The knife that John Rambo used in all those movies, is beyond just cool looking.  It’s more than just a handy piece of gear.  It is his go to utility tool.

That thing saws trees, has a compass in the handle, fishing line, waterproof matches, a sewing kit, is a weapon but also a tool to make weapons, (both defensive and offensive), great for hunting, building shelter, used to cut a tarp into a poncho, and on and on.  (I’m surprised Ron Popeil wasn’t selling them as part of the Chop-o-matic package.)

Rambo had many tools, bow and arrow, M60 machine gun, Soviet helicopter, and that thing around his head that looked like a neck tie.  Mental Toughness is the same way, we have a lot of different tools to use, depending on the situation.  Like Rambo’s knife, I have a go to utility Mental Toughness tool, (which also would give the Chop-o-matic a run for its money).

My Mental Toughness version of Rambo’s knife is called Emotional Compartmentalization.  This tool has served me very well over the years, as it has many other professional warriors. It’s a strategy we use to avoid the inevitable clouding of one’s focus and judgment that is caused by conflicting emotions or thoughts.  Professional warriors will “box up” fear, anger, depression, worry, guilt, anxiety, grief, and misery.  Once packed away, and abandoned in a mental storage unit, (waiting for some knucklehead to yell, “Yuuuuuuuup!” at the next auction), we can go about the business of performing at peak levels, unencumbered.

Whatever emotional roller coaster you feel like you are on, decide immediately to get off.  Take a minute and a deep breath, and imagine packing up your frustration, anger, worry, etc. into one of those rubber storage bin thingies from Walmart or Target.  Close the lid and make sure it’s sealed.  Take it to the storage unit and place it inside, drive yourself back to real life/real time, and get back to performing without the excess junk you just boxed up.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, yell out, “Rambo’s Knife!” You’ll feel better, (just don’t do it at the airport security line).

Boo yah!!