The 40 + 1 Rule for Success

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Have you ever heard of the 40% rule?  

The rule was made famous by the Navy SEALS ans states that "When your mind is telling you you're done, you're really only 40 percent done."  When you think you are absolutely exhausted - you still have 40% left.

I have used the rule numerous times throughout my life to push myself when my mind was telling me to stop.  It works.  And when you do use it to bust through a mental limit, you increase your capabilities and the level at which you can perform.

But, over the years, I built upon the rule to make it even more powerful.  I call it the 40 + 1 Rule.

The 40 you get.  It is the knowledge that you always have the 40% reserve, but the "1" is how I supercharge it to push myself even further and harder.

So, what is the "1?"  It is the addition of your deepest, strongest "Why" for why you are doing what you are doing.  You can apply the 40 + 1 Rule to anything.  Life, relationships, fitness, business, whatever.  The key is to understand the fact that you always have 40% and anchor unleashing that 40% to the deepest, strongest "why" for that area of you life.

For example, in training for the Iron Man Triathlon, my deepest, strongest "why" is the show my daughter that you can accomplish great things - things that many would never attempt or say are too hard (or in some cases impossible).  For those of you that don't know what an Iron Man is, it is the ultimate Triathlon where you swim 2.5 miles in open water (Ocean), bike 112 miles, and then run a marathon (26.2 miles) back to back concurrently.  A bonus for this is that I also have an equally strong why to break through my own mental limitations and increase my mental reserve for doing great things.

When you combine the 40% rule and your why, you create a mission for yourself that drives you more than you have ever driven yourself before.  And this leads you to new levels of success, fulfillment, and accomplishment.

Take time to understand the 40% reserve that you and to find your deepest, strongest why(s) for each area of your life.  Then go out and make it happen!