When you think of a warrior, chances are you imagine a weapon-wielding, leather-wearing action hero who's always up for a fight. But consider for a moment what it would take to actually be a warrior who has seen battle and managed to stay alive and sa10

Warriors know how to live in the present moment

A Warrior Must Be Fully Present

Imagine how long a warrior would last in the heat of battle if their mind was off obsessing about what their partner is  up to or debating about what netflix movie to watch next.  A minute or two maybe?  No, a warrior must, as a matter of survival, be fully present because it allows them to react quickly and make decisions that could mean the difference between life and death.  By having their awareness fully present in the moment they can tap into their “flow” state allowing them to make split-second decisions that are in line with their goals and objectives - namely to stay alive and master their enemy.

The Only Moment That Matters Is Right Now

Remaining anchored in the present is crucial because it is the only moment that we will ever have available to us. The past is gone, and the future is yet to come, so the only moment that truly matters is right now. When our awareness is fully focused in the now, we are able to experience life to the fullest and apply our energy to opportunities as they present themselves. We are not burdened by regrets from the past or worries about the future. 

Keep Your Awareness Focused In The Present To Act Effectively Now

As we allow ourselves to be distracted by thoughts and emotions that are not relevant to the situation at hand we drain away our energy and awareness to act effectively to situations that are presenting itself right now. In the end spending time outside of the present leads to poor mental health.

Warriors embrace their fears and challenges with courage

To To Take Action A Warrior Must Embrace Their Worst Fears

There is probably no other circumstance like the battleground in which  a person must face their most visceral primal fears and move beyond them so they can take massive and sustained action. If they did not then they would be rooted to the spot with their fatigues stained with pee.

Don’t Allow Fear To Control You

Fear is a natural emotion, honed by millions of years of evolution, that arises in response to situations that are threatening or dangerous. However, when we allow fear to control us, we become paralyzed and unable to take action. This can lead to missed opportunities and a sense of helplessness, anxiety, which in the end lead to depression.

We Must Acknowledge And Embrace Our Fear

Embracing one's fear with courage means acknowledging the fear without allowing it to control us. It means stepping outside of our comfort zone and taking action despite our fear. This requires a willingness to be vulnerable. When we embrace our fear with courage, we develop a sense of inner strength and resilience that allows us to face challenges with confidence and grace.

Mastering Fear: Break It Down And Confront It In Small Steps

The key to mastering one's fear is to acknowledge and accept that you are feeling it and confront it head-on by exposing yourself to the circumstance of your fear.  The best way to do this is to break it down into smaller steps.  For example, if you are afraid of public speaking, to overcome it you are going to have to get up there and speak in front of others.  But you don’t have to start by giving a 45 min presentation to a critical  audience of 2000 people. Start small, take the opportunity to speak up at meetings, join toastmasters or volunteer for a role that involves talking to small groups of people for short periods of time.

With courage,  time,  and practice one can master just about any fear and thus live a more fulfilling life.

Warriors are capable of being vulnerable

The Paradox Of Vulnerability: Why Warriors Must Embrace It 

The concept of a warrior being vulnerable may seem paradoxical, but it is a crucial aspect of their strength. Being vulnerable means being open and honest about one's emotions and experiences, even when it is uncomfortable or difficult. It means acknowledging one's weaknesses and imperfections, rather than trying to hide them or pretend they do not exist. In fact, it is essential that a warrior knows what their weaknesses are so they can compensate for them or improve on them.   For warriors, vulnerability is a  strength, not weakness.  What is more, it allows them to connect with others on a deeper level, build trust and empathy, and ultimately become a more effective leader.

Overcoming Isolation And Disconnection Through Vulnerability

In today's world, where vulnerability is often seen as a weakness, it is more important than ever for us to embrace it. The pressures of modern society can be overwhelming, and many people struggle with feelings of isolation and disconnection. By being vulnerable, and open to others we can foster a sense of community and belonging that is essential for mental and emotional well-being. In doing so we can show others that it is okay to be imperfect, to make mistakes, and to ask for help when needed.

Embracing Vulnerability For Resilience And Adaptability

Moreover, vulnerability is essential for personal growth and development. When we are willing to be vulnerable, we open ourselves up to new experiences and opportunities for learning. We become more resilient and adaptable and able to face challenges with courage and grace. This is particularly important to enable us to adapt to changing circumstances and make effective decisions in high-pressure situations. 

Warriors find joy in the simple things, despite hardships

The Power Of Enjoying The Simple Things In Life

Warriors are known for their resilience and ability to overcome hardships, but what sets them apart is their ability to find joy in the simple things. Despite facing difficult and often horrifying circumstances, warriors are able to appreciate the small moments of beauty and joy that come their way.  The old admonishment to  “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die '' is very much that of a warrior's mindset.

Stay Focused On What Is Truly Important 

Finding joy in the simple things is important because it allows us to maintain a sense of hope and optimism, even in the face of adversity. It helps us to stay focused on what is truly important and to find meaning and purpose in our lives. Enjoying a beautiful sunset, spending time with loved ones, or simply taking a deep breath and appreciating the present moment allows us to stop and come back to the present moment, which is the only moment we actually have available to us.  

The Simple Pleasures: A Key To Reducing Stress

Moreover, finding joy in the simple things is essential for mental and emotional well-being. In today's fast-paced and stressful world, it is easy to become overwhelmed and lose sight of what is truly important.  By taking the time to appreciate things that can trigger moments of joy can reduce stress, improve our mood, and cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment.

Warriors are sure of their own inner strength.

Inner Strength Starts With Self-Awareness

Inner strength is a crucial aspect of warriorhood. It refers to a deep sense of self-awareness, confidence in one's abilities, and resilience that allows warriors to face challenges with courage and grace.

Cultivate Inner Strength To Maintain Emotional Well-Being

Warriors are exposed to high levels of stress, trauma, and uncertainty, which can take a toll on their mental and emotional health. A certainty and confidence in their inner strength will facilitate a sense of inner peace and contentment, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty thus allowing them to stay grounded, centered, able to make decisions and then take action.

Practices To Build Inner Strength

How one develops and cultivates inner strength is way beyond the scope of this blog but here are a few habits that will go a long way to cultivating inner strength:  

• Practice self-compassion and gratitude, 
• Focus  on your strengths and accomplishments rather than your perceived weaknesses or failures. 
• Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who lift you up and inspire you.
• Prioritize self-care and rest, allowing yourself time to recharge and replenish your energy. 
• Practice mindfulness
• Practice meditation 
• Explore and embrace a stoicism

Warriors are disciplined and focused on training their skillset

The Importance Of Practice And Mastery For A Warrior

Clearly, a warrior who does not practice and master their weapon would not last long on the battlefield. In fact, their life depends on being disciplined and focused on honing their skills.  Part of this discipline includes setting goals and tracking progress. Warriors know that in order to achieve mastery, they must have a clear sense of what they are working towards and how they are progressing towards that goal. This means setting specific, measurable goals, and regularly tracking and evaluating their progress. And, above all, putting in the time to practice and doing the hard yard.

Setting Goals And Tracking Progress For Achieving Mastery

A warrior who does not practice and master their weapon would not last long on the battlefield. Their life depends on being disciplined and focused on honing their skills. Part of this discipline includes setting goals and tracking progress. Warriors understand that in order to achieve mastery, they must have a clear sense of what they are working towards and how they are progressing towards that goal. This means setting specific, measurable goals, and regularly tracking and evaluating their progress. Above all, though, it means putting in the time to practice and doing the hard yards.

Excellence And Fulfillment Require The Mastery Of A Skillset

This warrior mindset is not only important on the battlefield but also in day-to-day life. Being successful in relationships, careers, hobbies, sports, or, for that matter, any area that is of value, requires the mastery of certain skills. Those who don't discipline themselves to master the skill set required for their field of endeavor will always be mediocre and surpassed by those who do. Therefore, it is essential for each of us to find at least one skill set that can serve ourselves and the world at large and do everything in our power to master it. In other words, we should strive to be good at something that is useful and can generate value. By adopting this warrior mindset and applying it to our daily lives, we can achieve mastery, success, and a measure of fulfillment.

Warriors hone their  physical strength, determination, and endurance.

The Importance Of Physical Strength And Fitness

Most of us have within us the potential to live a happy fulfilling meaningful life. But the difference between those that achieve this and those that don't often comes down to discipline, focus and a willingness to put out some sweat. But one thing that is often not emphasized enough, is physical strength and fitness.

Excellence Requires Mental, And Physical Toughness

Of course, warriors are known for their physical strength, determination, and endurance. It's just  part of the job description.  Think of special forces training and the incredible feats of strength and endurance they must go through to even be considered for a spot on the team.   They understand that success and victory require not only skill, but also the mental and physical toughness to push through challenges and setbacks. This same mindset can be applied to our daily lives, regardless of whether we are warriors or not. 

The Foundation of Physical Strength: Exercise, Nutrition, and Rest 

Physical strength and fitness are foundational. This doesn't necessarily mean becoming a bodybuilder or a professional athlete. Rather, it means taking care of our bodies through regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting quality sleep. When we are physically strong and healthy, we have the energy and stamina to tackle challenges and pursue our goals with confidence.  What is more, exercise has a powerful impact on our neuro-pysiology.  When we exercise we are smarter and happier. 

Pushing Through: The Power of Determination

Another important aspect of the warrior mindset is determination. Warriors understand that success often requires persistence and a willingness to push through difficult times. This same determination can be applied to our daily lives, whether we are pursuing a career goal or working on a personal project. By maintaining a sense of determination and perseverance, we can push through obstacles to find inspiration, often in hidden places.

The Long Game: Endurance and Consistent Effort

Finally, the warrior mindset emphasizes the importance of endurance. Warriors understand that success is not achieved overnight but rather through consistent effort over time. This is often overlooked in today’s fast paced world where desires can be fulfilled at the click of a button.  However, to achieve things that are truly magnificent often requires endurance to do the hard yards when it matters. 

Warriors must be prepared to face whatever comes, good or bad.

Accepting the Unpredictable: The Importance of 'It Is What It Is

Have you ever been in a similar situation where, say, your car blows a head gasket and dies in a cloud of steam and some one says “hey man, it is what it is”.  If you are  like most of us, this “advice” can be super triggering. But hidden in this somewhat annoying phrase is an incredibly important concept.  That is, shit will always happen, you can’t go back in time and change that it happened, so accept it and move on. 

Setbacks are Inevitable: Accept What Is and Move On

Warriors understand that life is unpredictable and that setbacks are inevitable. What is the old adage - “No battle plan survives contact with the enemy”.  Instead of being caught off guard by the unexpected, warriors  prepare themselves by cultivating inner resilience and the mental agility to adapt.  But the real secret sauce is the capacity to fully accept things as they are, right at this moment. Literally, accepting that - it is what it is.  A warrior does not have the luxury to waste precious time and energy by getting angry and railing against something that is already a fact. Yes, they may go on to do something to rectify the situation but they do so from a space of great clarity and focus.

The Power of Mindfulness: Navigating Life's Challenges with Grace

To cultivate the ability to face whatever comes, good or bad, we need to develop a sense of inner stillness and detachment that allows us to accept the present moment as it is and respond to it with our awareness and resources firmly anchored in the now, which as it happens is really the only time we will ever have.  The past is gone and the future is unwritten.  Approaching life with this sense of mindfulness we are less likely to be overwhelmed by difficult situations or setbacks, and more able to navigate them with grace and wisdom.

Warriors don't look for a fight, they look for an honorable resolution.

The Real Tough Guys Take A Non-Violent Path

Have you ever noticed that a ninja, MMA, jujitsu, boxing super deadly martial artist type dude is often the least likely to get into a bar fight. That is because a  true warrior understands that while conflict is often inevitable, it is foolish and wrong to seek it out unnecessarily. Instead, they approach conflict with a sense of calmness and detachment, preferring  to resolve the situation in a way that is honorable and just.

The Wisdom Of Knowing When To Walk Away And When To Fight 

The lesson here is that a warrior needs to possess wisdom and discernment to  know when to walk away and when to stand and fight.  The ability to do this not only takes wisdom, it also takes inner strength and resilience.  For example, if someone flips us the finger in the traffic, would a warrior follow them and break their legs because they  feel insulted?  No, of course not. They have the inner confidence and strength to let it go and remain centered.  They do not become a puppet to egoistic out-of-control emotions. 

Warriors know how to rest and recuperate.

Take Time To Rest And Recuperate Or Burnout

Have you met someone who is always on the go, bragging that they put in 16 hour work days and then running marathons on the weekend. You just know that at some stage, they are going to crash and burn.  There is actually a name for it.  Burnout.  The thing is we are not machines.  Both warriors and high performance corporate executives understand that  rest and recuperation are vitally important. They know that taking time to rest and recharge is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Without proper rest,our body and mind will eventually become exhausted and performance will suffer.

You Perform Better After Rest

This has been the subject of research.  For example, one study, published in Nature magazine, found that sleep quality, duration, and consistency are associated with better academic performance. Of course, we all know this. When we are exhausted and worn down we are just not able to go the extra distance and be creative and productive when we get there.

Bottom line?  Take time to rest and do fun stuff.

Concluding remarks

As we learned from Sun Tzu, the author of The Art of War,  the warrior mindset is all about preparation and knowing yourself so you can take the best possible action in any given situation. We can't all be the strongest, fastest or most powerful, but by applying the warrior mindset we can marshal what resources we do have to achieve the best results possible.