Mindset Monday: Commander's Intent & Goal Setting

Welcome back to the Daily Dumbbell, the newsletter that has been Stanning for Terrence Crawford for nearly a decade now. We recognize that Spence has that dog in him (real recognize real) but he never had a chance against Omaha’s pride and joy.

Bud defended against Spence’s punches like we defend you, our dear readers from pseudoscientific claims.

Let’s dive in!

Netflix & Chill

A new study identified a link between high levels of TV consumption in childhood and metabolic disease in adulthood.

Does watching TV make us fat? No. But people who watch less TV are likely doing something more active with their time. Correlations can be useful if you don’t try to draw a straight line from A to B.

To us, this study shows how important it is to build healthy habits as young as possible. Habits and routines are hard to break. If you have to break a decade of bad habits in order to be healthy you’re in for an uphill battle.

The opposite is also true.

The better setup you are at a young age, the better off you’ll be later in life.

More Correlations

New research shows infants who were breastfed were 33% less likely to die in the first year of life.

Sigh.

Once again, health conditions rarely present in isolation. New mothers who are struggling/unable to breastfeed are likely dealing with that because of an underlying issue. Not because they simply chose not to breast feed.

There used to be a stat ESPN showed constantly during football games. Some variation of: “When X team runs the ball 30 or more times, they win 90% of the time.” They’d go on to say the goal was obviously to establish the run.

But what do teams do when they’re winning big in the 4th quarter? They run the ball over and over to “run out the clock”. Which in turn pads their rushing stats, confusing dumb announcers all over the country.

Remember this next time you are presented with an observational study.

This study is essentially saying that healthy mothers who give birth to healthy babies & breastfeed easily have better outcomes. Great. Super helpful.

Huff, Puff, Pass

Turns out you don’t need to work out for hours on end to get some protective benefit. A new study out of the University of Sydney suggests as little as 5 minutes of vigorous activity per day is associated with a 32% decline in the risk of some types of cancer.

Data was collected from the smart watch of 22,000 “non exercisers”.

This suggests organized, intentional workouts aren’t necessary for health. As long as you’re staying active, moving around, and exerting yourself from time to time, you’ll be much better off.

To which we say “duh”.

Early in the morning of May 2nd, 2011, 24 Elite Navy SEALs sat silently, racing towards history. Their mission: to eliminate the world's most wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden. The mission was meticulously planned every step of the way. They knew the target location like the back of their hands, rehearsed the maneuvers for weeks, and visualized the mission's success.

Just as the Black Hawk helicopters touched down, the plan hit a snag—literally. One of the Blackhawks crashed, throwing their escape strategy into disarray. In an instant, they were thrown into what was possibly the one scenario they hadn’t planned for. It was the kind of curveball that could cripple a lesser force. Yet, the SEALs didn't flinch.

Why? Because of one principle: Commander's Intent.

You know what they say about best laid plans. Our elite forces can’t afford to just go through a rigid checklist of steps. That might work for your Sunday chores, but your laundry isn’t equipped with Rocket Propelled Grenades.

When push came to shove, they knew exactly what they were there for: to kill Osama Bin Laden. And that unwavering intention allowed them to adapt, pivot, and overcome the unexpected in a matter of seconds.

Why are we telling you this? Because you can wield this same superpower in your daily life. Not to kill your enemies per se, but to slay your goals! The Commander's Intent isn't just for Navy SEALs; it's a potent tool for tackling your personal goals and mastering your health and nutrition.

When life throws you a curveball—like a diet that fizzles out or an injury that benches your gym routine—you don't have to crumble in confusion. Nope, because you're about to embrace the art of navigating murky waters with finesse.

Picture this: you've got your sights set on a healthy, vibrant life, and you've defined your overarching goal like a blazing beacon. But how you get there might take some twists and turns along the way. And that's where the Commander's Intent swoops in to save the day.

The Goal: Lose 50 lbs.

The Problem: You lost 10 lbs on the keto diet but the cravings took over and you put the weight back on. You’ve failed… right? Wrong.

Your goal wasn’t to succeed with the keto diet. It’s to lose 50 lbs. The Keto diet was a strategy to get there. In fact, you’re one step closer to getting to your goal because you just uncovered an obstacle. That tool won’t work for you, so toss it in the trash and try another one.

Because your goal is blazing bright like a beacon on a foggy day, you’re able to keep moving in the right direction. You might not know exactly how you’re going to accomplish it, but you know which direction to head in and that’s enough.

The same is true of your health, relationships and your career. As long as you know what your true goal is, you’ll never be lost without a plan. And if you are? Maybe it’s time to reassess that goal. More than anything else, this tool helps you get crystal clear on what you really want the outcome to be. Because that is the only way it will work.

Is your goal to get married this year? Or is it to find someone who makes you better who you want to spend the rest of your life with?

Is the goal to be the best Doctor/Lawyer/Founder in the world? Or is it to have a fulfilling career that pays enough money for you to live a wonderful life? They’re both valid goals, but they won’t take you to the same place.

So remember, when life gets hazy and the path seems unclear, you've got your North Star, your guiding light principle, to illuminate the way. And like the SEALs, you'll handle any curveball that comes your way with a steadfast resolve, unyielding determination, and an unwavering vision of victory. Get out there and embrace the power of your very own Commander's Intent. The world is yours for the taking!

Hopefully you had a fantastic weekend and an even better start to your Monday! We’ll see you back here on Wednesday for a deep dive into health and wellness.