How Can I Get 1% Better Today?
The answer – Accountable Reckless Belief
Your mental mindset cannot waiver in pursuit of your goal.
Create a circle of people that stand by that mindset with accountable recklessness of belief.
EVERYONE else’s opinion doesn’t matter in your pursuit.
I was sitting in a side stadium with thousands of athletes about to walk into the Olympic opening
ceremonies with Team USA. The track and field throwers were all in one area and there was a lone
wrestler dude sitting by us. The dude was overconfident as he told us he was going to beat the Russian.
Many Olympic athletes are unknown, but everyone knew the Russian, Alexander the Great, who was
undefeated in international competition for 13 years and multiple years without giving up a point to an
opponent. All of us semi-laughed to ourselves and said: “Good luck, buddy”. Later, we discussed that
there was absolutely no way this dude was beating the Russian.
That dude was Rulon Gardner. He absolutely beat the Russian in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic
history. I do regret my thoughts toward him. It is human nature. We size up things and have opinions. It
is why there are political, athletic and business shows, and social media influencers. People want to have
and hear ideas. Often people want to say he will never make it, you can’t do that, she isn’t that good, why
would they think they can do that because it just seems impossible?
Rulon Gardner had no doubts he was going to win. You have to have this confidence in order to achieve.
Your mental mindset cannot waiver no matter if other people’s thoughts or reactions feel that it isn’t
possible, fearing your weaknesses, seeing the opponent do things you don’t, or when adversity is thrown
into the path.
Later Rulon spoke about his team: his coaches, family, and training partners that all believed in him the
way he believed. At times when he wavered in thought, they were there to give him the reckless belief he
was going to beat the greatest. Reckless seems unhealthy due to its dictionary definition, but in this
scenario, it just means thinking what others seem impossible without caring about their beliefs. When
Rulon waivered in the process they were there to hold him accountable for his actions to reach the goal to
win gold.
You will have tough choices on who is in the circle. You love your mom, but your mom only says
everything you want to hear and gives no accountability to your actions. Love your mom, great shift her.
She is in your village but probably isn’t in the circle. She doesn’t need to know that. Accountable belief,
you can’t say/think one thing if your actions don’t match. Those in your circle must follow that belief also.
A teammate pushes you day in and day out and will hold you accountable if the last set you did was less
than your best. She is pointing out the truth to help you reach the goal, not tear you down. Keep her in
your circle. Accountable belief is that those who have your back are allowed to give you needed
feedback, and you can trust them to listen.
The media that slates you as overrated, or the armchair quarterback who thinks you play like the kids at
the sandlot is similar; they all fall into the category where their opinions don’t matter. In one ear and out
the other. It is harder said than done, but you must do it.
Your mental mindset cannot waiver! You control your mindset by choosing wisely who you let in your
circle, keep in the village, or decide that their opinion doesn’t matter. Why not you? This takes
accountable reckless belief from you and your circle.
Guest Writer – Teri Cantwell, OLY, 9 X All American (Shot & Discus), Collegiate Record Holder, World Bronze
Medalist, 2 X USA National Champion, 2 X NCAA National Champion, 1998 NCAA Field Athlete of the Year
(Shot Put), Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Central Bank
John Perry