We’re reading David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt as a vehicle to self-improvement. While we can’t control what happens to us we can control how we respond. Goggins is helping us improve how we do that. Below are my reflections from chapters 8 and 9.
Reflections
Last week we talked about how we respond when things get hard; when “This may not end well” goes through our mind. We learned that we habitually settle for less than our best.
You only have one competitor. It’s not the guy or gal across from you, it’s the person you see in the mirror each day. You are your only competition. Competing against anyone else is futile. It puts you in an uncontrollable situation. In doing so you secede not only your goals but your happiness into the hands of others. They hold your future firmly in their grasp.
You can’t control their preparation; how hard they work day in and day out; how many hours a day they spend focusing and striving towards victory. You can’t control anything they do.
As we’ve seen, the only thing remaining within our control is our reasoned choice. We truly only control the actions we take. Those actions determine the version of ourselves we become. When we complete against ourselves day in and day out we’re on our way to becoming the best version of ourselves.
Becoming that best version takes facing down the hard and difficult. It takes putting yourself in impossible situations and facing them down. It requires overcoming each obstacle to pop up along the way. More than anything it takes ruthless self-examination and honesty.
You’ve got to know who you are today, and the person you want to become. Clarity of purpose is what we’re after. Goggins gives us a pretty good idea of the type of person worth striving to become.
“We were looking for guys with heart.” Goggins said, “Men who knew it was going to be hard tomorrow and the day after that and welcomed every challenge. Men who wanted to become better athletes, and smarter and more capable in all aspects of their life. We wanted guys who craved honor and purpose and were open-minded enough to face their deepest fears.”
Does that not sound like something worth striving after?
Getting there won’t be easy. It will require everything we’ve got. Things like grit, perseverance, and a rock-solid mindset that approaches life with focus. All the traits we admire and cultivate amount to little without hard focused work on our part.
There is always more to learn, weaknesses to overcome, areas to improve and grow. You will always have something to work on, something worth your time and effort.
You must remain vigilant–committed to achieving your best every day. You can’t control all that happens, but you can control how you respond. If we learn one thing reading this book, that’s what it needs to be.
Next Week
For next week, please read chapters 10 and 11.
Your Turn
I shared my notes from reading this past week. I’d love to hear what you pulled from this week’s reading. If you’re reading this online, drop a comment below. If you’re reading via email, hit reply. If you don’t want to do either, that’s perfectly fine as well.