Anticipate
Thinking ahead is a weapon. We all have a built-in ability to imagine how a chosen course might play out — mental time travel. Used alone, it gives you an advantage. Used with careful preparation and simple planning, you can start to manipulate time.
Chapter 1
Think Better
In 1892 the Royal Marines introduced a new drill book: leaders of all ranks are to be taught to think for themselves, to act on their judgement, and to depend on their own resources. That is where it all starts. Take charge of your mind. Understand it, harness its potential, unlock its power.
Mental readiness has three elements: self-control, self-awareness, and knowledge, skill and experience. Master the things you control. Accept the things you don't. Your mind is only as strong as your life needs it to be — choose a challenge and you will build a mind that is ready for a challenge.
A decision without action achieves nothing.
Chapter 2
Be Prepared
Thinking (T) x Doing (D) = Personal Admin (PA). The doing is at risk from two disruptive factors: procrastination and distraction. Deal with both. Set a timer and start. Turn off the alerts. Don't take your phone to bed. Don't pick it up first thing in the morning. Just don't.
Use simple performance aids. Six honest questions: What? Why? When? How? Where? Who? Write checklists. Learn what you control. Build your own feedback loop — action, information, reaction, development.
Make it basic to make it easy.
Chapter 3
Practise, Practise, Practise
Start with the basics. Small repeatable actions — habits and drills — that become automatic in about 90 days. Rig your environment to work for you. Find a buddy; motivation is contagious. Start small: a tray by the door for your keys, cash and phone. Muster your kit. Start today properly, and start tomorrow at the end of today.
Building new habits is not hard; shaking old ones is.
The tools and the workbook for this section live in the members area.