Have you ever watched a professional fight before? When a fighter gets knocked down to the mat during a match, they have ten seconds to get back up and regain their composure, or they are disqualified and the fight is over. During the time they are on the ground, the referee starts counting. Everyone who is for the fighter that’s on the ground begins to shout the words, “Get up!” The trainers, spectators, fans, and even those watching from the comfort of their own homes by television are probably yelling, “Get up!”

When that fighter gets back up, the crowd begins to cheer as they go on to continue the fight. You see, they were knocked down, but not out. They overcame that obstacle and showed a resilient spirit that energized them to get back in the fight.

That’s how it is when you finally make the decision to go after your dreams. It’s like stepping into a boxing ring and contending with all the opposition that is going to come against you. At times you might even feel like you just stepped into the ring with Mike Tyson. A left jab, a right cross, an upper cut, and a bite on the ear—and down you go. The referee starts to count, and you’re lying there trying to muster up enough strength to get back up. Maybe you start to wonder if you even want to get back up.

Developing and maintaining the right mindset is key when it comes to you making the decision to get back up and stay in the fight. You will need these positive mindsets to keep moving forward through the hard times so you can eventually enjoy the good times.

Here are 3 mindsets to move you forward.

The Get Going Mindset

"You’ve been thinking about doing it. You’ve been dreaming about it. The next thing you need to do is start where you are with what you have. Most people want to start off as an expert, but I’m here to tell you it’s perfectly okay to start out as an amateur and work your way up. What’s not okay is you never starting at all. The start is what stops most people." - Don Shula

Just thinking about it doesn’t really get it done. We can all think of ideas and plans that we’ve had in the past, and thinking about them was as far as we got in reaching our goal.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to skip the think- tank process at all. Yes, you do need to spend some time thinking about the next endeavor or new idea that is rolling around in your head. Thinking about it allows you to plan, strategize, and map out a course of action.

The problem is that some people spend way too much time in their think tank. This is largely a result of them wasting time thinking about all the things that could go wrong instead of thinking about all the things that could go right. They try to think about every single detail and anticipate all the different situations that they will encounter along the way, but that, my friend, is impossible to do from the starting line.

The longer you think about it, the longer it takes for you to take the next step, which is to actually start doing what you’ve been thinking about. Sooner or later, you will have to exit the think tank and enter the field of action.

Just start. That’s right—get moving and see what happens. You must have the get going mindset. Start doing what you’ve spent time thinking about. Leave the think tank for a moment and start putting action to those thoughts. There will be plenty of times when you will have to get back in your think tank as you keep going in the direction of your dreams.

"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now." - Chinese Proverb

The No Matter What Mindset

This is the mindset that is so vital to develop when you start out on a new venture or endeavor to reach that exciting dream. You have to start with the thought that no matter what happens, you are not going to give up on this. You can’t quit. In fact, quitting is not an option for you. You are determined and you are ready to reach the prize.

Now, along the way, you are going to encounter many trials, setbacks and disappointments. You will feel like quitting and throwing in the towel. There will be moments in which you will not even want to try anymore because you are tired of the rejection and slammed doors in your face.

This is the moment where the no matter what mindset kicks in and causes you to ignore every feeling and emotion that is trying to get you to quit. No matter what, keep moving forward.

The Get Back Up Mindset

Make no mistake about it, if you have a big dream it means you will have to put up a big fight to reach it. Yes, there will be times where you will find yourself laying flat on your back and feeling like the dream is over and there’s no way you can muster up enough strength to keep on going.

• Get up from the mat of discouragement that has kept you doubting your future.
• Get up from the mat of disappointment that has drained your energy.
• Get up from the mat of failure that has tried to convince you that you don’t have what it takes.
• Get up from the mat of mediocrity that has lulled you into living a lesser life.
• Get up from the mat of fear that has kept you from trying again.
• Get up from the mat of Settleville that has held you captive for years.
• Get up from the mat of humiliation and stop caring what others think about you.

You got this! Get back on your feet and stay in the fight. You are not out, and the fight is not over. It’s time to get back on your feet and go the distance. Your get back up mindset is there to keep you moving forward through every hard and difficult time on your journey.

When it’s all said and done, you just might be able to borrow that iconic phrase from Rocky Balboa and say for yourself, “Yo, Adrian. I did it!”

“Winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try.” - Dennis DeYoung

What are you going to do next? That’s the question you should be asking yourself. Are you going to do what it takes to become the person you’ve been dreaming about? Are you going to take the necessary steps to move in the right direction for your life? Are you going to develop these strong mindsets that will keep you moving forward? Or will you sit there and come up with excuse after excuse as to why you haven’t moved any closer to accomplishing your goals?

Your success is up to you. It’s always been up to you. It’s not up to your boss, family members, or friends. It’s not up to chance or luck.

It’s time to dig down deep to the core of who you are and find that inner strength and confidence that’s been buried underneath the piles of debris and rubbish from your past failures and mistakes. You have to roll up your sleeves and get ready to put in the hard work that’s required, because as we know, nothing great comes without work.

Always remember that your mindset really does matter.

You got this.