Defeat is a Choice: What you Need is The Grit to Stay, Win and Win Again
Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals
Based on Research Conducted by Angela Duckworth, “Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals”
“This study found that grit, defined as a combination of passion and perseverance towards long-term goals, was a better predictor of success than factors such as talent and intelligence.”
And as Stephen King Famously Said “Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”
The biggest challenge anyone can face is to face defeat in anything they do, it could be in their career, finance, education, or whatever.
The feeling wrenches your heart and makes you feel sore. Especially when you’ve given your best at what you easily failed at.
One of the first things that stuck to my heart after my first two failures was to always expect challenges in whatever I do and Go head-On with an Infinite Mindset.
Months before I had this understanding, I’d set up a plan, from just thinking about it, I am already excited and elated and can’t wait to get started. Truly I start but Just don’t continue.
Challenges pop out like raining missiles, I find myself struggling to understand what’s happening, and when I think about the plan, I seem not to find the excitement — it goes bland.
I simply tap out and did not continue, not because the challenges were too tough, but because I had unrealistic expectations about the plan, which made me vulnerable to disappointment.
Now, When I have an idea, I do not get excited, I brood for weeks on it, share it with a few friends, think about it, check out all the possible ways this could fail, and separate my emotions from logic
I start any project, idea, or plan ready to face any challenge and get it done. I do this with an Infinite Mindset. To Stay, no matter what, and get it done, in spite of any challenges.
Someone I respect a lot called this type of Mindset “To Wield the Staying Power”. Where you stop only when you’ve finished, not when you’re tired, or exhausted by challenges.
This kind of Mental Strength is Learnt. No one is Born with it. And You too can learn the Grit to Win and Win Again.
The Grit to Stay, Win and Win Again: The 10 Years War between America and Vietnam
I first learned about The Infinite Mindset from Simon Sinek, first in a Youtube Video where he talked about it and then his book — The Infinite Game.
He defined a Finite mindset as one that is focused on winning or achieving a specific goal. It is driven by short-term thinking and the desire to beat the competition.
And then defined an Infinite mindset as one focused on continuous improvement and growth. It is driven by long-term thinking and the desire to create something that will last beyond the individual or organization.
One thing to realise is that the Fixed mindset is a subset of the finite mindset that believes that intelligence, talent, and abilities are fixed and cannot be changed or developed.
Whereas the Growth mindset believes that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. This is a subset of Infinite Mindset
In one of his talks, he shared a story about how these mindsets played out during the Vietnam War. I particularly found this story to be noteworthy.
During the war, the United States had a finite mindset.
Their goal was to win the war as quickly as possible, and they measured success based on the number of enemy soldiers killed and the resources they had to spare for the war.
They had a fixed set of rules and a clear strategy that focused on short-term gains.
On the other hand, the North Vietnamese had an infinite mindset.
They were fighting for a cause they believed in and were willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
They had a flexible strategy that adapted to changing circumstances and a long-term perspective that allowed them to endure losses and setbacks.
This difference in mindset played a significant role in the outcome of the war.
While the United States had more advanced technology and firepower, they were unable to achieve its goal of winning the war quickly.
The North Vietnamese, however, were willing to suffer losses and continue fighting until they achieved their objective of reunifying the country.
And When America figured they were spending too many resources and will not be able to achieve its goals, they pulled out of the War and North Vietnam Won.
While listening to him, this thought stuck out to me, “Play Long term”.
You should Understand that Challenges always come.
I believe it’s criminal to have a huge plan for Education (maybe to Finish top of the class), for Career (to have your dream Job),
For finance (To clear off your debt and Save More) for literally anything, and yet you do not expect challenges.
Preparing your mind to face challenges puts you at a vantage point, and deciding to get what you want gives you a massive edge.
It’s not the desire to win you should prioritise. Rather, it is the Will to keep Fighting. To Stand up again and Push Forward and Do it better this Time.
The Infinite Mindset is learnt. No one is Born with it. And You too can learn it.
Developing an Infinite Mindset: Stand up again. And Push forward. Do it better this time.
Naval Ravikant once said “All Returns in life, whether in wealth, relationships, or knowledge, come from compound interest”
And this is true. One key understanding of Compound Interest is To adopt a strategy that emphasizes long-term goals and sustained growth rather than focusing on short-term gains.
The principle of compound interest illustrates the power of sustained effort and dedication over time and highlights the importance of making small but consistent investments in your future.
And that’s the first step to Developing an Infinite Mindset.
Where you adopt a way of thinking that prioritizes long-term goals and sustainability over short-term gains. While this is the first step, there are others which include
Embrace a growth mindset
Recognize that you are capable of learning and growing and that failures and setbacks are opportunities to learn and improve.
Embrace challenges and be open to new experiences.
Focus on a higher purpose
Clarify your personal mission and values, and align your actions with that purpose.
This can help you stay focused on the bigger picture and avoid getting bogged down by short-term obstacles.
Build a resilient Network of People
Surround yourself with people who share your values and are committed to your purpose. Invest in developing their skills and empowering them to take ownership of their work.
Be adaptable
Accept that change is inevitable and be willing to pivot when necessary.
This means being open to new ideas and perspectives, and constantly reevaluating your approach based on new information.
Keep learning
Stay curious and seek out new information and insights. This can help you stay ahead of trends and adapt to changing circumstances.
Practice empathy
Build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders by actively listening to their perspectives and understanding their needs. This can help you build trust and foster collaboration.
Conclusion
By adopting these practices, you can develop an infinite mindset that will enable you to navigate challenges and uncertainty with resilience and adaptability.
Overall, the infinite mindset is about embracing change and adapting to new circumstances, while the finite mindset is focused on achieving a specific outcome.
A growth mindset is crucial for individuals who want to succeed in the long term, while a fixed mindset can hold people back from achieving their full potential.
Always remember, It’s not the desire to win you should prioritise. Instead, prioritize the Will to Keep Fighting
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