Building a formidable mindset.
Lessons from my past that has shaped my future.
Building a formidable mindset for personal and professional growth.
Oliver Wendell Holmes said; “A Man’s mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions”.
The oxford dictionary defines a mindset as “a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations”.
The beauty of a formidable mindset lies in its versatility. Once developed, it becomes a powerful tool applicable in various situations and environments.
Let's explore the key principles that contribute to building such a mindset.
Delving into the foundations of a formidable mindset
1. Attitude.
A settled way of thinking or feeling about something.
2. Endurance
The ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way. The capacity of something to last or to withstand wear and tear.
3. Temperament
A person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behaviour.
4. Responsibility
The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone. The state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something.
These four aspects have been a part of my life for more than three decades. I constantly tap into the value they bring as I face challenges, opposition, tough situation, extreme physical activities and the day to day struggles we all have become accustomed to.
Would I say that these four aspects have shaped my mindset? ABSOLUTELY.
The journey that has brought me to this place.
Growing up with three brothers really has its advantages. You always have a friend to play with, you are only in trouble 25% off the time x 4 which means it’s all the time and competition is fierce because none of us like to lose.
The person that has had the biggest impact on my mindset and the development of it has to be my Dad.
You might think to shape and develop a formidable mindset from a young age has to come from a hard, no compromise, drill sergeant. Not really. There are two things that stood out from my Dad. His one liner principles and that his word was his bond (his yes was his yes and no was no).
What I’m about to share are simply memories from my childhood that transcended into principles I use in everyday life. Sometimes it just sounds better in your own language, Afrikaans, so I will add the English translation in brackets.
1. Dis hier waar die seuns van die manne geskei word. (It is here where the boys are separated from the men.)
Whenever we were in tough competition and it looked like we were ready to throw in the towel, whether at home on a Sunday afternoon playing cricket in the back yard or playing for your provincial team in a national tournament, my Dad would expect of us to show up to every occasion as men. It was all about attitude and how you showed up to the challenge that’s in front of you.
Yes, we were boys but we played with the heart of men.
In building a formidable mindset you will need to work on your attitude or the way you approach any given situation.
I like the old saying: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog”. There is nothing wrong with being the underdog, just don’t show up half hearted.
I would recommend that you have someone that holds you accountable towards your attitude. How you show up absolutely matters. I’m grateful for my Dad that raised the bar of expectation when it came to our attitude with which we approached life.
Tomorrow we will look at Endurance.
Have a great day.