Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins is a powerful and inspiring book that provides readers with valuable insights and actionable advice on how to overcome obstacles, push through pain, and achieve their goals. This is the 2nd book that I finished reading this year and I have gained new insights from it.
The book is part memoir and part self-help, and it tells the story of Goggins’ journey from an overweight and insecure young man to a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and ultra-endurance athlete.
What Did I Learn From This Can’t Hurt Me Book?
Here are the 5 key points from the book that I learned. I also shared some examples and practical tips on how to apply them in daily life.
Point 1 – 40% Rule
One key point in “Can’t Hurt Me” is the 40% Rule. According to David Goggins, when you feel like you’re at your limit, you’ve only reached 40% of your true potential. This means that we are capable of pushing ourselves much further than we think we can, and that we should never give up when things get tough.
One example from the book that illustrates the 40% Rule is when David participated in a 100-mile race. Despite feeling exhausted and in pain, he refused to quit and pushed himself to finish the race. He discovered that he was capable of much more than he had previously thought possible.
One way to apply the 40% Rule in daily work life is to set challenging goals for ourselves and push through discomfort and setbacks. When we feel like giving up or that we’ve hit a limit, we can remind ourselves that we still have more in us and push ourselves to go further. This can help us develop resilience, determination, and a stronger work ethic, which can ultimately lead to greater success and personal fulfillment.
Point 2 – Master your mind
Another key theme of Can’t Hurt Me is the power of the mind to shape our reality. Goggins believes that we are all capable of achieving greatness, but that we need to learn to control our thoughts and emotions in order to do so. He describes how he used visualization techniques to prepare for his ultra-endurance races, and how he learned to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones.
To apply this principle in daily life, Goggins recommends developing a meditation or mindfulness practice. This could be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath and quiet your mind. By learning to control your thoughts and emotions, you will be better equipped to handle stress and overcome challenges.
Point 3 – Embrace the Suck
One of Goggins’ favorite sayings is “embrace the suck,” which means accepting that life is tough and that you will face difficult challenges along the way. He believes that it is important to embrace the struggle and push through it, rather than avoiding it or giving up.
To apply this principle in daily life, Goggins recommends taking on challenges that scare you or that you might not feel fully prepared for. This could mean signing up for a marathon, taking on a new job or project, or even just having a difficult conversation with someone. By embracing the suck, you will develop resilience and mental toughness that will serve you well in all areas of life.
Point 4 – Set audacious goals
Goggins is a firm believer in setting audacious goals that push you beyond your limits. He describes how he set a goal to run 100 miles in less than 24 hours, even though he had never run more than a marathon before. Despite the odds against him, he was able to achieve his goal through sheer determination and mental toughness.
To apply this principle in daily life, Goggins recommends setting big, hairy, audacious goals that scare you. This could mean starting a business, writing a book, or running a marathon. By setting these goals, you will push yourself to achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Point 5 – Take action
Finally, Goggins preaches is the importance of taking action. Goggins believes that action is the key to success, and that you must take action if you want to achieve your goals. He believes that too many people get stuck in a cycle of planning and preparation, and they never actually take the necessary steps to achieve their goals.
An example from the book that demonstrates this principle is when Goggins decided to run his first ultra-marathon. Rather than spending months preparing and planning for the race, Goggins simply decided to sign up and start running. He knew that the only way to achieve his goal was to take action, and he did not want to waste any time.
One way to apply this principle in daily life is to focus on taking action rather than getting bogged down in planning and preparation. While planning and preparation are important, they should not be allowed to become a barrier to taking action. By taking small steps towards your goals every day, you can make steady progress and eventually achieve your goals.
Who Should Read Can’t Hurt Me?
Overall, Can’t Hurt Me is an inspiring and motivational book that is full of practical advice and insights. By following the principles outlined in the book, you can become mentally and physically tougher, and this can help you to achieve your goals.
Whether you are looking to improve your physical fitness, your mental toughness, or your overall approach to life, Can’t Hurt Me is a must-read book that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
To Your Success,
Keith Choy
Related Resources:
What You Say About Yourself Makes All The Difference!
How To Deal With Failure And Bad Situations – Reload, Recalibrate, Reengage Your Mindset
How Highly Productive Successful Millionaires Schedule Their Day: 1-Page Productivity Tool