The Fortitude Chronicle: A Weekly Digest of Athletic Determination

Monday’s Mindset

One Mindset

Why Fighting Reality is Killing Your Success

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. Whether it's a career setback, a health challenge, or a personal loss, these unexpected turns can leave us feeling lost, frustrated, and powerless. Enter acceptance – the hardest skill to learn.

Acceptance isn't about resignation or giving up. It's about acknowledging reality as it is, not as we wish it to be. It's the art of saying, "This is what's happening right now," without attaching judgment or resistance.

Consider the example of an athlete facing a career-altering injury. The initial reaction might be denial, anger, or despair. But true progress begins when they accept their new reality. This acceptance doesn't mean they like the situation or that they won't work towards recovery. It simply means they've stopped expending energy fighting an immovable fact.

When we refuse to accept our circumstances, we often fall into a pit of negative self-pity. This mental quagmire can be incredibly destructive, sapping our energy and clouding our judgment. It's like trying to swim upstream – exhausting and ultimately futile.

Non-acceptance keeps us stuck in the past or anxious about the future, robbing us of our ability to act effectively in the present. It's a form of mental friction that slows down our ability to adapt and move forward.

Acceptance, on the other hand, frees up mental and emotional resources. Once we accept our current reality, we can redirect our energy towards constructive action. It's like finally swimming with the current – suddenly, movement becomes easier, and new possibilities come into view.

For instance, accepting that a certain career path, aka athletics, is no longer viable doesn't mean giving up on professional success. It means you can now focus on exploring new opportunities without the baggage of "what should have been."

Developing the Skill of Acceptance:

1. Distinguish Between Facts and Interpretations: Learn to separate what's actually happening from your interpretation of events.

2. Embrace Imperfection: Recognize that life is inherently messy and imperfect. Perfection is an illusion that hinders acceptance.

3. Focus on What You Can Control: Channel your energy towards aspects of your life you can influence, rather than lamenting those you can't.

4. Learn to Story Tell and Give Your Situation Meaning in Your Hero's Journey: Reframe your challenges as pivotal moments in your personal narrative.

5. Lean on Relationships: Sometimes, acceptance is easier when shared. Don't hesitate to lean on friends, family, or professionals for support.

Acceptance doesn't mean liking it

It's crucial to understand that acceptance doesn't equate to liking or approving of a situation. You can accept that you've lost your job while still feeling upset about it. The key is to acknowledge these feelings without letting them dictate your actions.

Acceptance is not a passive state of resignation, but an active choice to engage with reality on its own terms. It's about conserving your energy for productive pursuits rather than exhausting yourself in futile resistance.

By cultivating acceptance, you're not surrendering to circumstances – you're empowering yourself to respond to them with clarity and purpose. In a world of constant change and uncertainty, acceptance might just be the superpower we all need to thrive.

Two Quotes

1. "Feeling sorry for yourself and your present condition is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have." - Dale Carnegie

2. "First, forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not." - Octavia Butler

Three Tweets

To Building Fortitude.

 Best Regards,

Colin Jonov, Founder & CEO Athletic Fortitude