In Special Forces, I was trained to survive being captured in combat. Here’s the most powerful lesson I learned:
– The mind gives up 40 times before the body does.
This isn’t just Special Forces wisdom – it’s the key to breakthrough performance.
Think about it:
• You hit a wall in business ( ✅ Been there)
• Your motivation crashes ( ✅ Everyone’s story)
• Problems seem overwhelming ( ✅ Daily battle)
• You’re ready to quit ( ✅ Natural response)
As we learned in training:
The moment you think you’re done is when the real growth begins.
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
• Small wins compound (start small, can be even 1 push-up)
• Comfort is the enemy (seek daily challenges)
• Progress beats perfection (always)
• Rest is a weapon (not a weakness)
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆:
• Break big goals into micro-missions
• Build recovery into your plan
• Focus on the next step only
• Create systems, not goals
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸:
You wouldn’t survive capture by thinking about next week.
So why are you overwhelming yourself with future problems?
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲:
Mental toughness isn’t born – it’s built.
It’s not talent – it’s training.
It’s not magic – it’s method.
Your breakthrough is closer than you think.
You just need to keep going when everyone else quits.
What keeps you pushing through?
–
About the picture: Dutch Special Forces Commando. Awesome picture by Dutch Defence Press: Give them a follow on Instagram.
PS: Enjoy this?
Ready to build your own Epic Life?
Join my community of subscribers to the Epic Life Newsletter here>https://robin-coenen-newsletter.kit.com/53c375a1b4