Today’s Dadly Daily Declaration comes from Chapter 4 (titled #1. When You’re a Cleaner, You know exactly who you are.) of Tim Grover’s book, Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable. In this chapter, Grover argues that we are born relentless but taught to relent. By this, Grover writes that we’re born already wired with the most basic survival instincts. We don’t think about our needs, don’t analyze our feelings, don’t plan or decide how to get what we want. We instinctively know what we need to survive and scream or cry to get satisfaction. So, we are completely, naturally, insatiably relentless. Then, we’re taught or required to be quiet, sit still, stop crying, wait our turn, abide by someone else’s rules, etc.
In this chapter, Grover posits that Cleaners abide by their natural instincts, use rules and conventions to work for them, break rules when needed, and don’t think about restrictions or ability to be the best. He writes, “Everything you need is already inside you. You are completely wired with instincts and reflexes specifically designed so you can survive and succeed. You don’t have to think about using them, they’re always working.”
Another gem in this chapter follows: “The greats never stop learning. Instinct and talent without technique just makes you reckless. Instinct is raw clay that can be shaped into a masterpiece, if you develop skills that match your talent. That can only come from learning everything there is to know about what you do…But real learning doesn’t mean clinging to the lessons. It means absorbing everything you can and then trusting yourself to use what you know instantaneously, without thinking. Instinctive, not impulsive…quick, not hurried. Knowing without a doubt that all the hours of work have created an unstoppable internal resource you can draw on in any situation.”
So, here is what I discovered today from this chapter:
There is zero chance you’ll get anywhere if you allow yourself to come paralyzed by soft excuses and countless reasons why you’ll never get to where you want to be. Trust your gut to navigate the hard road to get there. The satisfaction and sense of achievement will blow your mind when you finally arrive, knowing you arrived on your own with only your instincts to guide you.
Stop thinking. Stop waiting. You already know what to do.
