5 Powerful Advantages of Having the Mentality of An Underdog
Because we're all one narcissistic move away from ruining our lives.
“Victory is a thousand times sweeter when you’re the underdog.” — Jenny Han
It feels good being on top. Everyone directs attention towards you. No matter who you are or where you‘re from, winning is essential.
There’s nothing wrong with that. It keeps us motivated to improve in all aspects of life.
But there’s a negative side to winning. In one way, we beat someone else; in another, we defeat ourselves.
Our pride consumes us and causes us to lose even when we win.
In reality, we’re all underdogs. There is someone out there who is better than you. So how do you deal with that?
You embrace the mentality of an underdog. And you cherish the habits that make underdogs unstoppable.
Underdogs have a strong work ethic
It’s easier to focus on improvement when no one knows your name. The only distractions that exist are those you set in front of your face.
Underdogs have the privilege of pruning their work while no one is looking. This is when greatness is born.
But it won’t be because you chased greatness. No, you built the muscles that will sustain you when your name becomes recognizable.
It sounds cliche, but you have to work hard to improve. The challenge is keeping that effort strong with consistency.
For that reason, you need a good work ethic. Scratch that: you need a strong work ethic.
The best figures don’t become the best overnight. Most people overlooked them. And like you and me, they were once viewed as regular individuals.
But what set them apart was their willingness to show up every day and give it their best shot. No shortcuts. No excuses.
Challenge yourself to do what keeps you up at night.
Be sure to take your time, though. We tend to rush our process while coveting someone else’s success.
Your journey is not theirs, and their journey is not yours.
Underdogs carry personal expectations
Having a boss stinks. Sometimes their expectations are so unrealistic they make your eyelid twitch. But the underdog has her own set of standards to fulfill.
She sets the rules while the boss is unaware of them.
Then, boom. Checkmate.
If you don’t set your standards in life, someone else will. And nine times out of ten, you won’t like them. You’ll find any reason to avoid them. But they’ll annoy you like gnats if you refuse to override them.
It takes a process of personal examination and (most of all) honesty.
What do you expect out of yourself?
Your answer to that question is the key to your advancement.
Underdogs have nothing to lose
I grew up homeschooled until the eighth grade. My life revolved around basketball. But I couldn’t compete in school sports without going to public school.
So I did.
After a long talk with my parents, my twin brother and I prepared for a new chapter. A few guys knew us from playing summer ball together. But for the most part, we were nobodies.
We had no reputation, nothing to lose. But we had everything to gain.
We won the championship that year. In our first and last year of middle, we went 17–1.
Don’t worry about proving yourself to anybody. That gives naysayers more attention than they deserve.
Focus on getting better one step at a time.
Patience makes the process of improvement smoother. But impatience pulls you down like quicksand.
Underdogs have nowhere to go but up
If you’re going to fail, fail on the way up. What most people do is give up when things get rough. They feel a little turbulence and head in another direction.
You want to move with intention. And when you fall (because you will), you can get back up and keep moving.
We love to make life a competition. Yet there is only one person who can stop you from reaching your goals: you.
Yes, success starts in your mind. But so does deterioration.
All you have to do is start looking down on someone else. When you believe you’ve made it, you start the process of your decline.
Pride comes before destruction. The secret sauce is to keep your head down as you rise. Don’t think of yourself as any better than anyone else. Because you aren’t.
You’re one narcissistic move away from ruining your life.
Underdogs know this and make humility a habit. They make it a part of their DNA. And they understand that growing without tearing anyone down is priceless.
Underdogs work in peace
There’s nothing worse than trying to get things done with a bunch of noise around you. Meaningful productivity happens when there is a strong sense of focus.
Underdogs know how to block out the noise.
They only follow people who add value to their lives. They disregard people who only want to see them fall. And they don’t heed advice from everyone.
If you want to see growth, learn from those who walk the walk. Anyone can talk the talk.
But those who see real progress put the blinders on. They do what most people neglect: follow the blueprint.
Follow the directions on how to succeed. When you have someone who is living the result of their obedience, do what they did.
Listen.
Listen with intention. That’s where you’ll find your peace.
Nothing says go-getter like a strong work ethic. Developing that strengthens your path to achieving your goals.
Carry your expectations without allowing everyone else to set them for you. It’s the quickest way to lose yourself.
Realize that, as an underdog, you have nothing to lose. And the only way to go is up. There’s freedom in that reality.
And block out the noise. Focus your attention on people who preach what they practice. This is the recipe for wisdom and success.
After saying all that, it’s not enough to read these advantages and do nothing about them. The trick is to make these truths your habits.
Live them out with no shame.
Your rewards will follow you, so long as you follow the blueprint.