“I have been knocked down, beaten up, and kicked in the teeth (literally). I have failed a thousand times, maybe more. Missed reps and missed notes and rejected manuscripts are my M.O. I can’t say the path to self-improvement is easy. In fact, it scares the hell out of people. It scares the hell out of me.”
Minimalist and The Warrior Mindset
I have a slight romantic obsession with ancient warrior cultures such as Sparta and Hellenes. Something about the idea of working for honor and self-respect really appeals to me. If I had to pinpoint exactly what that is, I’d say its the sheer amount of achievement these objectives bring. Through self-denial we focus ourselves. We find our sense of purpose.
Having an I-will-die-for-this attitude is the only way to go through life, which, finally, I can see why that is. Before I spent so much time in a state of indifference; I grew up completely undisciplined, like a cow, almost. I didn’t have that inherent heart of passion, or crazy enough (maybe just non-cow-like enough) role models, I guess.
But at nineteen I realized I wasn’t living up to what I wanted my life to be. So I made the promise to myself that throughout my remaining years I would commit to acquiring skill. I would learn to write, and fight, and play guitar.
I would build a business and my body.
I would commit to these trials. I would not falter in the face of Resistance. I would stick it through no matter what, even if I was killed.
I have been knocked down, beaten up, and kicked in the teeth (literally). I have failed a thousand times, maybe more. Missed reps and missed notes and rejected manuscripts are my M.O. I can’t say the path to self-improvement is easy. In fact, it scares the hell out of people. It scares the hell out of me.
The Warrior Mindset – courage, honor, self-restraint – is not something we are born with. For the most part, we are born all of us as poltroons. We are faint-hearted, clingy and afraid, and carry the traits of selfishness and insincerity throughout our lives until we decide to grab hold of our manhood (or womanhood) and do something about it.
My answer for acquiring the warrior mindset is minimalism. By paring down we are able to focus. By eschewing non-essentials, we gain this amazing lust for life. We want to be more than we are.
Other people have other ways but this way is mine.
You are welcome to join.
Strong ON!
– Pat
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PS – Minimalism is also why I offer coaching, but don’t let everyone in. It’s not that I don’t want to work with everybody. It’s not that I’m trying to be Mr. Exclusive.
There simply has to be a certain expectation starting out that what we’re about to do together, it’s going to be hard. There will be times when you want to quit. There will be times when you (maybe) want to cry. That just isn’t everyone’s bag.
PPS – I’m talking more about Minimalism and the Warrior Mindset in my newsletter on Sunday. Care to join?