How to Build an Undefeated Mind

“Celebrate your success at persevering –  at not giving up.

The essence of victory lies in the act of refusing to be defeated.

Let success mean you’re committed. Let failure mean insufficient progress.”

These words have stayed with me. They come from Alex Lickerman’s insightful book The Undefeated Mind, and I revisit them – and others – to keep my own mind undefeated.

Here are a few that continue to provoke reflection:

• “The true purpose of acceptance is to be more comfortable feeling pain.
• Rate your level of anxiety moment to moment.
• Mistaken beliefs are as resistant to shattering as a brick wall is to our running through it.
• The true path of turning failure into success is almost never the one we imagined.
• Obstacles may conspire to change the path.
• A problem is solved when it no longer makes you suffer.
• The quality and quantity of value we create for others contributes most to our happiness.
• Our level of happiness affects the happiness of those closest to us.
• Do at least one thing each day that supports your personal mission.”

Own the Conversation

Think of an area in your life where you’ve been quietly beating yourself up for not hitting the mark. Now – shift your perspective. Move to a calm, pleasant space – and for just 10 minutes, or even five or two minutes – do this:

• Reflect not on the gap between you and the goal, but on your refusal to quit.
• Celebrate the fact that you’re still moving forward.
• Let that be a mark of success.