You are an Overcomer!
Overcome- (v.) succeed in dealing with (a problem or difficulty).
This definition from Oxford Languages couldn’t suit the purposes of this post any better.
Like many things in life, certain tasks we are to address require particular skill sets. When talking about “overcoming”, what skills sets are the most applicable to this process? When we find ourselves in the midst of said problem, what can we fall back on to help carry us over to the successful outcome we desire.
Based on my own experience, I’ll share my top 3 unbreakable mindset skills that have brought me through numerous tests in life.
1. KEEP MOVING.
The worst position you can put yourself in is idle. We want to leverage our actions, not compound our problems. The moment you begin to buck your daily program by skipping the alarm, skipping your workouts, calling out from work, or by ignoring your responsibilities. YOU ARE TOAST. Look, you’re going to sit and stew on your problems anyway, right? So why create more problems to pile on top of our current one? Get into action, stay in action. Go for a run, do the dishes, mow the lawn, just stay in motion!
2. LOCATE, CLOSE WITH, AND DESTROY THE ENEMY.
When I was in the Marine Corps we were taught to move through our enemy. MOVE. Then blow through them, overwhelming violence of action and I’m DOWN! But that means nothing if we don’t know where they are. Same with our problem. So how do we locate the source of our current situation, circumstance or problem? My personal favorite method is detachment. I like to leverage my action by creating a space to remove myself from my mind and my body. The goal is to get an objective look at everything. Take the mental high ground, remove the emotions and turn the momentum of the battle. By simply closing your eyes, taking a deep breath and relaxing you are already halfway there. Now, watch.
3. PERSPECTIVE.
I’ve found most often that the outcome of a situation or circumstance is completely dependent upon HOW I AM LOOKING AT IT. Our human brains are brilliant reasoning machines, and they are forever hardwired to make connections. What it looks like is us, being in our head, creating stories. The worst part is that most of us are not in CONTROL of the machine, and it runs itself. It creates stories without us even knowing at times and before you know it, we are living out limiting beliefs that we never wanted or know are there. It is so important to cut it off at the pass and take CONTROL. When I choose to see a situation in light of HOW I want to see it, I define the meaning of the story.
To be transparent, it has taken the last decade of consistently showing up to work to develop myself in these areas. Furthermore, I still fail, I am only human. Yet, I want to part with these final remaining words as they have rung so loudly and so true in my life and if you are an overcomer, then they will ring true for you as well.
INVICTUS
by
William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.