Chapter 10
Create Your Unstoppable Philosophy
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
—Romans 12:2 (Biblica 2017)
In Chapter 5 I introduced the concept of changing your life by changing your philosophy, and suggested that the decisions we make, the things we do or avoid, how we handle success or failure, how hard we work, how long we persist, and whether we change, risk, or sacrifice are all determined by our philosophy. Our philosophy is both a rudder that steers us through life and a filter that influences how we interpret and utilize what lies behind us, within us, and before us. It reflects our thinking and values, which determine our actions, in turn creating our results—for better or worse. As I suggested earlier, wherever you are in life now is overwhelmingly linked to your past philosophy.
For example, the list of “in the zone” actions or mindsets versus zone busters, as they were laid out in Chapter 7, really amounts to a philosophy on how to think and behave—a philosophy that in turn determines whether you spend your time in or out of your zone. This will then determine your level of focus on what matters most, which has incredible influence on the outcomes you create. Part of personal growth, and an essential strategy for becoming unstoppable, is to develop your personal unstoppable philosophy. Some of your philosophy may already be exactly what you need to become unstoppable. Other aspects may be holding you back, and they will need to be tweaked, totally revamped, or abandoned.
In this chapter I will share with you some key components of my own personal unstoppable philosophy—not because it is perfect, or even great (although it works great for me), but to stimulate your thinking about areas your philosophy should and could address. I review my philosophy daily (it is on my phone and computer) as part of my morning mindset routine. It is part of my daily discipline for “renewing my mind” so that I may be transformed into someone more productive, high-impact, peaceful, focused, and unstoppable.
It is not important whether you like, love, or hate my philosophy. That is not the point, and I am not putting it up for a vote. My purpose in presenting it is the same as my sharing in the last chapter how I build my faith. I can speak of matters like these credibly and with conviction since I endeavor daily to live my philosophy. I am not just writing about it or speaking to you theoretically. What you do to create, articulate, refine, or redefine your philosophy is completely up to you. Create a philosophy that works for you, just as I have forged one that works for me. My own has evolved a lot over the decades. There were thoughts and habits I had to renounce, and others that I had to adopt in order to help me get the results I desired. Your own philosophy development will likely follow a similar path.
Please note that my philosophy as stated does not define a level I live 100 percent of the time (I am a work in progress just like everyone else). But it is a standard I strive to, and I measure my growth by how well I live out its various aspects day in and day out. That, in itself, is a key benefit of actually articulating your personal unstoppable philosophy. By defining a standard, you will have something more specific to aspire to, increased clarity for handling various situations, and a benchmark for measuring progress and correcting deficiencies faster.
Excerpts from Dave Anderson's Personal Unstoppable Philosophy
All Things Benefit Me
My mindset is that everything that appears to happen to me actually happens for me, and is part of a vast cosmic conspiracy to help me become the best. I will find a way to use it to move me closer to my goals. Things do not happen to me; I happen to things.
I Stay Ready
I stay ready. I live my life on red alert. When the going gets tough I do not have to get ready, because I never got unready. I do not flinch. I expected it. I love tough times because they toughen me. I love tough times because they give me another test that I pass.
My Body Language Is Powerful and Empowering
My body language and energy level introduce me to others long before I say a word. I consider bad body language to be a bull's-eye on the back of losers who need to be rescued. Thus, I will be more aware of the impact that body language has on me, my teammates, and my foes.
I Renounce Excuses
I do not make excuses, because excuses weaken me and others. Excuses waste my energy and distract me from my WHY. I cannot have a killer instinct and make excuses simultaneously. Through excuses I become less of a person. Excuses also weaken the hearer, as they distract, diminish, and can cause compromise within another person. In this regard, excuses are selfish. Excuses are the DNA of underachievers. They are the language of losers. I renounce them.
I Own It
I take responsibility because owning my results empowers me and keeps me in my zone. Taking responsibility preserves my self-esteem, earns respect, and keeps me moving toward my WHY. Taking responsibility draws others to me, keeps me coachable, combats pride, and engenders humility. Taking responsibility intimidates the weak around me and empowers those aspiring to be strong. Blame makes me a victim. It is the anti-focus and is the language of losers. I renounce blame.
Haters Empower Me
I will not engage, combat, seek vengeance on, or give thought to constant critics or haters—those who see no good, but only wrong in what I do. I will surrender them to God and let Him deal with them. I pray that God builds within them the character traits they lack. I will use critics and their attacks to draw me closer to God in prayer, and conform more to the life of Christ. Their negativity weakens them, whereas my response to their actions keeps me in my zone and empowers me.
I'll Prove Myself
Yesterday ended last night. I will prove myself over again today. I will not borrow credibility, nor rehearse hurts from the past. I will make today a masterpiece.
I Don't Have Failures; I Get Feedback
I do not have failures; I only get feedback. Because of this, I feel no pressure when I make a mistake. I consider feedback a gift that energizes me and helps me grow. So where is the “failure” in that? There is none.
I Overlook “Offenses”
I do not give others the power to offend me. They can say and do terrible things, but they have no power over me, because I choose to invest my time, attention, and energy into what is possible and what is positive. An offense has power to weaken me only if I give time, attention, or energy to it. But I cannot give time, attention, or energy to offenses, because I do not acknowledge their existence in my life. And because they do not exist, they cannot hurt me.
I Cultivate Humility
God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud. I will cultivate humility by serving others, admitting errors, taking responsibility, and striving to improve continually. I will subordinate my own comfort and welfare to what is best for my family, the team, and mankind. Pride comes naturally, but humility must be cultivated.
I'm the Competition
I do not compete with others because I am the competition. I hit my opponents hard, fast, first, and last, and I keep hitting them so they cannot get in a rhythm. Competing with others would indicate that I am trying to figure them out, counter their moves, or keep up with them. But my role is to set the pace, not to play catch-up. My goal is to dominate my opponents mentally, and make them figure me out, keep up with me, and counter my unstoppable approach to all I do. I am the competition.
I Don't Let the External Determine Outcomes
When things out of my control create obstacles, I still take responsibility and maintain control. If I blame conditions, it weakens me and I am admitting I do not have control or a solution. And I always proceed as though I have control and a solution, so I will take control and navigate through adverse conditions by focusing more intently on the things I can directly control. I will not let external conditions dictate the outcome. I own the outcome.
I Guard My Associations
I choose my associations carefully. I hang out with those who bring out the best in me, not the stress in me. No one I spend time with has a neutral impact on my life. In some way, they either elevate me or devastate me. While iron sharpens iron, acid corrodes it. I seek iron because I am iron. Some people I give up so I can go up. It does not mean they are bad people or even wrong; it means they are a bad fit in my life.
I Purvey Positivity and Possibility
I build and cleanse my mind daily, and throughout the day, with what is positive and possible. I give energy to what is good, pure, uplifting, virtuous, and within my control. When negativity and the world's darkness trespass on my mind, I recognize it and replace it with positive thoughts, gratitude, affirmations, and scriptures of light.
Pain Empowers Me
Living and working with pain makes me powerful, because I rely more on mindset—and mental is to physical what four is to one. Pain—physical or emotional—puts me in my zone. It sharpens my focus, stiffens my resolve, and baits my opponents. It causes opponents to dismiss me, which weakens them. Pain makes me dangerous to adversaries, because my survival instincts kick in and take me to a higher mental gear where I have nothing more to lose, and no longer fear pain, since I am already in pain.
I Have Situations, Not Problems
I do not have problems, only situations. Problems weaken; situations energize. Problems are negatives, and I will not automatically label something as a negative, because it may be a positive in disguise. I have problems only if I react wrongly to situations and thereby create problems.
I Use Pressure
Pressure does not exist on me, but for me. There is no pressure in the zone, because focus, energy, and confidence crowd it out. When I make a mistake, I keep pressure off by admitting it and taking it in stride. When I take responsibility, and focus on what I can control, I destroy pressure's chance of invading my zone. My unshakeable body language keeps pressure off me and puts it on others. When I decide to feel pressure, it is solely through my own choice, and results from deliberately enlarging my dreams to intensify my WHY.
I Beat Temptation
When unhealthy temptations present themselves, I do not flirt with them, and I do not fight them with my power; I resist them with scripture and by removing myself from unacceptable situations. Dabbling in sin breaks my attention, wastes my time, compromises my character, and weakens me. It takes me out of my zone. If I spar with temptation, I have given up focus and expended energy. If I resist with God's word, I keep my focus strong, my energy intact, and my mindset clear.
I Pursue Excellence
I aspire to be the best at what I do, but since I cannot ultimately control the capabilities of others, I will focus on being my best. True excellence is not being superior to another, for I may accomplish that and still be less than I once was. True excellence is being better than my former self. And I believe if I continually better who I am that I will ultimately become the best, period.
I Don't Do Revenge
I do not seek revenge, because investing my energy, focus, and time in unproductive pursuits weakens me. Revenge takes me out of my zone. Revenge brings me down to another's level. Revenge pridefully takes on a role reserved for God alone. I renounce revenge.
I Don't Fit In and That's Okay
To lead the orchestra, a conductor must turn away from the crowd. I do not try to fit in with the crowd, because the crowd is, for the most part, uninspired, unfulfilled, and average. It is never crowded at the top, but it is jam-packed at the bottom. There is intense competition among the mediocre. I work too hard to think, read, speak, look, or act like the masses. I set the pace and standard; I do not follow the pace and standard of others.
I Avoid Zone Busters
Zone busters take me out of my zone. They are fatal to focus, break momentum, distract me, and drain urgency and killer instinct. I avoid zone busters and if I slip into one I get out fast. Zone busters include bitterness, blame, excuses, revenge, gossip, disgust, judging, negativity, wrong associations, garbage media, sinful flirtations or activities, jealousy, envy, self-promotion, pride of any kind, selfishness, worry, self-pity, complacency, compromising with mediocrity, taking offense, and the like. Keeping my mindset right is my key to staying above zone busters and living at my potential.
They Don't Matter
People and things that are incidental do not matter in my life and can take me out of my zone if I give them attention. I master the art of not being offended or distracted by people and things that do not matter. This is because at the end of the day, as I pursue my dreams, most of the annoying people and nuisances I encounter daily are incidental, and will not ultimately matter unless I give them attention and foolishly invite them into my life.
I Make Things Right
If I have created a wrong, a misunderstanding, or the conditions for others to take offense—whether intentionally or not—I will take the first step to make it right. Reconciliation, accepting responsibility, and shunning excuses all keep me in my zone. Thus, by making things right, I stay powerful, focused, and in control. I am not responsible for how others respond to my reconciliation effort, and will not expend undue energy in the process. My responsibility is to reconcile quickly and sincerely, and take full responsibility—and then to not look back and to move on.
I Have No Bad Days
As I realize that many people will not ever have another day, I have decided that I do not have bad days. I may have less good moments, but never a bad day. It is only my wrong interpretation of a day's events that make it seem bad. Even days with extreme difficulty bring untold blessings and opportunities: to learn and grow, to become more, to set the right example, to improve my mindset, to make a positive impact, to lift others, to take responsibility, to rely more on God and watch for His hand in things, and more. I never complain about “long days” because I value life so immensely that I consider “long days” as bigger blessings—a chance to do more, become more, contribute more, and make a greater impact.
I Prioritize Relationships Over Rightness
Being right is less important to me than being in good relationships with others. I can work so hard to prove I am right that I take myself completely out of my zone. And I may be right, but I must weigh whether it is worth hurting a relationship over or getting out of my zone for. I am not a doormat, but I am wise to choose battles carefully. Expending energy to win every debate, prove every point, and set everyone straight will not help me become the best or lead me to my dreams.
I'm Grateful
I live with an attitude of gratitude. I begin my day rehearsing and recording what I am grateful for, not by inventorying my misery. I believe the more I am grateful for, the more I will have to be grateful for, because gratitude brings more blessings into my life, whereas ingratitude repels them. I also know it is impossible to be stressed out and grateful simultaneously. Thus, when I feel stressed I will pause to inventory my blessings, not what ails or irks me.
I'm “All In” Every Day
I go “all in” every day. I fully engage and give complete effort. If I do baseline work or demonstrate baseline energy or attitude, I can expect baseline results and a baseline life. Doing less than I can makes me less than I am. I answer the questions “How much is enough?” and “How much will you do?” with “All I can!” If it is not all I can, it is simply not enough.
I'm a Solution
My mind is wired for solutions. I will obsess over solutions, not situations. When a situation arises or something goes wrong, I do not look for scapegoats; I look for solutions and focus others on them as well. This keeps me and others in our zone. Even when I point out situations, I also suggest potential solutions. Staying solution-focused plays to win, keeps me in my zone, and avoids my falling into a reactive or victim status. I focus on solutions because I am a solution.
I Give Grace
Setting everyone straight over every little thing (especially things that in the big picture of pursuing my dreams do not matter) will take me out of my zone. I give grace, cut breaks, and forgive when others err. I believe grace and mercy are reciprocal, and as I give it, I will get more in return. Grace means unmerited favor—it is undeserved, but I give it anyway. I am gracious, not bitter; forgiving, not resentful; merciful, not vindictive. And this keeps me in my zone.
I Choose Cheer
Regardless of what happens to me, I choose cheer. I am in control of my attitude and emotions. My emotions do not control me. Choosing cheer keeps me in my zone, sets a positive example for others, plays to win, focuses on solutions, and lifts those around me. “I choose cheer” is my mantra, my reflexive response to apparent setbacks, disappointments, challenges, or situations I encounter. Since I believe everything that occurs happens for me and not to me, choosing cheer is easy for me.
I Am Light
Because I fill my mind with light, I bring the light of positivity, possibility, gratitude, and solutions into all environments and situations. My positive energy and attitude can shift a mood, a conversation, a crowd, or a culture toward what is good and possible. As I daily enlighten my mind, my mind activates fresh and uplifting words and actions. I bring light wherever I go because I am light wherever I go.
I Will Be Here and Be There
Wherever I am, my purpose is to be there. I will fully engage physically, mentally, and emotionally in the moment, the conversation, the activity, or the solitude. “Being here” will keep me in my zone. All I have guaranteed in my life is the present moment, so I will live in, relish, and maximize that moment. I will be neither in the past, which I cannot change, nor in the future, which I cannot control. I will be here and be there, wherever here and there may be.
I Don't Complain
Complaining takes me out of my zone. Complaining demonstrates ingratitude and entitlement, and likewise creates an unhealthy focus on negatives. Since I see myself as a solution, I do not have time to complain, as my focus is on creating answers or options—complaining would divert my focus from what is possible and positive. Since complaining often wastes precious time and energy on people or activities that do not matter, I stay above it and remain focused and moving forward. And because everything that appears to happen to me actually happens for me, there is nothing to complain about.
No Corrupt Words
I renounce corrupt words because they take me out of my zone, distract others, distort focus, divert attention from solutions, and contribute garbage to the atmosphere. Gossip, disparaging, whining, complaining, excuses, untruths, foolish speculations, deception, unfair criticism, and the like are corrupt, and I will replace them with what is edifying, graceful, merciful, possible, positive, moral, excellent, praiseworthy, admirable, and solution-focused. My words will lift and elevate, not level or devastate.
I Use the Power of NOW
There is power in NOW; there is not power in later, because I may not get a “later.” Thus, I will act on what I know is right, possible, and positive NOW. NOW brings focus, energy, passion, and progress. NOW lets me learn, grow, and contribute. NOW is impactful. NOW is positive. NOW is possible. NOW is energizing. NOW is life, gives life, and helps me live life. I will do it NOW.
My WHY
I am laser-focused on a compelling WHY in my life. My WHY symbolizes my reasons and purpose—why I get up in the morning, and why anyone else should care. My WHY focuses me, energizes me, and gives me purpose, passion, and persistence. I review my WHY daily and it motivates me to act now, to prove myself over again today, to sacrifice, to pay the price, to make each day a masterpiece, and to be totally used up at day's end. I will not lose my way when I am focused on my WHY.
I'm a “Good” Finder
I condition my mind to look for what is good in any situation and any person, regardless of how dour, unproductive, or negative they may appear. When I am tempted to complain or criticize, I will instead find something positive to focus on, give energy to, and rally around. Finding good keeps me in my zone, positive, and focused on solutions and what is possible. I do not live in denial or deny reality. I simply choose to find good in what crosses my path, even when it seems bad, and even if what's good is only a glimmer. I am a “good” finder—a beacon of light in darkness, and a purveyor of possibilities amidst strife.
I Expect the Best
I go into every situation and begin every day expecting the best. I have prepared my mind to handle all situations productively, so of course I expect the best. Even if situations are less than the best, I intend to make them better. I also expect the best from others, and when I do not get it I don't react, but explain what the best should look like and focus on methods to make it happen. I expect the best, am prepared for the worst, and have equipped myself with the mindset and skills to transform the latter into the former.
Now Create Your Own!
Keep in mind that these thoughts and points do not constitute my complete personal unstoppable philosophy, but only what I am sharing in this chapter. These are thoughts I have learned and embraced from mentors, teachers, authors, books, sermons, and more, over many years. In addition to striving to live according to these points daily, I will continue to refine and redefine my personal philosophy in the future so that I may grow to new levels of personal and professional achievement, and expand my ability to help others do likewise. I share more in-depth applications of these particular points on my podcast, The Game Changer Life, which you can subscribe to at no cost. If you like any of these, you may wish to incorporate them into your own personal unstoppable philosophy. Tweak the words, adding or deleting parts to your liking. Whatever philosophy you create, refine, or redefine, it is important to review it often in order to rewire your mind in a manner that makes the thoughts and their subsequent behaviors reflexive, automatic, and natural.
Mission Unstoppable
To become an unstoppable game changer, consider and act on the following elements:
- Set aside time to write out your personal unstoppable philosophy. If you cannot articulate it, you cannot expect to execute it (at least not with consistency or conviction).
- Understand that creating the ultimate unstoppable philosophy will be a work in progress, and something that you will continue to refine, expand, and redefine throughout your life.
- Ensure that your philosophy addresses key areas like handling success or supposed failure, work ethic, character choices, relationships with others, taking responsibility, and the like.
- Determine which aspects of your current or past philosophy have caused you to do less than your best, settle for less than you should, develop unproductive habits, or make ineffective decisions. Ensure that these aspects of your philosophy are revised and improved.
- Use additional and helpful resources to help yourself and others create game changer performance. Read the book As a Man Thinketh by James Allen (Allen 2015).