David goggins
The no one sees part of his life
Life Talks From David Goggins:
One Man’s Philosophy On Growth
Considered by many as one of the toughest men in the world alive right now, David Goggins is a retired navy seal, an ultramarathon runner, and a motivational speaker. However, his narrative is beyond the achievements of marathon running or being a navy seal; it’s a story of breaking limiting beliefs and surrendering his weakness to become his strength. The life lessons that Goggins has shared through his books and podcasts, including Can't Hurt Me and Never Finished, have become the main source of motivation for people eager to make a personal radical change. Here are some of his most impactful and life-changing lessons that brought him fame and success for anyone wanting to achieve their goal.
Seek Out Discomfort
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable was one of the most crucial lessons that Goggins had to learn through the most difficult and rough situations in life. The essence of his life motto is summarised in the quote “You have to be willing to suffer to grow.” Links to his life experiences speak volumes in that regard; be it navy seal training exercises or ultramarathons, Goggins has shown us what it takes to succeed and achieve our goals, and it all comes down to one’s ability to endure. Pain has to be welcomed rather than avoided, because it directly correlates to one’s potential and what role a person assumes in life.
Don't Shy Away From Accountability
One of Goggins’ most notable tools is the “Accountability Mirror.” As a self-imposed bullied overweight teenager, he had to work on his goals and put sticky notes with his affirmations on his mirror. Every single day, he was faced with his own reflection and took responsibility for his life. This straightforward principle highlights the significance of being beaten up by the reality with oneself. If you want to achieve something, you should first admit where you are being at fault and accept the burden of your actions.
Callous Your Mind
Goggins frequently talks about ‘callousing the mind,’ which is prepping your mind with tough circumstances over and over again. While hands are toughened and develop calluses due to hard work, the brain has to go through stress in order to toughen up. Whether it is getting out of bed early to prepare for a workout, dealing with a tired self, or failing at something, anything that comes your way is a challenge and calls the brain.
Get the Work Done with No Excuses
According to Goggins, he has never liked any sort of excuses, as they do not help in progress at all. It’s much better to accept one’s fate than to be excuse-filled. His experience of becoming a professional athlete started when he was a 300-pound pest control operator. His recovery was not humorous. His every muscle hurt for two months while he trained on repetition after repetition, which ultimately paid off. Therefore, he claims, hardship is a precondition for success. Understand this: results are reliant on work; that is the only dependence, and even if it seems difficult, you should persevere.
40% Rule
One of Goggins’ most popular concepts is the “40% rule. “If you feel like you are about to give up, ask yourself how much you have accomplished, and his advice would be, “40%—you have achieved only 40%.”. This mindset is challenging to assist us in realising that we are able to reach beyond our expectations and self-imposed limits... With work, fitness, personal projects, and so on, it is the 40 Percent Rule that reminds us that we can do more and more.
Find Your Why
Throughout the book, Goggins keeps reiterating the fact that having a strong reason for your goals is imperative. For him, the one reason that mattered most was the 'why' of proving to himself that he could move past his old self and his treatments. You will need something to help you push harder and want to keep you on your objectives, and when you have a goal clearly in your head, it makes sense. When you understand the end goals you aspire to, you also tend to commit to succeeding more and more with the time, irrespective of what challenges are put in front of you.
Turn Pain Into Power
Goggins grew up in an environment filled with abuse, racist people, and lots of poverty around him. Instead of living life with so much pain and seeking comfort, I got in shape for glory. According to him, there is always a potential to turn the tables and make our struggles our biggest strength. His narrative, Goggins tackled his pain, elevated his life, and inspired the masses, stands true for a lot of us. There are millions out there who want to achieve something but always use past struggles as an excuse; his story reminds such people why to face challenges when you can overcome them.
Do Not Ever Settle Down
For Goggins, achievement is absolute, and there is nothing that one should ever look for other than the process. He has only one word for that:hard,“”, that is, each great achievement should be followed by even greater goals. It is this greatness that should never let a person be satisfied. Goggins emphasises the fact that man should always seek something new and better, as this helps him or her evolve and grow.
The Strength of Imagination
Imagination is certainly another of Goggins greatest tools in achieving success. He goes a step ahead and rehearses the events in his mind. This boosted the men’s confidence, believing that they were going to succeed. It is possible to employ this habit in any other aspect of life where there is a need to expect a challenge that is likely to come along in order to be ready for it.
Change in Strategy
Nothing can be better than life, therefore falling short is part of the game, or, as one may say, falling down is part of the battle. It is also the first lesson that Goggins wishes to impart, which is to change and win at all costs. And that includes all the life challenges, such as sustaining responsibility with regard to injuries, failing, and even unexpected events. His ability to recover out of needs and criticism is indeed an awesome point of discussion.
Final Thoughts
The life of David Goggins is a testimony of powerful endurance and discipline. Unless something is difficult, it does not seem worth doing, and that is where the motivation lies. Incorporating his theories into our lives almost guarantees that we shall get to the next level without fail.
As Goggins put it, “You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft that you will die without ever realising your true potential.” Take that as an inspiration to go past the self-imposed limits and become more than you have ever imagined. It will definitely be a lengthy struggle, but as Goggins suggests, it is a fight worth fighting as the rewards are more valuable.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Maxamed Sharif and writers in Motivation and other communities.
There’s No Tomorrow:
In a world where time is constantly slipping through our fingers, the phrase “There’s no tomorrow” holds a powerful and urgent meaning. It's not just a poetic saying or a dramatic expression—it's a philosophy. It challenges us to stop waiting for the perfect moment, to stop procrastinating, and to stop believing that life is something we can put off. Because in truth, tomorrow is never promised. All we truly have is this very moment.
By Maxamed Sharif10 months ago in Motivation
Dream Big. Work Bigger
Dreaming big has always been celebrated. From childhood, we are encouraged to imagine limitless futures, to picture ourselves succeeding beyond ordinary boundaries. Dreams give us direction, hope, and a sense of purpose. But dreams alone are fragile. Without action, they remain ideas—beautiful, inspiring, and incomplete. That is where the second half of the phrase matters most: Work Bigger. “Dream Big. Work Bigger.” is not just a motivational slogan. It is a mindset that acknowledges a hard truth many people avoid: extraordinary dreams demand extraordinary effort. The size of your dream sets the destination, but the size of your work determines whether you ever arrive. The Power of Dreaming Big Dreaming big is an act of courage. It requires you to think beyond your current circumstances, resources, or limitations. Big dreams often feel uncomfortable because they challenge the identity you currently hold. When you dream big, you are admitting that you want more—more growth, more impact, more meaning. Big dreams also create clarity. They help you define what truly matters to you rather than what is merely convenient or expected. A bold vision acts like a compass, guiding decisions both large and small. When your goals are clear, distractions lose some of their power. You begin to ask better questions: Does this move me closer to my dream, or further away from it? However, dreaming big has its risks. Big dreams can intimidate, not only others but also yourself. They can invite doubt, fear of failure, and the temptation to stay comfortable. This is why many people quietly shrink their dreams over time. They convince themselves to aim lower, not because they lack potential, but because they underestimate the effort required to aim higher. Why Working Bigger Matters More Hard work is often misunderstood. It is not simply about working longer hours or exhausting yourself. Working bigger means working with intention, discipline, and consistency over a long period of time. It is about aligning your daily actions with your long-term vision, even when motivation fades. Working bigger requires patience. Results rarely appear quickly, especially when the goal is meaningful. The effort you put in today may not show visible rewards tomorrow, or even next month. This delayed gratification is where many people give up. They mistake slow progress for failure and stop just before momentum builds. It also requires humility. Working bigger means accepting that you do not know everything and that growth often involves learning through mistakes. Feedback, setbacks, and moments of doubt are not signs that you are on the wrong path. Often, they are evidence that you are stretching beyond what is familiar. Most importantly, working bigger requires consistency. Talent may open doors, but consistency keeps them open. Small actions, repeated daily, accumulate into powerful results. Writing one page every day eventually becomes a book. Practicing a skill regularly transforms ability into mastery. Working bigger is less about dramatic bursts of effort and more about showing up, again and again. The Gap Between Vision and Reality Many people live in the gap between what they want and what they are willing to do. They admire success stories without acknowledging the years of unseen effort behind them. Social media often amplifies this misunderstanding by highlighting outcomes rather than processes. The truth is less glamorous but far more empowering. Success is usually built quietly. It is created in early mornings, late nights, and moments when no one is watching. It is shaped by choices that feel ordinary at the time but prove extraordinary in hindsight. Bridging the gap between vision and reality means being honest with yourself. Are your daily habits aligned with your dreams? Do your actions reflect the future you say you want? This honesty can be uncomfortable, but it is also freeing. It gives you control. Once you recognize the gap, you can start closing it, step by step. Redefining Failure and Progress Working bigger also means redefining how you view failure. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process. Every attempt teaches you something—about your strategy, your mindset, or your limits. When you work bigger, failure becomes data, not a verdict. Progress is rarely linear. There will be periods of rapid growth and long stretches where nothing seems to change. During those quiet phases, the temptation to quit is strongest. But often, those are the moments when the foundation is being built. Growth happens beneath the surface before it becomes visible. Learning to appreciate progress, even when it is subtle, helps sustain momentum. Progress might look like improved discipline, clearer thinking, or greater resilience. These internal shifts often come before external success, and they are just as important. Living the Mindset Daily “Dream Big. Work Bigger.” becomes powerful when it is lived daily, not just repeated. It shows up in how you manage your time, how you respond to setbacks, and how seriously you take your own goals. It means choosing long-term growth over short-term comfort and commitment over convenience. This mindset does not demand perfection. It asks for effort, honesty, and persistence. There will be days when you fall short, when energy is low, and when doubt is loud. Working bigger does not mean never struggling; it means continuing despite the struggle. In the end, big dreams are not fulfilled by chance. They are earned through consistent action, thoughtful effort, and the willingness to keep going when the outcome is uncertain. When your work grows to match your dreams, something powerful happens. The future you once imagined slowly becomes the life you are building. Dream big, because your potential deserves space. But work bigger, because dreams only come alive through action.
By Saboor Brohi 5 days ago in Motivation
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.