Mental Toughness Secrets Of The World Class
"What you think controls how you perform -- Pure cause and effect. Your thinking is the cause. Your Performance is the effect." - Larry Wilson
First Of All, What ACTUALLY Is Mental Toughness?
According to Wikipedia…
“Mental toughness is a collection of attributes that allow a person to persevere through difficult circumstances (such as difficult training or difficult competitive situations in games) and emerge without losing confidence.”
No doubt, some people are born with a naturally higher level of mental conditioning than others, they can endure more without breaking – they can see through tough situations, hard times and push themselves that much further than others. But, just like building a physique – anyone can do it. Your neighbour may have a better starting point, a better base than you – but like all things, unless you’re consistently training it you can’t expect any growth or further development.
If you want to forge the mental fortitude of a Navy SEAL or the indisputable will of a Spartan endurance racing athlete you need to subject yourself to uncomfortable situations. You need to ensure today for the reward tomorrow.
The Thought Processes, Habits & Philosophies Of The Great Ones
Let me start by saying I've read a whole bunch of books on mental toughness and the biggest issue I've uncovered with 90% of the books I've uncovered via Amazon is they're more motivational than actionable. They tell tales of feats of mental toughness exerted in extreme situations, but they don't give YOU the reader any actionable advice to increase your mental toughness.
Steve Siebold's book is a breath of fresh air in that regard, it doesn't tell you vague stories, nor does Steve gloat about his accomplishments... instead we're given 177 mental toughness techniques used by those on the path to greatness.
You'll find for each of the 177 techniques or 'secrets':
- Title of the technique or secret
- A quote referencing this technique from either Steve himself or a titan in their field
- A lengthy explanation of the technique and its importance
- An actionable step for YOU to take TODAY
- A world class resource for this technique (this may be a book, a podcast, a website etc.)
Mental Toughness Isn't An Accident (12 Underlying Themes)
"Mental toughness is the ticket to becoming one of the great ones." - Steve Siebold
There's hundreds of techniques, tips and secrets so to speak for building mental toughness and you'll find that the majority fit into one of the main categories I've identified below...
1. The World Class Have Increased Awareness
The loser is delusional, they see what they want to see and as a result of this flaw they're never able to correct their mistakes (because they don't see them!).
Increased awareness is key for identifying where you're at and taking inventory, not to mention the identification of future events and trends.
The winner is aware of where he is so he can plot and build his way to his ultimate end goal.
2. The World Class Focus Deeply For Long Periods Of Time
Sustained concentration, thought and action over a prolonged period of time is the recipe for success.
The average man reaches a road block and instead of enduring or innovating his way around, over, through or above it he gives up and opts to pursue a new venture... until the exact same thing happens again.
The world class focus on one thing and they focus intensely for as long as it takes.
They don't fall victim to the media bias - the illusion that success is achieved overnight.
The world class know it took Bill Gates 10 years of concentrated work locked in his cubical before he was hit any form of success with Microsoft.
3. The World Class Ensure Their Belief Overrides All Else
Limiting beliefs are the downfall of the average performer.
There are already enough people doubting us, we cannot afford to doubt ourselves too!
The world class have the utmost conviction within themselves that they WILL be successful, this overrides the 3rd parties doubt.
Take Conor McGregor, two division UFC champion for example - he spoke vividly of his success before he was anywhere near it! He envisioned himself holding both of his championship belts and after a few years of laser-like focus and hard work he achieved it, becoming the first fighter in the history of the UFC to hold two belts simultaneously.
4. The World Class Are Stoic (They Focus On What They Can Control!)
The weather, the value of the US dollar, the traffic... there are many, many things outside of your control.
The average man doesn't know this, or if he does.. he never accepts it.
The world class know their energy and time are finite, they cannot afford to waste time on things outside of their control as regardless of how much they stress, curse or waste time it will not change the situation.
The world class focus on the things they can control, the action they can take that'll take them one step closer to their goals.
The world class also focus on their reaction to the things they cannot control (they remain calm and collected).
5. The World Class Are Prepared To Weather The Storm
"If it weren't for the dark days, we wouldn't know what it is to walk in the light." - Earl Campbell
The world class see adversity as a mental training ground, it's a chance to test your grit, will and perseverance and come out on top with new lessons and an increased arsenal of will and intestinal fortitude.
Hell, to reach their goals the world class know that adversity is going to be knocking on their door every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
As the saying goes, it is the struggle that makes it great.
The average seek a life of minimal discomfort, and in return they are rewarded with a life of minimal achievement.
The greatest hour for the world class immediately follows their darkest hour.
6. The World Class Are Learning Machines (Inwardly Humble)
Coaches and mentors can turn the spark, the minute present of a flame into a blowtorch.
The average man does not hire a coach or seek out a mentor because their ego won't allow them.
They've got American Idol syndrome - they think they're the greatest at something when they're far from it.
The world class, the Michael Jordan's of the world may seem cocky on the outside, but they're inwardly humble.
The world class don't listen to the advice of 99% of people because 99% of people are merely speaking through their ego and expressing their opinion when they're not a subject matter expert.
When the world class find that remaining 1% however it's an entirely different story... they'll hang on every word.
Michael Jordan is hands down one of the greatest athletes to live, it comes as no surprise that Jordan's coaches describe him as the most teachable athlete they've ever encountered.
7. The World Class Know The Value Of-Self Discipline (Gold)
Skill, talent, ability, these are all useless unless paired with self-discipline.
Self-discipline is the fire that awakens you at 5am to get up and obliterate your heavy leg workout while it’s cold and stormy outside.
Skill won’t motivate you to get out of bed.
Self discipline is the drive that forces you to sit down and write 1,000 words per day even when you feel as if it’s the last thing you want to do.
Talent won’t make you sit in that chair and put pen to paper.
Over the years I have learned that it is no skill nor talent that’ll pave the way to the live I want to live, it’s consistency.
Consistency compounds your small, day to day wins over time.
Consistency requires self discipline.
8. The World Class Train Both Their Body & Their Mind
The mirror doesn't lie, the inner always reflects on the outer. If you've got a bulletproof mind and are willing to forego the temporary satisfaction of junk food and convenience in exchange for a strict diet and gruelling workouts your physique will reflect just that. On the other hand if you're always taking the easy, convenient way out don't be shocked when you're unimpressed with what you see in the mirror.
The world class know that not only does a body that looks as if it were sculpted out of granite demand respect, daily exercise also decreases your rate of entropy, releases feel-good chemicals into your brain, reduces stress and often helps you work over complex issues while you're performing cardio.
9. The World Class Keep The Ball Rolling (they Understand Momentum!)
The average man takes action and then swiftly takes a break.
He did his work, he's earned some time off, right?
Wrong. This is the ultimate form of self-sabotage.
The world class understand that momentum either works for you or against you.
Once you’ve built momentum you must use it, your confidence, focus and ability are all at their peak – you’re able to perform better, see clearer and get shit done.
If you procrastinate, if you fall victim to paralysis by analysis.
Momentum will be the train thrashing downhill, and the only way it’s going to stop is by taking you out with it.
And once you lose momentum you’re back to nothing, a small snowball trying to build traction to form an avalanche once more.
Imagine a flying trapeze. The trapeze is your life.
It has peaks and troughs, it swings and arcs.
You must be prepared to pull the trigger and execute on your goals while momentum is behind you.
Don’t sabotage yourself and make things harder like the average man.
10. The World Class Are Prepared To Win BEFORE They Go To Battle
Flurries of activity and productivity are often confused… if you don’t know what you’re meant to be doing and how you're going to win the battle you’re firing without lining up the cross-hair on your target.
"Ready, Fire, Aim!" goes the average man.
The world class have a plan, like a technician they've got every piece in place and they know what they need to do in order to succeed.
The world class listen to the greats such as Sun Tzu that walked the earth many years ago:
"It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle."
The world class opt to spend time becoming familiar with themselves, their enemy and the proverbial terrain on which they will do battle in order to ensure they're using every possible advantage in their favor.
11. The World Class Know That Tomorrow Is Never Promised
The average man spends his days merely passing time, with his eye set on the week long vacation he's going on 8 months from now.
He foolishly passes each day until then without any regard for how many days he has left.
He is not even guaranteed to be alive in 8 months to go on the vacation!
Time is the most precious commodity we have, the world class understand that the time they've spent cannot be recovered, nor can they purchase any additional time regardless of how many zeros they have on the end of their bank account.
“Two elements must therefore be rooted out once for all – the fear of future suffering, and the recollection of past suffering; since the latter no longer concerns me, and the former concerns me not yet.” – Marcus Aurelius
As Seneca says in the classic stoic text “On The Shortness Of Life” we have a sufficient amount of time for accomplishment if, and only IF we spend our time wisely.
This urgency is the driving factor the world class use to channel laser-like vision to enter the state of flow required to do great work and build great things.
12. The World Class Use Isolation To Their Advantage
The world class know that regardless of how upbeat, successful and abundance-minded they are the energy of a soul sapping negative person is contagious - it doesn't take much to drain your energy and have you questioning yourself.
The world class thus opt to stick together, they avoid the negative, the average and the time wasting activities and people in the world around them.
The world class can't always spend time with each other so they read books, listen to audio, attend seminars and create a world of abundance in their own isolated space.
The average man spends his time among other average men, often complaining about the luck and fortune of those that've achieved and attained the things he desires.
Little does he know the world doesn't respond to need, it only responds to seed (put in the work!).
Want To Know More About Mental Toughness?
Click here to pick up your copy of Steve Siebold's 177 Mental Toughness Secrets Of The World Class.
Read and implement these techniques and you'll be earning dividends for the rest of your life, I speak from experience.
