Championship Mindset Series: The 40% Rule

How often do you push yourself to actually feel physically fatigued? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being complete absolute exhaustion where you can’t even pick yourself up, where do you normally stop? Have you ever actually challenged yourself to reach that Level 10 fatigue? Finding that Level 10 fatigue is the only way to find your true limits and to see what you’re truly capable of. Yes, pushing there will be uncomfortable, but when it comes to mind-over-body, there is a rule that you must follow. This is the 40% Rule.

The Rule is Simple…

The 40% Rule is a training method used by Navy Seals, some of the toughest and most highly trained individuals on the planet who have mastered the art of pushing beyond their physical limitations. The rule is simple: the first moment you think you’ve reached your limit and need to be done, you’ve really only reached 40% of your limit and therefore are NOT done.

The point where most people quit is the moment they first experience pain, and the natural human reaction when experiencing pain is to avoid it. We are neurologically wired to avoid pain, and our brains respond to all pain in the same way, with avoidance. Stopping at the first sign of discomfort creates a false ceiling that isn’t even half of your true potential.

Uncovering Your True Potential

In order to uncover your true potential, you must increase your ability to tolerate discomfort. The only way to do this is by consistently stepping outside your comfort zone and letting go of the self-limiting thoughts that will inevitably come. It’s easy to stop, listen to that voice, and give yourself an out. This is what most people do. Most people never truly know what they’re capable of because they’re afraid of what might happen. They operate from a place of fear. But if you want to reach your fullest potential, you must be willing accept the temporary discomfort and take yourself beyond it.

It is the only way to become everything you are truly meant to be.