Your brain loathes uncertainty. Ambiguity is it’s enemy. So, when it senses something “unthinkable” just happened (Think 9/11 to giving up a 75 yard touchdown on the first play of the second half if you’re UCF vs KU yesterday), it naturally seeks certainty instead of the time consuming processing of alternatives. This is why so many seek certainty the old fashioned way – they give up.
Quitting brings clarity.
Fighting to the finish requires mental toughness built by training for such moments prior to the adversity. Train your brain to preload not panic. Prepare for adversity. Practice breathe control to calm the anxious mind when overwhelmed. Process alternatives. Widen perspective with the help of others whenever possible. Pick a path forward. Choose PA (productive action). Rinse and repeat until the fog clears and finish line appears.
Uncertainty is increasing. Same for anxiety and panic attacks. Stop giving up. Try preloading something like this when the unthinkable happens. Tell yourself:
Breathe. Accept what happened. Face fears. Act into ‘em. Look up. Get up. Never give up. Trust your training (and teammates when applicable). There, that feels certain, huh. Good.
Live hard. Love harder. Much harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 