Mindset Rule 8, “Judge your Success by Your Plan, and Not Others”, shines as a lighthouse illuminating the path for triumphing over your life’s challenges. And who better illustrates this than our favorite underdog, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger? Yes, the pint-sized dreamer who tackled every obstacle in his path to play football for Notre Dame. Rudy's journey is a masterclass in embracing your unique path, and it’s time to tell it with a wink and a smile.
Understanding Mindset Rule 8
When we become Mental Health Warriors, we embark on a journey tailored to our specific needs, strengths, and challenges. Each person's journey is unique, and thus, the plans we create to manage and overcome our challenges should be personalized. Mindset Rule 8 reminds us to evaluate our success based on these personalized plans rather than the often unrealistic standards set by society or the media. In Rudy’s case, the plan was simple: get on that darn football field, no matter what.
Rudy’s Playbook: Judge Your Success by Your Plan, Not Others
In the movie, Rudy isn’t your typical football star. At 5’6” and 165 pounds, he was more likely to be mistaken for a water boy than a linebacker. But did Rudy let that stop him? Heck, no! He had a plan, and he stuck to it, even when everyone else thought he was as nutty as a fruitcake. Here’s how Rudy applied Mindset Rule 8 to his journey and how you can too.
Example 1: Personalized Goal Setting – Rudy Style
Scenario: Rudy’s dream was to play football at Notre Dame, but his grades were lower than a basement apartment, and his athletic ability was...well, let’s just say he wasn’t exactly NFL material.
Application of Mindset Rule 8: Instead of comparing himself to the towering athletes on the team, Rudy set a personal goal that matched his abilities. His plan was to get into Notre Dame and make the practice squad.
Steps to Success:
Set a Realistic Goal: Rudy knew he wasn't going to be the starting quarterback, so he aimed to just get on the practice team. Baby steps, people, baby steps!
Plan and Prepare: Rudy hit the books like they owed him money. He went to Holy Cross College to improve his grades, and then transferred to Notre Dame. Cue the Rocky-style montage.
Celebrate Your Success: When Rudy finally got accepted into Notre Dame, he celebrated like he’d just won the lottery. And when he made the practice squad, he probably screamed louder than a banshee at a rock concert.
By judging his success based on his plan, Rudy avoided the discouragement that came from comparing himself to others and instead focused on his personal growth. If Rudy can do it, so can you!
Example 2: Tailored Self-Care Routines – Rudy’s Way
Scenario: Rudy’s body took a beating from all those practice sessions. Meanwhile, his teammates seemed to bounce back from hits like they were made of rubber.
Application of Mindset Rule 8: Rudy created a self-care routine that suited his needs. Sure, it might have included a few extra ice packs and bandages, but hey, whatever works. Plus, we can work on our mental health self-care routine and not need those ice packs! Whew!
Steps to Success:
Set Simple, Achievable Goals: On particularly tough days, Rudy’s goal might have been to just get through practice without collapsing.
Gradually Increase Complexity: As he started to get stronger, Rudy could push himself a bit more. Maybe run an extra lap or do a few more push-ups.
Track and Celebrate Progress: Every day Rudy survived practice was a victory. He probably kept a journal of all his bruises as battle scars.
By judging his success based on his personalized self-care plan, Rudy reinforced positive behavior and created a foundation for long-term resilience. Just imagine him flexing in front of a mirror, admiring those tiny biceps. We can "flex" our mental health muscles in front the mirror by talking to that person we see and reminding them of each successes we had today!
Example 3: Career and Personal Aspirations – Rudy’s Dream
Scenario: Rudy’s ultimate goal was to play in a real game, but his chances seemed slimmer than a supermodel on a diet. His peers were getting drafted into the NFL while he was still trying to earn his spot.
Application of Mindset Rule 8: Rudy designed a career plan that fit his reality. He might not make the NFL, but playing just one game at Notre Dame would be enough.
Steps to Success:
Set Realistic Milestones: Rudy broke down his goal into smaller, manageable milestones. First, make the practice squad. Next, earn the respect of his teammates. Finally, get in a game.
Adapt to Your Needs: Rudy recognized that he needed to work harder than everyone else. He was the first one at practice and the last one to leave. If only he had a timecard to punch.
Celebrate Incremental Achievements: Each time Rudy got a nod from a coach or a pat on the back from a teammate, it was a win. When he finally got his chance to play, it was like Christmas came early.
By measuring his success against his personalized career plan, Rudy ensured he moved forward at his own pace. The day he finally got on that field, he probably felt like a superhero. You can get this same feeling as you learn to manage and triumph over your mental health challenges, one step at a time!
The Power of Personal Plans
Mindset Rule 8 is about embracing your unique journey and valuing your progress. Rudy’s challenges required tailored approaches, so he could triumph over them each day. By creating his personal plan and then using that Mindset Rule to remind him to judge his success by his plan, Rudy saw the progress he was making each day. He viewed it as his personal playbook that kept him from sinking into that no-win scenario of looking outward to judge his success. And you can do the same!
Start Using it Today
You can embrace and begin applying Mindset Rule 8—"Judge Your Success by Your Plan, and Not Others" — today and start building your path to triumph over your mental health challenges. It will allow you to focus on your unique journey, celebrate your progress, and build resilience.
Remember, success is not about how fast you go compared to others, but about making steady progress as you blaze your own trail as a Mental Health Warrior!
So, channel your inner Rudy, lace up those mental cleats, and get out there! The field is yours for the taking, and every yard gained is a victory worth celebrating.
Bruce Schutter
(Creator of the Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin)
Comments