Have you ever stopped to think about the incredible power of your mindset? Now, I believe mindset is something that we all often think about, and want to improve, but we truly underestimate the idea that mindset is the key difference between an elite performer and someone who settles for mediocrity.
This article is going to be the first in a series about Mindset and why it’s important, exploring why it's not just a buzzword but a key to unlocking your fullest potential. By the end of this series, you will have no other option but to fulfil your potential and unlock the mindset you’ve always dreamed of and were capable of having.
At King’s Piece - we aren’t ‘know it all’s, or people who have already achieved all of our goals. Much like you, we are men who started from the beginning, building ourselves up to be the men we’ve always dreamed of being. We are actively working towards our goals, and we want to encourage others to join us on the journey of discovering the person they’ve always wanted to be. We put several hours of work into each blog post to fully understand the topic we are discussing and the lessons we learned, so we can serve as an example of how an average man can ascend to become the king of his own world, future and journey!
Mindset is something we at King’s Piece have always struggled with. However, you are not simply born with a super duper tough mindset - this can also be developed and cultivated. Nurturing your mind into an ultimate undefeatable power that smashes through adversity is what distinguishes between the most remarkable legacy you can leave behind and the most disheartening one you could ever imagine.
Now, after hearing that, I'm sure you want to get on with the good stuff so let’s get into the three critical aspects of mindset!
It’s imperative that you understand that most things in life are achievable. The difference between success and failure is your personal limiting belief. Our personalities and skills are never fully set in stone, but, often we internalise any doubts expressed to us about our capabilities or strengths, and it is, in fact, these internalised thoughts and opinions of ourselves that hold us back from achieving our full potential. Attaching these to our identity then, in turn, causes them to become part of our identity.
An important step in overcoming your limiting beliefs is being conscious that you can change them in the first place. So - it’s crucial to recognise what your limiting beliefs are. You need to take time to self-reflect, either by taking some time to think, or, more effectively, journaling. Notice when these thoughts occur and why, note down any patterns and how they make you feel. There may be times when fears or doubts arise in you, telling you that you cannot do something. However, more often than not, changing your way of thinking - your mindset - can lead to a positive outcome and actually doing what you set out to do.
I’ll give you a real example.
I used to hold a limiting belief that I couldn't attend networking events by myself because I was shy or awkward since I typically rely on bringing a friend with me as a safety net. I got to the event and went straight to the bar to get a drink. At this moment, I understood that it’s important to challenge your beliefs and seek contrary evidence, as I knew before that I had been in similar settings where I didn’t have any issue getting to know new people and connecting with them. As a result, I started to think to myself that I needed to stop being shy and to go over to people to start talking and networking. I became conscious of my limiting belief in socialising and decided to go for it. I replaced negative self-talk with positive self-talk, and I went from nervous to confident. I told myself that I could do this and that I’m the best version of myself (obviously I was wearing the King’s boxers so I had to be exceeding my limits and be the best version of myself.)
That shift in limiting belief taught me a valuable lesson - the most important thing is the mindset you apply to yourself, as this determines what you actually feel and think, and thus the outcome. Remember - your subconscious mind does not know the difference between what is real and fake, it only knows what you feed it. The one most crucial, important step in overcoming limiting beliefs is to take action and stack as much evidence as possible against your limiting belief so that eventually it is no longer true.
Determination is a crucial aspect of your mindset. It’s the difference between getting back up or staying down after falling. According to Walden University (2020) “recent research suggests that having determination is more important than simply being intelligent, since your intelligence (and the rest of your talent) is an inherently passive quality, but determination is active.” This means that determination is characterised by action or the will to take action and implies that when a person is determined, they actively work towards their goals, showing persistence, commitment, and a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and challenges.
"Close your eyes and picture yourself standing in a grand arena, This isn't just any arena; it's the crucible of dreams, where champions are forged. You're not alone; you're surrounded by passionate souls, each with their eyes on the same prize, each with their own story and aspiration.
In this arena, you are not just a spectator; you are a warrior. You're in the ring, fists clenched, heart pounding, alongside others who share your relentless hunger for success. As the battle unfolds, you'll face opponents who match your determination, who burn with the same fire, and who are on the same quest for greatness.
Just as in this arena, your work or business is your battleground. It's your arena, where you'll encounter fellow dreamers and doers, all striving for victory. The path to the top is no easy climb, but it's in this shared struggle that you discover the true essence of your potential. Your journey is a testament to your resilience, your unwavering belief, and the untamed spirit that drives you forward.
They all want what you want, however, the decisions you make that doesn't seem significant will stack up over time and be the reason why you succeed over those who choose not to go the extra mile.
Determination is about putting in faith when you can’t see the finish line. It’s about turning every tragedy, every loss, into a victory. Stacking up your wins, your victories, your follow-throughs, when you don’t feel like doing the work, and using it as undeniable evidence that you are able, skilled and confident in your dream and your ability to achieve it. Will you break it before it breaks you?
Consider this scenario: when your alarm rings at 5 am, do you let the whispers of instant gratification get to you? Do you press the snooze button? Do you lie to yourself and say you’ll do it later? Ultimately, it’s the determination to outcompete the others that are still asleep in order to get ahead or out-work your competition, that will determine who is the winner at the end of the race. One thing that keeps most of us average is that we make the easy choices that make life hard, instead of the hard choices that will make life much easier in the long term. Someone is fighting for the same exact spot, the same dream, the same vision, so you have to out-work, out-grind and out-compete them.
Determination is a mindset in and of itself. It’s saying yes to difficult choices and feeling uncomfortable, and saying no to instant gratification. Through this, you will develop the confidence necessary to achieve all that you set out.
Make the plan and stick to the plan for the entirety of your life - you aren’t here to participate but rather to dominate. If you’re 99% committed to your vision, it’s as good as not being committed at all. The only way is to be 100% committed to it - you play to win and your wins will get you walking differently, talking differently, moving differently. At the end of the journey you have to be phenomenal and push for legend - your mindset is an example to others that rely on you and the legacy you can leave for your family.
Confidence plays a crucial role in all aspects of mindset - limiting beliefs and determination both require confidence to be implemented effectively. It's the boost you need when you're battling self-doubt and striving for success. That unwavering belief in yourself gives you the courage to overcome those nagging doubts. It's also the wind beneath the wings of your determination, pushing you forward even when the finish line seems miles away. Moreover, it's the bedrock upon which you build your resilience, turning setbacks and challenges into stepping stones toward success. In the arena of mindset, confidence is the driving force that propels you past your doubts, fuels your determination, and propels you toward your ultimate goals.
The power of mindset is undeniable, with its three critical pillars: confronting and defeating limiting beliefs, fostering unwavering determination, and nurturing unshakable confidence. It's through this trinity that we transform self-doubt into self-assuredness and embrace the trials of our journey with resilience.
While this is only one part of a series on mindset, I hope this article has uplifted and inspired you to focus on your mindset and start to nurture it into something amazing - an unbreakable spirit that cannot be denied their dream.
“A man with a vision cannot be denied”
Thanks,
Bradley DR
Sources:
Walden University (2020). The Benefits of Determination | Walden University. [online] www.waldenu.edu. Available at: https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/resource/the-benefits-of-determination#:~:text=Determination%20Overcomes%20Failure&text=You%20push%20through%20them%20or.
