November 20, 2024 • 8 mins
Welcome to Day 11 of the “Start Thinking Forward” 22-Day Challenge. In today’s electrifying and deeply reflective episode, host Brandon L. Draper dives into the psychology and neuroscience behind resilience, adaptability, and the power to overcome life’s toughest setbacks.
This isn’t about avoiding failure or setbacks—it’s about learning how to thrive through them, evolving beyond victimhood, and reclaiming your life through intentional action.
With powerful, real-world examples of leaders and individuals who have faced extraordinary failures, this episode challenges listeners to take a hard look at their circumstances and find the strength to evolve.
You’ll hear a story of a man who lost everything and the consequences of repeating old patterns, along with actionable strategies to ensure you don’t fall into the same traps.
Backed by neuroscience, mindset-shifting exercises, and no-nonsense truths, this episode will inspire you to take control, rise above, and develop a resilient, unbreakable mindset.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing the tools to track growth and build the systems needed to thrive. Ready to evolve beyond your circumstances?
Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement to develop a resilient mind.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
This isn’t about avoiding failure or setbacks—it’s about learning how to thrive through them, evolving beyond victimhood, and reclaiming your life through intentional action.
With powerful, real-world examples of leaders and individuals who have faced extraordinary failures, this episode challenges listeners to take a hard look at their circumstances and find the strength to evolve.
You’ll hear a story of a man who lost everything and the consequences of repeating old patterns, along with actionable strategies to ensure you don’t fall into the same traps.
Backed by neuroscience, mindset-shifting exercises, and no-nonsense truths, this episode will inspire you to take control, rise above, and develop a resilient, unbreakable mindset.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing the tools to track growth and build the systems needed to thrive. Ready to evolve beyond your circumstances?
Listen, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join the movement to develop a resilient mind.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast. I'm Brandon L.
Draper and today we're on day eleven of this twenty
two day challenge. This episode is all about resilience, not
just bouncing back, but rising above, evolving and refusing to
be a victim of your circumstances. And now I'm going
to warn you up front. This episode is going to
(00:22):
challenge you. It's going to push you to confront the
lies you've been telling yourself, the excuses you've clung to,
and the comfort zones that are keeping you stuck. But
if you're ready to evolve, if you're ready to turn
setbacks into stepping stones, then let's get into it.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Setbacks are inevitable. Staying stuck is not.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Here's the first thing we need to get clear. Setbacks
are not optional. They are inevitable. Whether you're leading a business,
pursuing a dream, or just trying to make it through
the day, life will throw challenges your way. The question
isn't will I face setbacks? The question is how will
I respond? Take Abraham Lincoln. Before becoming one of the
(01:09):
most iconic presidents in history, Lincoln faced countless setbacks. He
lost eight elections, he failed in business twice he suffered
a nervous breakdown. Most people would have quit after the
first few failures, but Lincoln didn't. Instead of letting failure
define him, he used it as fuel to keep going,
and when he finally reached the presidency, his resilience became
(01:32):
the backbone of a nation during one of its darkest times.
The lesson failure is not the end, it's a stepping stone.
When you experience a setback, your brain's emigdala, the part
responsible for processing fear, goes into overdrive. This triggers a
fight or flight response, which can leave you feeling paralyzed, anxious,
(01:55):
or defeated. But here's where it gets interesting. Neuroscientists like
doctor Andrew Huberman from Stanford University have discovered that the
brain is incredibly adaptable. Through practices like mindfulness, reframing an
intentional focus, you can retrain your brain to view setbacks
(02:15):
as opportunities rather than threats. Doctor Carrol Dweck, a psychologist
at Stanford University and author of Mindset The New Psychology
of Success, emphasizes the importance of cultivating a growth mindset,
the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through
(02:35):
effort and learning. People with a growth mindset see failures
as part of the process, not a reflection of their worth.
Let's be real for a moment. If you don't evolve,
you stay stuck, period. And staying stuck comes at a cost,
a cost far greater than the discomfort of change.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
When you refuse to.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Grow, you limit your potential, sabotage your relateationships, condemn yourself
to a life of mediocrity. And let me tell you something.
Mediocrity is a slow death. It's the silent killer of dreams, ambition,
and fulfillment, the repetition of failure. Let's revisit Ryan, the
(03:23):
man who lost everything after betraying the one person who
stood by him. Ryan found himself alone again, repeating the
same destructive patterns. Why you may be asking yourself because
he refused to evolve, He blamed his circumstances, refused to
take ownership, and clung to the same behaviors that landed
him in trouble in the first place. And until he
(03:45):
breaks that cycle, history will keep repeating itself. The takeaway
if you don't change, neither will your life. Doctor Martin Seligmann,
the father of positive psychology, has extensively studied resilience and
the habits of highly resilient individuals. In his book Learned Optimism,
Seligman explains how adopting an optimistic explanatory style how you
(04:09):
explain setbacks to yourself can drastically improve your ability to
bounce back. According to Seligman's research, people who are resilient
tend to view setbacks as temporary. Instead of saying this
always happens to me, they say, this is a tough moment,
but it will pass. Take responsibility without self blame. Resilient
(04:33):
people own their role in setbacks, but don't spiral into shame.
Focus on solutions, and they ask what can I do
to move forward, rather than dwelling on what went wrong.
This aligns with findings from doctor Angela Duckworth, author of Grit,
The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Duckworth's research reveals that grit,
(04:57):
the ability to sustain efforts over the long term, is
a better predictor of success than talent or IQ. The
most successful people aren't the smartest or most talented. They're
the ones who refuse to quit. Here's your first exercise.
Think about a recent failure or setback. Now answer these questions.
(05:19):
What lessons can I learn from this experience? How can
I use this setback to grow stronger or wiser? What's
one small action I can take today to move forward.
This is the essence of resilience, turning pain into progress.
The danger of comfort zones. Let's talk about comfort zones.
(05:43):
We've all heard the phrase life begins at the end
of your comfort zone.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
But here's the brutal truth. Most people never leave.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
They stay in jobs, they hate relationships that drain them,
in routines that keep them stuck because.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
It feels safe.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
The science of discomfort and growth. According to research published
in Frontiers in Psychology, stepping outside your comfort zone triggers
the brain's dopamine reward system, reinforcing behaviors that lead to
personal growth. The more you embrace discomfort, the more your
brain associates it with positive outcomes. Here's your next challenge.
(06:23):
Do something that makes you uncomfortable every day for the
next week.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Whether it's speaking up.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
In a meeting, reaching out to someone you admire, or
starting a project you've been procrastinating on.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Push yourself. Growth lives in discomfort.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Resilience isn't just about mindset, It's about having the right
tools to support your growth. That's where Cerebro comes in.
This platform is designed to help you set goals, track progress,
and stay accountable. Whether you're rebuilding after a setback or
striving for your next breakthrough. Cerebro is your partner in resilience.
Check us out at Cerebro Ai and explore how our
(07:02):
tools can help you evolve, grow and thrive. Before we
wrap up, I want to leave you with this. You
are not a victim of your circumstances. You have the
power to choose how you respond, to take ownership and
to evolve. But it starts with the decision, a decision
to stop blaming, stop waiting, and start doing.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Here's your final challenge for today.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Write down three areas of your life where you feel stuck.
For each area, create a plan for how you'll evolve.
What habits will you change, what actions will you take,
and most importantly, when will you start commit to taking
the first step today? Resilience isn't about avoiding failure, It's
(07:48):
about using it to grow stronger. Setbacks are inevitable, but
staying stuck is a choice. If you're ready to evolve
beyond your circumstances, the time is now, don't forget to.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Check check out Cerebro dot Ai.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
This platform is here to help you track your progress,
stay accountable, and build a resilient, purpose driven life. And
if this episode resonated with you, share it. Let's inspire
others to rise above their setbacks, take ownership and live
with intention until next time.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Keep thinking forward, keep evolving, and keep owning your life.
Welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast. I'm Brandon L.
Draper and today we're on day eleven of this twenty
two day challenge. This episode is all about resilience, not
just bouncing back, but rising above, evolving and refusing to
be a victim of your circumstances. And now I'm going
to warn you up front. This episode is going to
(00:22):
challenge you. It's going to push you to confront the
lies you've been telling yourself, the excuses you've clung to,
and the comfort zones that are keeping you stuck. But
if you're ready to evolve, if you're ready to turn
setbacks into stepping stones, then let's get into it.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Setbacks are inevitable. Staying stuck is not.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Here's the first thing we need to get clear. Setbacks
are not optional. They are inevitable. Whether you're leading a business,
pursuing a dream, or just trying to make it through
the day, life will throw challenges your way. The question
isn't will I face setbacks? The question is how will
I respond? Take Abraham Lincoln. Before becoming one of the
(01:09):
most iconic presidents in history, Lincoln faced countless setbacks. He
lost eight elections, he failed in business twice he suffered
a nervous breakdown. Most people would have quit after the
first few failures, but Lincoln didn't. Instead of letting failure
define him, he used it as fuel to keep going,
and when he finally reached the presidency, his resilience became
(01:32):
the backbone of a nation during one of its darkest times.
The lesson failure is not the end, it's a stepping stone.
When you experience a setback, your brain's emigdala, the part
responsible for processing fear, goes into overdrive. This triggers a
fight or flight response, which can leave you feeling paralyzed, anxious,
(01:55):
or defeated. But here's where it gets interesting. Neuroscientists like
doctor Andrew Huberman from Stanford University have discovered that the
brain is incredibly adaptable. Through practices like mindfulness, reframing an
intentional focus, you can retrain your brain to view setbacks
(02:15):
as opportunities rather than threats. Doctor Carrol Dweck, a psychologist
at Stanford University and author of Mindset The New Psychology
of Success, emphasizes the importance of cultivating a growth mindset,
the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through
(02:35):
effort and learning. People with a growth mindset see failures
as part of the process, not a reflection of their worth.
Let's be real for a moment. If you don't evolve,
you stay stuck, period. And staying stuck comes at a cost,
a cost far greater than the discomfort of change.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
When you refuse to.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Grow, you limit your potential, sabotage your relateationships, condemn yourself
to a life of mediocrity. And let me tell you something.
Mediocrity is a slow death. It's the silent killer of dreams, ambition,
and fulfillment, the repetition of failure. Let's revisit Ryan, the
(03:23):
man who lost everything after betraying the one person who
stood by him. Ryan found himself alone again, repeating the
same destructive patterns. Why you may be asking yourself because
he refused to evolve, He blamed his circumstances, refused to
take ownership, and clung to the same behaviors that landed
him in trouble in the first place. And until he
(03:45):
breaks that cycle, history will keep repeating itself. The takeaway
if you don't change, neither will your life. Doctor Martin Seligmann,
the father of positive psychology, has extensively studied resilience and
the habits of highly resilient individuals. In his book Learned Optimism,
Seligman explains how adopting an optimistic explanatory style how you
(04:09):
explain setbacks to yourself can drastically improve your ability to
bounce back. According to Seligman's research, people who are resilient
tend to view setbacks as temporary. Instead of saying this
always happens to me, they say, this is a tough moment,
but it will pass. Take responsibility without self blame. Resilient
(04:33):
people own their role in setbacks, but don't spiral into shame.
Focus on solutions, and they ask what can I do
to move forward, rather than dwelling on what went wrong.
This aligns with findings from doctor Angela Duckworth, author of Grit,
The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Duckworth's research reveals that grit,
(04:57):
the ability to sustain efforts over the long term, is
a better predictor of success than talent or IQ. The
most successful people aren't the smartest or most talented. They're
the ones who refuse to quit. Here's your first exercise.
Think about a recent failure or setback. Now answer these questions.
(05:19):
What lessons can I learn from this experience? How can
I use this setback to grow stronger or wiser? What's
one small action I can take today to move forward.
This is the essence of resilience, turning pain into progress.
The danger of comfort zones. Let's talk about comfort zones.
(05:43):
We've all heard the phrase life begins at the end
of your comfort zone.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
But here's the brutal truth. Most people never leave.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
They stay in jobs, they hate relationships that drain them,
in routines that keep them stuck because.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
It feels safe.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
The science of discomfort and growth. According to research published
in Frontiers in Psychology, stepping outside your comfort zone triggers
the brain's dopamine reward system, reinforcing behaviors that lead to
personal growth. The more you embrace discomfort, the more your
brain associates it with positive outcomes. Here's your next challenge.
(06:23):
Do something that makes you uncomfortable every day for the
next week.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Whether it's speaking up.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
In a meeting, reaching out to someone you admire, or
starting a project you've been procrastinating on.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Push yourself. Growth lives in discomfort.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Resilience isn't just about mindset, It's about having the right
tools to support your growth. That's where Cerebro comes in.
This platform is designed to help you set goals, track progress,
and stay accountable. Whether you're rebuilding after a setback or
striving for your next breakthrough. Cerebro is your partner in resilience.
Check us out at Cerebro Ai and explore how our
(07:02):
tools can help you evolve, grow and thrive. Before we
wrap up, I want to leave you with this. You
are not a victim of your circumstances. You have the
power to choose how you respond, to take ownership and
to evolve. But it starts with the decision, a decision
to stop blaming, stop waiting, and start doing.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Here's your final challenge for today.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Write down three areas of your life where you feel stuck.
For each area, create a plan for how you'll evolve.
What habits will you change, what actions will you take,
and most importantly, when will you start commit to taking
the first step today? Resilience isn't about avoiding failure, It's
(07:48):
about using it to grow stronger. Setbacks are inevitable, but
staying stuck is a choice. If you're ready to evolve
beyond your circumstances, the time is now, don't forget to.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Check check out Cerebro dot Ai.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
This platform is here to help you track your progress,
stay accountable, and build a resilient, purpose driven life. And
if this episode resonated with you, share it. Let's inspire
others to rise above their setbacks, take ownership and live
with intention until next time.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Keep thinking forward, keep evolving, and keep owning your life.
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