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1-Page Summary of Stronger
“Psychological Body Armor”
Everyone wants to succeed, be satisfied and happy. Developing resilience is the best way to get those things. Resilience means getting back up after being knocked down and continuing to fight. It also means turning adversity into triumph by staying optimistic about your future success.
US Navy SEALs are a special type of soldier. They have an uncommon mind-set that enables them to succeed in the worst conditions imaginable. The US Navy SEAL creed says, “There’s a person who stands ready to answer the call when times are tough and he is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.”
To be successful in life, you need to have a positive attitude. You should always try to look for the best in every situation and not let negative thoughts get the better of you. If you can maintain this attitude through tough times, you will be able to operate intelligently under pressure and maximize your performance when it matters most.
1. “Active Optimism”
When you are actively optimistic, you become a catalyst for change. Your optimism influences your actions and makes it possible to overcome any obstacles in your way.
An optimistic attitude can result in positive physiological changes. These changes include higher adrenalin, noradrenalin, gamma-Aminobutyric acid, neuropeptide Y and cortisol levels. This surge in hormones gives you better recollection, quicker reactions and greater awareness and strength.
Optimistic thinking is key to being happy and successful. People who are passive optimists hope for the best, but active optimists work hard to make sure they get the best. If Navy SEALs fail, it could mean life or death for them, so a negative attitude can be dangerous. Their philosophy is that success happens because you make it happen.
Stanford University’s Albert Bandura believes that people can develop self-efficacy, a manifestation of active optimism, by taking these steps. First, start with small successes to boost your confidence. Second, watch other successful people who have attained their goals and assume you can do the same thing if they can. Thirdly, seek support from others because it makes achieving your goals easier. Fourthly, be calm and look beyond instant gratification; control your urges and stay healthy so you don’t become distracted or unproductive in attaining success.
2. “Decisive Action”
When you are facing a temporary setback, be prepared to act with courage. It will enable you to make tough decisions under pressure and take action on them. To rebound from this situation, it is important to be decisive about your choices and move ahead without fear. You must learn how to leverage adversity in order for that growth process to happen.
Halo Effect
People respect decisive action. This halo effect makes people admire and respect those who act decisively. People will see their actions as praise-worthy, career enhancing, and potentially beneficial to the organization. To get over these obstacles:
Fear of failure can be paralyzing. Al Neuharth, who founded USA Today, says that failure can actually be a gift. In 1952 he and his friend put $50,000 together to create SoDak Sports, which lasted for only two years but was the basis for USA Today.
Some people make fun of those who are different. However, the difference often leads to success. In fact, in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers, he says that it is often the case that those who succeed do so because they were not afraid of being ridiculed for their differences.
“Procrastination”– Every action comes with a time limit. If you wait too long, the opportunity will vanish and never come back. Mark Twain said that he was often unable to see an opportunity until it had already passed him by. To overcome this problem, use what Alan Lakein calls “the Swiss cheese technique.” Break down your tasks into small steps that can be completed one at a time in order to get them done more quickly and easily.
