I want to break down a mindset tool that is essential for anyone looking to become the best version of themselves in greatest service of the world. I often use sports as the vehicle to teach these lessons because the field of play is such a powerful mirror for life, but the truth is, this shift applies to every single one of us—no matter your “arena.”
I want to break down a mindset tool that is essential for anyone looking to become the best version of themselves in greatest service of the world. I often use sports as the vehicle to teach these lessons because the field of play is such a powerful mirror for life, but the truth is, this shift applies to every single one of us—no matter your “arena.”
The “Let It Rip” Mentality
I was watching a playoff baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Seattle Mariners. A 24-year-old rookie pitcher named Troy Melton was on the mound in a high-pressure environment. After giving up a monster home run and nearly another immediately after, the camera zoomed in on his face. He wasn’t cowering. He wasn’t panicked. He was wearing a massive grin.
He went right back to dealing heat. In that moment, he embodied a mantra I want you to adopt: “Fuck it. Let it rip.”
When the odds are against you—whether it’s a business venture, a difficult conversation, or a personal goal—the best thing you can do is acknowledge the challenge and commit fully. “The odds are against me, but someone has to do it, so I might as well give it my absolute best shot.”
Confidence is a Behavior, Not a Feeling
We often think confidence is something we have to feel before we act. But real confidence is an “intense trust in oneself.” It doesn’t mean you feel good all the time; it means you trust your ability to handle whatever comes.
There are two ways to approach any performance:
- Performance Avoidance: You play not to lose. You’re tight, fearful, and trying to prevent mistakes. This floods your system with cortisol, the stress hormone.
- Performance Approach: You play to win. You see the situation as a challenge. This floods your system with DHEA, which increases focus and motivation.
The “Let it Rip” mentality moves you from avoidance to approach. It’s the difference between a “deer in the headlights” look and a “superhero pose.” When you decide to approach a challenge with everything you’ve got, your body language and physiology follow your lead.
WIN: What’s Important Now
It’s easy to have this mindset when things are going well. It’s much harder when you’re failing. Your nervous system knows when you’re lying to yourself, so don’t try to pretend a bad situation is “great.” Instead, use this three-step process: Awareness, Acceptance, and Action.
Acknowledge the situation is tough. Accept it. Then take action.
The most powerful way to stay in this flow is to ask yourself one question: WIN (What’s Important Now?)
Whatever just happened is in the past. Whatever might happen is a fantasy. You only have the moment you are in. If you want to win at life or business, you have to be exactly where your feet are.
The Two Simple Standards
As I was watching that game, I thought about my son, Asher. I thought about what standards I want him to live by as he grows up. I realized that for all the intellectualizing we do about performance, it really boils down to two things:
- Try your hardest.
- Have fun.
Taking big risks is hard. Most small businesses fail. Most rookies don’t win the big game. There will be highs and lows, blood, sweat, and tears. That’s the beauty of being in the arena.
Final Thoughts
True resilience isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to commit fully in spite of it. True performers practice the skill of “unhooking” their identity from their last result. Whether you just hit a home run or just struck out, the next moment requires the same intensity.
The “Fuck it, let it rip” mantra grants you the immediate freedom to try again. Life is always about getting back up. Fall seven times, rise eight.
Try hard. Have fun. Let it rip.
QUOTE FOR YOU
"True resilience is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to commit fully in spite of it."
QUESTION FOR YOU
Are you playing to win, or are you just playing not to lose?
JOURNAL PROMPT FOR YOU
Think of a specific area in your life where you’ve been feeling "tight" or fearful of making a mistake (e.g., a project at work, a fitness goal, or a difficult relationship). If you knew that the result was already out of your hands and all that mattered was your level of commitment, how would your actions change today? What would it look like to "let it rip" in that situation?
ARTICLE FOR YOU
SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY
I do a podcast called Something for Everybody, listen here.
This week’s upcoming episodes:
Tuesday - 2/17 - Adriene Caldwell
Friday - 2/20 - Solo Ep
Lots of love,
Aaron
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PS Drop a review on Spotify or Apple.
