Notes on Discipline and Mental Toughness.
NOTE: Tola’s note is a journal about some activities I engaged in during the week(Month). Let's dive in!
Code
Understanding how backend works has made programming very interesting. I built an Project that returns the names of Nigerian rappers. It’s a simple project but it’s eye opening into what the backend developer on my previous team was doing so that he could provide us with API endpoints. I’m currently building a sample project using MongoDB to host my data. I will also share that when I’m done.
I’m also clearing up my schedule to be able to go back to the kind of routine lifestyle I had two months ago. The other, very important aspect of my life outside code got very jealous and I’ve been spending more time with her. I will embark on building my personal fullstack, although I don’t know what the idea would be, but I’d like to build something that would help me in my day to day business.
Books.
I read three books within the last two weeks.
1. You can’t hurt me by David Goggins
2. Navy Seal Mental Toughness : A guide to developing An unbeatable Mind
3.Pit Bull by Martin Schwartz.
I will be reviewing only You can’t hurt me and Navy Seal Mental Toughness alone becaus the third book was just a fun read .
I chose to read books on discipline because I wanted to read something that complimented my driven state at the time. I saw myself as a soldier/ weapon and the only way to make myself better than I was yesterday or last year was to be more regimented. Although I fall short on many occasions, I genuninely believe discipline is freedom and Soldiers and athletes espouse the kind of freedom I aspire for, so I look up to them for inspiration.
I enjoyed reading you can’t hurt me by David Goggins. Goggins was an American navy seal and also an ultra marathon athlete. He wrote stories about almost human impossible feats like running over 160 kilometres under 24 hours, going through Buds training three times to eventually qualify as a navy seal ready for active combat. I got a lot of inspiration from his story, and everyday, I’ve been going on youtube to watch a video of him.
I like how raw he passes his message. Many people would find his style off putting, he uses vulgar languages to communicate his message, if you don’t want someone calling you a m**herF**ker at every little thing, I will advise you not to read his book or find his videos.
One key thing you would learn from the book is, you are capable of sailing your life’s ship in spite of any challenge thrown at you. It’s as simple as that, but for people facing the realities of adulthood, it’s very empowering.
Navy Seal Mental Toughness : A Guide to Developing An Unbeatable Mind.
“You just can't beat the person who won't give up” Babe Ruth.
I read this book because I got really exposed to the life of navy seals in David Goggins’s book so I was interested in knowing what it took to have the same mental toughness as navy seals.
Men who become navy seals are not special, they are people who chose not to give up. I jotted down some of the principles they abide by and I’ll leave it to you to expand on each of these points in your mind to see what lessons you can draw from them.
Principles that guide Navy Seals .
Accomplishing the mission is all that matters.
They don’t hand out 2nd Place trophies in war.
Whatever needs to happen, must be made happen.
Luck is good, but preparation is better.
Never make excuses.
Confidence is gained through repeatedly putting yourself through difficult scenarios that force you to utilise your skills to conquer the objective.
Having an insatiable desire to succeed.
Plan for the unexpected.
Thoughts.
I have no unique thoughts this week, but you can watch this interview between Kelvin Hart and Jay-Z. Two great individuals I admire a lot.
Plans for next week.
Create a plan for the third quarter of year to provide more routine to my life.
Think about the fullstack project I want to build.