Earlier, we saw that changing our actions and behavior, changed the results we were getting.  That’s easier said than done.  Oh, we can change our actions for a short period of time without too much difficulty.  The question is, how do we change our behaviors and actions, on a long-term, or even a permanent basis?

To achieve Peak Performance, and world-class success, we must attack the cause, instead of trying to fix the effect.  We must eradicate the disease, and not just treat the symptoms.  Our results, in any area in life, are mere symptoms of the disease of our beliefs.  What!?  As a coach, I can tell exactly what a client believes, simply by looking at their results, and the behaviors/actions, they practice day in and day out.    We all take action, and behave, based on what we believe.  For example, I believe that cars and trucks can hurt me badly, therefore, I always look both ways before I cross any street.

In between our beliefs, and our actions, are a few contributing factors, our feelings and our attitudes.  We act a certain way based on how we feel about something, and our feelings come from our attitude about that thing.  BC (before Corps), I was fat and very unfit.  My actions, of eating chips and laying on the couch, were activities (or lack thereof) that I felt very good about, or more accurately, made me feel good and comfortable.  I had a bad attitude about physical activities and vegetables, and I didn’t feel good and comfortable running, and eating healthful foods.  My Drill Instructors, quickly changed my attitude, which eventually changed my feelings, my actions, and finally my results.

But my Drill Instructors added one last piece to the puzzle.  They changed my beliefs, about fitness and nutrition, permanently.  How? They changed my programming, they brain-washed me.  The changed how I viewed myself.  I entered Paris Island, viewing myself as the fat kid that always got bullied. I exited, a lean, green, fighting machine.   They accomplished this by changing the language I used about myself.  Each night before lights out, we would stand at attention in front of our racks (bunks, for the army-minded amongst us).  The Drill Instructor would give the command to get into the rack, when this happened the entire platoon would say the following “affirmation” or program about ourselves,

“Devil Dog, Shock Troop, Blood-sucking War Machine, Ready to Fight, Ready to Kill, Ready to Die, but Never Will!”

Gruesome? Maybe, but they were training professional warriors, the ones who run towards the guns, not away from them. The ones who close with, and destroy the enemy, by fire and maneuver, so that our fellow citizens, and their children, can sleep soundly.  Was it effective? Well, after 28 years, that “program” is still running so strongly, I can still quote it, and my behavior certainly shows it. (Ask my wife! Hah!)

Brain-wash yourself.  Write out a” program” of how you want to see yourself, and say it every night at lights out.

Boo Yah!