Morning Mindset with Paul G. Markel

Focus first on the mission and performing to the highest standard. If you can do that, success will sneak up on you. You don’t have to chase success, drive for it, just do whatever it is to the best of your ability and success will come naturally, sometimes if you don’t even expect it.

It is easier to get motivated if you take the time to get started, getting started requires discipline, and discipline is determined by your motivation. You can motivate yourself if you have no discipline, and vice versa. If you see someone with no drive, no motivation, it’s likely that they have no discipline either.

As we continue with Morning Mindset this week I’m going to discuss a topic that actually was in the show notes for later on, but I decided to move it up because this is the week, well, this is the week that we sprang forward, that we changed the clocks. Every year, like clockwork, you can set your calendar to it... every single year when we spring forward, when we go to daylight savings time, what happens? People complain about it for a couple of days, and then we stop talking about it again for...

Despite all of the shiny electronic gadgetry that constantly screams for our attention, you need to pick up an book, a genuine dead tree version, and read. Amazon.com has over 3.4 million book titles available for purchase. According to Jim Morrison’s teachers, the late singer of The Doors even at a relatively young age, was a voracious reader. The band name was take from an Aldous Huxley novel, The Doors of Perception. Reading is not just for students, reading is for teachers, instructors, etc.

Colonel John Boyd, an Air Force Fighter pilot who was never defeated in a dogfight, was also a master tactician and student of modern warfare.  Boyd used to tell junior officers that in every man’s life he will come to a point where he must make the choice to be someone or to do something.

General George Patton, when referring to confronting the enemy told his troops that “We are going to grab them by the nose, and kick them in the pants.”  That same concept can be translated to daily problems. Patton often irritated his peer and superiors by saying what was on his mind, forcefully, and not simply going along to get along. He was never afraid to tell the Emperor that he was naked.

Who is your Relief Valve? A relief valve allows excess or dangerous pressure to be “bled off” or vented before the pressure becomes too great and catastrophic failure occurs. Everyone needs a person who acts as their relief valve.

Maintaining the Habit. Humans are creatures of habit. That is not a mystery. When it comes to developing good or positive habits often we allow the great to be the enemy of the good. My coach, Matt Reynolds, recently discussed Optimal versus Real life. Regarding strength training, it is better to do something physical, rather than simply to do nothing at all because the conditions are not perfect. The important thing is to maintain the good habit.

Quiet Time is Meditation  Not all meditation has to be that of the eastern philosophical kinds. You do not need to sit cross-legged on a bamboo mat to enjoy and appreciate meditation. Meditation is about give you mind a break, a deliberate and purposeful break. Mental rest is essential for clarity and continued productivity.

Give them a lagniappe, that little something extra. You might have also heard the phrase “give them the pickle”. Let’s talk about the benefits of give people just a bit more than they expected or paid for.

Don’t Cut Corners, Dave’s Way. Why are Wendy’s hamburger patties square? Because, according to Dave Thomas the founder, “we don’t cut corners”.

Earning the Reward. Hot cocoa on a cold winter day. Cold beer on hot day. We understood this concept as children but far too many have lost the understanding of earning the reward.

Don’t tell me, Show me. Too many people spend far too much time telling you what they are going do or want to do, while at the same time too little time actually doing that thing. In beautiful tourist areas, people say they want to move there, but few ever do it. People complain that a situation is wrong, but they don’t ever take steps to make that situation right.

Endurance is the mental and physical stamina that is measured by your ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress, and hardship. For example, enduring pain during a conditioning march in order to improve stamina is crucial in the development of leadership. Develop your endurance by engaging in physical training that will strengthen your body. Finish every task to the best of your ability by forcing yourself to continue when you are physically tired and your mind is sluggish.

Loyalty means that you are devoted to your country, the Corps, and to your seniors, peers, and subordinates. The motto of our Corps is Semper Fidelis!, (Always Faithful). You owe unwavering loyalty up and down the chain of.... To improve your loyalty you should show your loyalty by never discussing the problems of the Marine Corps or your unit with outsiders. Never talk about seniors unfavorably in front of your subordinates. Once a decision is made and the order is given to execute it...