📖 Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins
Topic: Mindset | Medium: Audiobook | Rating: 5/5
Outline
A memoir of David Goggins and a testament of human potential. He could have been another "statistic" to domestic violence, learning difficulties, speech impediment, racism and an impaired heart. But he became the outlier, decorated with an extensive military resume, ultramarathons, public speaking and the Guinness 24-hour pull-up world record with 4,030 repetitions.
Why I read this book
To fuel that fire in me and to stop procrastinating with my goals.
Three takeaways
1. Be empowered by your story
“The more I took inventory [of my life], the more I realised I was prepared for the fucked-up events to come. . . . Life had put me in the fire, taken me out and hammered me repeatedly. . . . I would become the sharpest sword ever made.” (Goggins 2018, ch5)
We all have our struggles, insecurities, and failures. We also have our achievements, aspirations, and lessons. Use the hard times as a reason to fight, and the good times as a “cookie from the cookie jar” reminding you what you are capable of. They all serve their purpose in preparing you for future challenges.
Lately, I’ve been using the “cookie jar” technique by reflecting on my past achievements – the feats I didn’t think I’d be capable of. Trust in the hard work you put in. We are all someone to be proud of. You are your own hero.
“Find power in everything negative in your life.” (Goggins 2018, ch1)
In owning my story, I always struggled with my self-worth. Believing I wouldn’t amount to anything, and that I’d be going to hell. That was my cross to bear, but it empowered me for success and happiness. My past instilled self-awareness, armed me with the tools to protect my well-being and the audacity to keep going.
2. Callus your mind
“You have to build calluses on your brain just like how you build calluses on your hands. Callus your mind through pain and suffering.” (Goggins 2018, ch6)
"The human body can withstand and accomplish a hell of a lot more than most of us think is possible. And it all begins and ends in the mind." (Goggins 2018, ch6)
Develop mental toughness by callusing your mind. Stick to your goals when your motivation and willpower wanes. Push through when faced with boredom, doubt, pain, and failure. Our minds are hardwired to seek comfort which can hold us back from reaching our potential. So, we need to constantly push its limits and create a new baseline of what it perceives as enough.
“You want to get to the point in your life where everything that you should’ve done, but you didn’t do. It bothers you.”
Not achieving your goals, not practising those daily habits, not living to your potential – it needs to bother you. Lately, his voice is etched in my brain. When I know should get out of bed, journal, meditate it “bothers me”.
3. We are only using 40% of our potential
It's daunting to stick out and have big dreams. But I think we all tend to underestimate what we are capable of. And it's easier to sit in our comfort zone than step into the unknown. I don't think the message is that we need to be at 100% every day. But what if we performed at 60% or 80% today? How would that feel?
“Most of us give up when we’ve only given around 40% of our maximum effort. Even when we feel like we’ve reached our absolute limit, we still have 60% more to give."(Goggins 2018, ch7)
"I knew I wasn't going to quit . . . and once your mind knows it's not going to quit, something happens. It starts to say "oh ok I guess we need to find more" . . . if your brain is in control, and you are in control of your brain, you will find more." (Goggins 2018, ch9)
Thoughts/reflections
I read this book because my motivation was coming and going in waves. And I was procrastinating more than I would like. From reading this book, I learnt that motivation isn't enough. Your initial enthusiasm with your goals will dissipate, so you need to develop a mindset that will still push through doubt, boredom and failure.
In callusing my mind I've become more adamant with my ideal daily habits and tested the limits of my fitness. In the past few weeks, I've achieved a few PBs including bar muscle-ups, pegboard climbs, and a 1-arm handstand hold. I am continually humbled at what the human body can do, only limited by my mind.
It's not about matching his achievements or anyone else's. It's about your own journey and how you can show up differently today. The funny thing is that when we do push ourselves, we get stronger and our baseline increases. So, the pursuit of growth is a never-ending process. But it’s truly crazy what we are capable of.
So, bring on the challenges, pain and discomfort as part of the growth process. Because it’s always a good time to level up.
Recommendation
If you need a new mindset coach (and don't mind lots of swearing) I highly recommend this book. Specifically the audiobook version. The additional interview sections made this for me.