The Fighter Mentality is not only something that comes to life AFTER something goes wrong, but more something that is awake 24/7 and always on the look-out.

Whenever a fighter is faced with an obstacle or challenge or smells one coming, he/she immediately kicks into mode and starts preparing for the fight. I’ve spent the last 5 years evaluating what I do and I’ve found a consistent patter.

How To Overcome Obstacles – FIRST, Prepare For The Worst…

I know that sounds like old and re-hashed advice, but hear me out.

I’ve learned that in order for me to face a problem head-on with a clear head, I have to ACCEPT (100%) the WORST possible outcome that could happen.

What do I mean by this?

Here’s a personal and fairly extreme example.

When I was in the ICU a couple of years ago, many nurses told me that I was probably the happiest patient they had ever seen with the best attitude (just to note, I was internally bleeding profusely, could not even stand up without risking heart overload and had already gone into shock from blood loss once).

So, yes, pretty serious situation.

This was a point in which the “Fighter” kicked in. I evaluated the situation and determined the WORST case – it was that I may die, I’m not trying to be dramatic – just proving a point.

Save All Energy For Positive Thoughts...

If I was going to “fight” this situation and come out on top, I had to put 100% of my energy on positive things and focus on getting better, I could not spare even ONE second “fearing” the worst. So, I simply accepted it.

I accepted the fact that I had lived a good life and that if I die, it would be amongst my loved ones and that if I was going to go, I would make it a point to go with a smile on my face.

It took me a lot of convincing myself, but I did accept it. At the SAME time, I determined that “if they’re gonna take me, Ima go down swinging!”

So, I was very motivated to fight and WIN. I focused 100% of my energy on motivating myself and taking every situation one step at a time.

In the end, I was able to completely focus on getting better and I did. I had accepted the worst possible situation and so I no longer feared it (and was prepared for it).

The next time you have an obstacle ahead of you – face your fears. Pretend as if the worst has already happened. Plan your way OUT of that situation, accept it and see how much easier it is to stand and fight.

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Every now and then I see a story that really strikes me and reminds me again why the “fighter mentality” is so important. Unfortunately many who are not stuck in dyer situations are not motivated enough to awaken the fighter mentality…

I found this video recently of Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon professor who encompasses everything I mean when I say “Awaken The Fighter Mentality.”

The video is called “The Last Lecture” for 2 reasons.

1. He used to do this lecture on “life happiness” every year as it is anyways and it would be his last lecture.
2. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and told that he had 6 months to live, so unfortunately in it’s most literal sense, this IS his last lecture.

I was very excited to see his attitude, enthusiasm and it did nothing but motivate me (as well as saddened me a bit to see his situation). Yes, he is still alive today, you can follow his health and great enthusiasm at the following blog:

http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/news/

Watch this video and think, learn and grow. It’s about 75 minutes long, so shut your door, grab something to drink and enjoy!

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