Don't Flinch

This topic is a bit more advanced and is meant for someone who is pursuing greatness. When it comes to being the very best at something the margins are thin. Someone with a little more talent, know-how, or execution may beat another person out by the smallest of amounts. While the difference is small, it’s a very important amount because that narrow gap has major implications.

For example, in “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy this difference is evident. An example Darren uses relates to golf, and how the #1 in the world who plays only 2.7% better on average than the 10th in the world earns 5x as much money in tournament payouts. The #1 is only slightly better, but receives a much different financial outcome.

With that in mind, one of the differentiators at the top is an ability to move fast, which brings us back to today’s topic - Don’t flinch. When you flinch, you hesitate for the briefest of moments. You reflexively react in the smallest of ways in preparation of protecting yourself. However, in those moments where you lose concentration, your competitor is taking one more step forward, leaving you one step behind.

When I think of not flinching I think of a few things. The first being mindfulness, and not getting too emotionally wrapped up in what’s going on around you. The second is concentration, being so good at staying on task that little disruptions don’t knock you down. And last is preparation. Having thought through various situations in advance so that you know the proper response and can act on it before too much time has passed.