The Great Enabler - Your Mindset
Yes, I know we've all heard this before. You have to think differently, think outside the box, believe, etc. They are all true, certainly, if you are looking to obtain different results in life. But have you truly experienced a stark "before/after" experience? Do you really understand the difference your mindset makes on what you do and how you do it?
To highlight this idea, I'm going to tell you about a story from my past. I've always been into athletics of some sort. Some things I was good at, others not as much. There was one sport I loved, that I actually had a natural ability for. With proper training and a huge amount of effort (much like building a business ;) ), I actually became quite good, but...
Childhood Lesson Learned, Then Forgotten
I learned a great lesson on mindset at an early age, relating to my sport of choice, speed skating. One of my best memories, and most keen lesson, comes from one of the skating meets I participated in.
I started speed skating at the age of 12 (back when skates were two wheels side by side, now called "quads" in today's inline world). I was a "rink rat" at the time, and loved to go fast. My desire to go fast frequently got me into trouble with the floor guards, and I spent a good bit of time "benched". One guy I hung out with was on the speed team there. He's the one who suggested I try out.
Speed skating was a natural fit for a 12-year-old rink rat with lots of energy and a competitive spirit. I was pretty good after a few months of training - even went to nationals in a relay event my first year. Even with this success, I still didn't really have confidence, my old mindset wouldn't allow it.
Even without confidence, there weren't a lot of skaters in my division that could beat me. I knew exactly who the skaters were that were better than me, and somehow had it in my mind that I couldn't beat them, because they always finished ahead of me. I settled on a certain expected pecking order, so to speak. Each meet, that was pretty much how things turned out, exactly as I had envisioned. It didn't matter that I was improving, and that my coach told me I could beat them. It was pretty much the same at every meet, with one memorable exception.
At this particular meet, I found out that the national champion in my division wasn't going to make it. Rather than triggering the typical mindset of "better chance to place", I somehow leaped to the mindset that "no one is going to beat me". It was like a switch suddenly turned on in my head.
It didn't matter that all the other skaters who could, and frequently, beat me were there. Somehow, that part of the equation was totally ignored, as did the usual mental pecking order of placement.
I made my coach (and myself) proud that meet. I came in with a mental "swagger", absolutely convinced I was going to win every race. And I did just that, convincingly. Out of all the other meets (including regionals and nationals, where were a big deal), this meet was my best. I don't remember all the races in detail, but there is one that completely stands out in all my skating career. It helps put an exclamation point on how much your mindset matters.
It was the last division race (a final, you had to get through the heats and semifinal to get here) - the long one. I hated the long race. I was a sprinter. I was great for 5 laps, could go all out, but this was 15 laps, my worst distance. My usual plan was to win the start (usually did) and try to control the pace as much as possible, in an attempt to save up most of my energy for the last 4-5 laps. The plan worked fine in the heats and semi, so if it ain't broke...
My plan was disrupted at the line, however. I left early. When you "jump", you get penalized. I got set back to the second line, a few feet behind the other skaters, and waited for the gun. This was exceedingly rare for me. I can count on one hand the number of times I jumped in my entire skating career.
I ended up last off the line, which is usually what happens when you jump in a final. This was not at all what I was used to. My comfort zone (and race plan) was completely destroyed before the first corner.
As usual, the front runners took off in a dead sprint for the first couple of laps, gapping the pack (which is why you always want to be up front at the start). I was still in last after the first lap. This was a worst case scenario.
Three things happened in this race that are worth noting, as they were far from the norm for me. First, I still planned on winning, in spite of all the facts and past experience telling me there is absolutely no way I was going to win, and that just placing would be a huge win. Second, I ran a race I had NEVER ran before (which is why I remember it still). Third, the fatigue at running as hard as I had to play catch-up hit me just as hard as it normally would have, at the usual lapcount I would expect; yet when it hit, my determination only grew (usually this would be the time I'd start faltering).
The leader took off for the final few laps, per usual, trying to seal the victory, and I had just passed into second. My legs were pretty much done, but for some reason, I couldn't accept second place. I had a gap to close, and that remained my focus.
Second place was more than I needed to win my division, as I'd already won the 5 and 10 lap races. I could have easily kept second place, and have been proud of the come from behind race I just ran to win my division. For some reason, it just wasn't enough.
My legs were done, but my mind wasn't. I wanted to win. I chased down first place and passed him with about a lap and a half to go. That wasn't good enough, either. I had to win it convincingly, as I did the others. I ended up pulling about 15-20 feet on him by the time I crossed the finish line. [I did make it to a chair before my legs totally gave out. ;) ]
It was my best race, and the ingredient that made it happen was belief, followed by a refusal to give up that belief mid-race (determination), even when things got really hard.
I wish I could say that this meet started a reign of victories going forward (as it should have), but it didn't. I lost my swagger. Even though I proved I had the ability, I did not hold onto that mindset. I never lived up to my potential.
Lesson 1 (meaning: lesson I eventually learned): You get what you think - for good or bad. You cannot surpass the mental limitations you place on yourself. But if you believe, and work towards that goal, there is no telling how far you can go. Throw in determination and an unwillingness to give up, no matter how hard things get, and you can truly have life-altering results.
Success Is a Mindset
The take away in my sharing this story has nothing to do with my skating ability. I was good. I had my moments. I had a lot of potential. The real point is that the level of success depended on my mindset.
The other side of this story is that I failed to obtain "greatness" in my sport because even after a performance proving what I could do, and experiencing the mindset that enabled this, it didn't last. Why? Ultimately, my thoughts moved back into a mental comfort zone. A mental "path of least resistance", so to speak. I failed to fully believe that I could do it again. I had good races after this meet, but not consistently, as my mind was not consistent. Any possibility of greatness died from a simple lack of belief. EVERYTHING ELSE WAS PRESENT.
This story is, to me, a both a fond memory and a life lesson - both positive and negative. It's about the ability of the mind, if set right, to propel you forward from good to great. It's also about how a bad mindset prevented me from reaching my potential. This story repeated in other parts of my life for the very same reason: lack of belief.
Lesson 2: Potential is a terrible thing to waste. Wasting it is "the path of least resistance", as it takes no effort, and coddles you in a false sense of comfort (status quo). Potential is ethereal until willed into action. And boy, does it take a lot of will to keep it up!
It's Almost Over ;)
There is a saying that "God helps those who help themselves". While this phrase is not found in the Bible, it is true in a sense. I think I'd phrase it differently: "God does not set you up for failure." This doesn't sound the same, but it gets you to the same place in a healthier direction.
What this means is that you have to put yourself in a position to "win". Once you do, doors will open for you. I've seen this throughout my life. When I wait for things to happen for me, nothing does - nothing but closed doors. Every time I've learned and grown in an area, new doors open. Some you would expect, like acquiring marketable skills helps you get a job. Some come in a manner you wouldn't expect.
I've had opportunities spring from nowhere - unsolicited, even; but only once I was ready for it. Life is like that. Open your mind to the possibilities, prepare the way, and watch the doors open.
Never place your success at a given level (like I placed myself in the skating pecking order... "I'll never be THAT good"). Don't think that it's not possible for you. Instead, ask yourself how you can make it possible, then work towards it one step at a time.
Closing... Really, I Mean it This Time!
Final lesson: Everything you do, and everything you will become, is determined by how you think. Every battle is won or lost in your mind - whether that battle is a race, a goal, a personal struggle, your job or your business.
Will you finish your race strong? Will you fight the good fight of your mind? The reward is well worth it, beyond the trophy.
"Renew your mind."
My latest mindset adjustment was starting an online business. Previously, I thought of many reasons why I can't do it (they are nearly endless). But then one day, I actually opened my mind to the possibilities, and really thought about it. This created a subtle shift in my thinking. It was subtle in one way, but quite profound in another. I saw possibilities of open doors, rather than closed doors.
Nothing is certain, but isn't creating the possibiilty- win or lose - better than never trying? Personally, I'd rather try and fail, than never try.
One thing is for sure. If you never start, you'll never finish. If you do nothing, next year will still come, but without the possibility of success.
Life is far more exciting when you see the possibilities in front of you, than with a mind full of closed doors and self-limiting talk.
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Definitely agree with success being a mindset. Great share and thanks for the follow!