Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins

The book Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins was a really inspirational read. I loved the fact that every chapter ended with a challenge that pushed the reader to take steps to imbibe the lessons taught in the chapter. The life of the author was also an awe-inspiring tale.

From growing up as an abused child in a violent home to recovering from an educational gap and joining the Navy. Becoming a Navy Seal and an accomplished multi-award-winning Ultra marathon runner, this guy had done it all. All while harbouring a condition known as a Ventricular Septal Defect. In other words, a hole in the heart.

It is a sheer miracle that he was able to do all the things he did before discovering his condition without kicking the bucket. But also a testament to his willpower and tenacity that he could accomplish even more after discovering it.

I began this book with high hopes because it was recommended by a close friend, and was not disappointed in the end. There are many lessons to take away from its pages but to give you a taste, I will let you in on my top 3:

1) The 40% Rule

The human brain is a governor of all our activities. As such, when it feels strained it issues warnings in the form of pain or discomfort whenever one is reaching or exceeding its physical capacity. This much is common knowledge.

However, the 40% rule argues that our "governor" is a bit of a wimp, and begins to issue warnings way before we're even close to maximum capacity. In other words, when you start to feel pain or discomfort from physical activity, that's a sign that you're at 40% and still have 60% in reserve.

You can still do much more than your body is letting on so don't be afraid to keep pushing.

2) Armoured Mind

Doing things that are outside of your comfort zone helps to callous the mind against discomfort. The more you expose yourself to such activities, the more calloused and armoured your mind becomes, allowing you to do even more unusual things and thus expanding the breadth of your comfort zone.

Keeping this in mind will allow you to accomplish the kind of things that you may have never thought possible because building an armoured mind means growing your capacity to do things that were formerly out of your reach.

3) The Accountability Mirror

An Accountability Mirror is a mirror onto which you post your foremost goals and aspirations so that every time you look at yourself, you are reminded of who you want to become.

You are encouraged to be as real (and even insulting) as you can be so that these goals hurt. It pains you not to have accomplished them, and the reminder is a slap in the face: a wake-up call.

I picked these 3 lessons because they are the three that stuck in my mind. Not because they are the best or even the most effective. There is so much more that the book offers that I encourage you to buy yourself a copy and learn all the lessons for yourself.

I can't wait to hear about the impact this book has on you and the positive changes you are able to make in your life. As for me, I'm going to revisit all the challenges to make sure I get the most out of them.