Wednesday, October 14th, 2015 - 45 minutes

Show Notes
Overview

When things are good, life is easy. However, when things aren't going our way, what can we do to improve the situation?
Life will invariably throw us a curve ball. There will be down turns. Words only cannot prepare you for these down turns. You must be emotionally prepared.
It's easy to turn on the TV. It's easy to back away from challenges. However, whatever pursuit you choose, you must enjoy the grind. You must enjoy the good and bad.
Fake it until you feel it.
When I say that I "deserve" something, a red light goes off internally. I don't deserve anything. Human beings use some nice tricks to take shortcuts and convince themselves something is alright. I worked out, so I "deserve" this cake.
We are capable of more than we can imagine. Only when we are pushed do we discover this potential.

[2:30] We all get on that train where everything is great. We have the momentum. We show our good side. How can we possibly continue to keep that good side showing?
[3:45] In March Madness, when a 16 seed competes against a 1 seed, it’s very possible to have a great first ten minutes. They came prepared and brought their A-game for the first ten minutes. However, the difficult part is the not the first ten minutes. The difficult part is the second half.
[5:00] You can’t always think positively. You will inevitably have a down day. Once the better team gets the edge, it’s over. Once you lose the edge, you fall into a destructive pattern.
[6:15] If you make the best of your time in the valley of down turn, you emerge stronger. Sometimes, it is beneficial to take a break in order to get rejuvenated.
[7:00] When we hear about an idea, we get excited and ready to go. People want to start a business or a new project. In the beginning, they are extremely excited. But, all it takes is two weeks and invariably, the positive emotions subsides and the person gets derailed.
[8:00] It’s so easy to quit and give up. It is the easy road. The only way to keep pressing on is to keep the right mindset. You have to be mentally prepared for these downturns, so they don’t catch you by surprise. Down turns are the norm. They are to be expected.
[9:00]

"This concept is so hard to stick. No words can prepare anyone for these down turns. This podcast will not prepare you. You must get in the zone. What you do behind close doors is what matters. Integrity."

[9:50] When Gavin starts a new job, he gets amped up and excited. He is full of confidence in order to go where he wants to go. Gavin wants to have a home in a different home. This is his vision and goal that keeps him pressing on.
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[11:10] When you are able to produce at a high level and everyone simultaneous likes you, that is CEO status. However, we all have a lazy bone in our body.
[12:10] The snooze button is the devil. Figuratively and literally. If you snooze your dreams and goals, you will fall behind.
[13:20] We all have a negative person in our minds that brings about negative thoughts. The way to overcome this phenomenon is to “fake it until you feel it”. If you feel a lack of motivation, you must force your mindset.
[14:15] That negative thought will always be there. How easy would it be if I just quit? How easy would it be if I just watched TV all day? It’s so easy. At the end of the day, when Erik looks back, the most meaningful endeavors were felt after accomplishing a difficult task.
[15:45]

"In the moment, things may appear to be a grind. However, I must love the grind. If I don’t love the grind, then I am doing something wrong. Looking back, I am glad that I pushed myself through the grind."

[16:45] Erik’s goal is to have a lake house. Erik wants to own his own plane and have his pilots license. Goals like these drive my day to day activities. Those vivid images are a driving force for where I want to go in life.