Getting Out of a Deflective Mindset
Now that you understand the ownership mindset outlined in our previous article, and why it’s so important to save you from poor performance that’s caused by excuses and blame, let’s put your mindset to the test.
So what’s your default?
The Ownership Mindset Quiz
Be sure not to BS this. The whole point of discussing a growth and ownership mindset is to highlight areas where you can learn and grow.
Access the quiz here.
Instructions:
Read the question
Take 60 seconds to write as many ways you could own responsibility for the situation
Take another 60 seconds to write as many ways you could deflect responsibility for the situation
For each question, determine if you have predominantly an ownership or deflection mindset
Tally your score of ownership vs deflection
Example:
“My nutrition adherence is my responsibility.”
Ownership:
“I understand I’m busy this week so I will plan ahead and spend time doing meal prep.”
“My trainer gave me the tools to build a diet that can be flexible.”
“My friends have different goals than I do, therefore I cannot behave the same way as them.”
Deflection:
“I’m too busy to eat well this week and being organised is too hard.”
“My trainer should have given me a better diet.”
“My friends made me go off-plan, and I ate and drank the wrong things.”
Some more examples
A few deflective mindset patterns that might come up:
“I didn’t have time to complete this week’s workouts.”
“I had to eat out so I couldn’t meet my targets.”
“I over-ate on Saturday so screw it.”
“I don’t understand tracking, the macros and calories are too much.”
The ownership mindset alternatives:
“I didn’t prioritise my training this week.”
“I could have pre-prepared or ordered more easily trackable food while I was out.”
“I managed my total weekly calories despite a slip up on Saturday.”
“I need to ask for help with tracking so I can get it right.”
Making it work
It’s unlikely you’ll be able to lead with an ownership mindset 100% of the time. It’s a constant challenge that requires deliberate thought and action to master.
However, anytime you find yourself blaming anything or anyone else for your scenario, stop and complete the steps Deflect, Ask, Answer, Own.
Deflect: Identify how you are deflecting ownership in the moment.
Ask: “Why is my ego stepping in right now?”
Answer: Be honest, what feeling are you trying to avoid by not taking responsibility?
Own: Take ownership of the situation.
Putting it together it might look like this:
Deflect: “These results are too slow.”
Ask: “Why is my ego stepping in?”
Answer: “Because I’d rather blame the system than reflect on not completing my weekly KPIs.”
Own: “I need to tidy up my sleep and tracking, and I’ll ask my coach if there’s anything else I can do.”
Practice Deflect, Ask, Answer, Own yourself.
Have a think right now; What are five deflective mindset habits that affect you?
Go deeper
By now you should be able to see the benefits of an ownership mindset and the negative impacts of a deflective mindset, on your potential results in the gym (and in life).
To expand on this, get your hands on Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink.
We’d recommend listening to the book on Audible at 1.25x speed. Take notes on each chapter following the model above. Highlight times you’ve not met the ownership standard described in each chapter, then provide alternatives of how you approach the same situation in the future.
For more on becoming bulletproof in your training, nutrition and mindset, listen to ep 19 of the STCfit Podcast.
