Mindset First, Action Second

“If you want to teach someone to be a great hockey player, you don’t teach them the slap shot. You teach them how to think they’re a great hockey player because they’ll make the slap shot happen.” – Seth Godin

That quote really hit me this morning when I was listening to a recent podcast interview Seth Godin did on The James Altucher Show.

Mindset really is the the foundation for learning anything. If you’re not mentally invested in whatever you seek to know, you’re not going to progress. The people who are most invested in acquiring something are not only going to get better but they’re also going to thrive.

I’m obsessed with getting my mind right so I can do the things I most want to do.

When I say getting my mind right, that means surrounding myself with things that make me feel confident, positive, optimistic, inspired, and motivated.

How do I do it? Journaling, books, podcast interviews, YouTube videos, movies, conversations with friends, etc.

But what works for me may not work for you. You know yourself best, so focus on the things that get your mind right.

In terms of what I most want to do, it depends on what’s going in my life. Right now, I’m trying to get a new job since I just moved to San Francisco. I’m also trying to establish a daily blogging habit so I can become a better writer, consistently serve my audience, and hopefully get more exposure. These goals will change over time, and I’ll deploy my mindset against whatever my new priorities are.

Speaking of deploying your mindset, you must apply it towards something, or you’re wasting your time. Don’t gas yourself up 24/7 and not take action on things. There needs to be some sort of follow through.

Channel it towards the areas in your life where you want to see growth. Do this on a daily basis and you’re going to become exponentially better over time.

Instead of worrying so much about the specifics of how you’re going to accomplish your goals, place trust in your mindset that you will figure it out. Because if you truly care that much about something, you will.

Originally published at www.thelifeofriley.co on August 25, 2018.