people don’t even realize how many excuses they make for not pursuing their goals. Excuses can become so ingrained in a person’s mindset that they become a way of life. People may justify their inaction by blaming external factors such as lack of time or resources or rationalize their behavior by convincing themselves that their goals are unattainable.
Sometimes, people may not even be aware that they are making excuses. This is where self-awareness becomes crucial. By recognizing the excuses they make, people can take steps to overcome their limiting beliefs and start taking action toward their goals.
David’s quote about not letting the voice in your head win is powerful. Giving in to the negative inner voice that tells us to settle for mediocrity and stay in our comfort zones is easy. However, learning to go beyond the average mindset and strive for greatness is a powerful and transformative experience. It takes courage and determination to push past our limits and pursue our goals relentlessly, but the payoff is immense. We can unlock our full potential and achieve extraordinary things by challenging ourselves and refusing to let the average mindset control our lives. David’s words remind us that we can control our destiny and create the life we want, but it requires us to silence the negative voice in our head and take action toward our dreams.

Sincerely,

Manisha