As I wrote  in my blog CHOOSING THE RIGHT MINDSET (12.27.17), the right mindset takes courage and diligence; it can help you step out of your comfort zone to deal with the curveballs life throws at you.

When I arrived in Beaver Creek Colorado for the Mountain Man Winter Triathlon years ago, I heard it from MANY naysayers, e.g. “no way a flatlander from south of the Mason-Dixon line (sea-level Dallas Texas) could even finish.”  It was a high-altitude race that included elevation changes of over 14,000 feet, all the while cross-country skiing, snow-shoe running and speed skating; “Winter Ironman.”  Even the course description was most intimidating, “it is one of the most brutal tests of winter mountaineering the human body is capable of performing in one day. Contestants should be prepared to spend the entire race in the unpredictable weather patterns that the winter mountain climate has to offer.”  Yikes!  Plus, I had never cross country skied or even worn snow shoes (I describe how I overcame the physical challenges of the race in my upcoming book).

For me personally, perseverance, overcoming fear and being intentional are the key components of a winning mindset. It’s really more than attitude. It goes deeper, to conviction of action and creating a habit of the mindset that wins. Mindset helps you through when circumstances are challenging. Mindset makes you a stronger person over time.

The mind can be strong as it can overcome almost anything. Perseverance is a tool of the mind to keep on going in spite of the circumstances and what seems reasonably possible. Perseverance is about keeping on with something even when you don’t see immediate results. It comes from having the faith and tenacity to know that the process will produce the results.

Specific goals set you on a path that you choose. Goals, when you stick to them, make you accountable to taking intentional actions. You can ask yourself if what you are doing is taking you closer to, or further away from your goal. Being intentional about everything from what you say to what you do helps you be in charge of your life, rather than it being in charge of you.

The first step for dealing with fear is to acknowledge it.  Ignoring it won’t make it go away.  The problem is most people cling to their fears. Learning to deal with fear is all about putting your negative thoughts in perspective.  Instead of thinking of something bad that can happen, think of a positive outcome.

Mindset is so impacted by a positive attitude.  The winning mindset doesn’t mean that we don’t look at something that needs to be changed and address it.

About the blogger @TomHulsey

After Tom beat cancer and achieved his post-surgery goals, he turned his focus to education and advocacy.  He is a Board Member at ZERO The End of Prostate Cancer,  volunteers at the Baylor Scott & White Cancer Health & Wellness Center, and a Reviewer for the DoD’s (Department of Defense) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.   He is the author of the soon-to-be  released book, THE WINNING MINDSET THAT SAVED MY LIFE. Net proceeds from book sales will be donated to cancer research.