The 1-Second Decision: How Navy SEALs Keep Going When They Want to Quit

“Most people fail that one second.” — David Goggins

We win or lose many of our most important choices in one second.   In one second, when we are in extreme pain or fatigue, we give up.

We let how we feel in the moment, impact our potential victory.

It’s this split-second choice under high pressure that can block us from our greatest breakthroughs and victories.

The 1-Second Decision is all about gaining control of your mind, putting things back in the proper perspective, and then saying, “I really do want to be here.”

It’s a mental strategy the Navy SEALs use to regain control of their thoughts, emotions, and actions, especially when faced with painful or extreme scenarios.

By embracing the 1-Second Decision, you can build mental resilience and develop the ability to make quick, effective decisions even in the most challenging situations.

What is the 1-Second Decision?

The 1-Second Decision is a decision-making strategy used to overcome obstacles and stay on track towards a goal.

It involves taking control of your mind in moments of adversity or pain and making a conscious decision to stay focused on the task at hand, because you really want what’s on the other side.

The 1-Second Decision emphasizes the importance of not giving in to immediate impulses or emotional reactions, but instead taking one second to regain control of your thoughts and choose a deliberate, rational response, based on what you really want, beyond this moment.

This practice can lead to increased resilience, mental toughness, and ultimately, long-term success.

What’s an Example of the 1-Second Decision?

An example of using the 1-Second Decision during a painful choice or extreme scenario would be a Navy SEAL trainee going through “Hell Week,” which is a grueling five-day training regimen that tests the physical and mental limits of the trainees.

During this week, trainees are subjected to extreme cold, sleep deprivation, and physically demanding exercises.

In this scenario, a trainee may reach a point where they feel like they can’t go on any longer and want to quit.

The 1-Second Decision comes into play here.

The trainee must gain control of their mind and put things back into proper perspective. They must remind themselves why they wanted to become a SEAL in the first place and why they’re enduring the pain and hardship.

Then, they must make a conscious decision to push through the pain and continue on.

This decision is made in a split second, hence the name “1-Second Decision.”

By doing so, they can overcome the mental and physical challenges and continue to progress in their training.

How To Embrace the 1-Second Decision

Here are the steps to embrace the 1-Second Decision:

1. Regain control: The first step is to regain control of your mind and emotions by taking a deep breath and refocusing your thoughts. In this moment, remind yourself why you want to be there and what you hope to achieve by persevering.
2. Get back to logic: The second step is to shift your thinking back to logic and reason, rather than being driven solely by your emotions. Ask yourself what your options are, and think through the potential consequences of each option.
3. Make a quick decision: Based on the information you have, make a decision quickly. Don’t overthink or second-guess yourself. Trust your instincts and go with the option that feels right to you.
4. Take action: Once you have made a decision, take action immediately. This demonstrates that you are committed to your decision and helps you avoid procrastination or second-guessing.

David Goggins on the 1-Second Decision

In this video, David Goggins shares his story of the 1-Second Decision:

David Goggins uses the 1-Second Decision to make quick decisions during painful or extreme situations, such as in Navy SEAL training.

In these situations, he emphasizes the importance of gaining control of your mind, putting things back in the proper perspective, and remembering why you really want to be there.

You must learn to perform without motivation and not overthink or second-guess yourself.

It only takes one second to lose everything, so it’s crucial to take that one second and mentally stay in the game.

By controlling your mind and making quick decisions, you can avoid failure and achieve your goals.

Here are a few of my favorite notes from the video…

What People Get Wrong About Motivation

David Goggins on what people get wrong about motivation:

“What do you think most people get wrong about motivation?

They think it’s a permanent fix.

And like I say, you know, I always tell people you have to learn to perform without motivation.

Just get back to work.  It’s time to get back to work.  Stop hearing yourself talk.

Get off the podcast.  Don’t be on social media too much.  Cut out all the noise.

Get back to the mental lab because that’s where the knowledge comes from.” — David Goggins

You Can Lose Everything in One Second

David Goggins on how you can lose it all in one second:

“Let me use hell week this is a perfect example. Hell week’s a hundred thirty hours.

And 130 hours is a lot of seconds. Let’s say you win every second but one.

You lost.

It only takes one second for you to lose the whole thing.

So, the 1-second decision is just that.” — David Goggins

Most People Fail that One Second

David Goggins on how most people fail that one second:

“So, what I do in that one second, because we all think about quitting.

It’s hard but what you have to do in that one second.

It’s hard to process information during pain because that pain takes over and you can’t think rationally.

Thinking about fight or flight. Save yourself.

That’s not a rational thought. It’s not a thought that’s going to get you through hard times.

Most people fail that one second.” — David Goggins

Take that One Second

David Goggins on how he takes back that one second:

“So, what happens?

What I do in that one second, and there’s a bigger process to all this, but in that one second, I physically stayed in that water.

Because if I get out of the water, I quit.

So, I physically stay in the water.

But mentally I’m on the beach with the instructors.

And now I’m thinking logically because I’m warm now mentally.

I’ve taken that one second.” — David Goggins

You Win or Fail in that One Second

David Goggins on how you win or fail in that one second:

“Think about your options. Where are you going to end up if you quit this?

The things you have to think about.

The 1-Second decision.

So, that’s all about gaining control of your mind, putting things back in the proper perspective, and then saying, ‘I really do want to be here.’

And, I’m going to have a bunch of these one seconds to do this 130-hour journey.

And, I have to learn to control these.

Because if I fail one of these one seconds, I will not be a SEAL, I will not be a doctor, I will not be a lawyer, I will not be whatever it is.

So, that’s how important that 1-Second Decision is.

It’s all about your mind takes control.

You have to say, ‘I run this.’

And that’s what that’s all about.” — David Goggins

Win Your Most Important Moments in Work and Life with the 1-Second Decision

The 1-Second Decision is a powerful tool that can help us navigate high-pressure situations, overcome challenges, and achieve our goals.

It’s all about taking control of our minds, putting things back into perspective, and reminding ourselves of our purpose.

By embracing the 1-Second Decision, we can train ourselves to make quick decisions without overthinking or second-guessing, and take action with confidence and conviction.

Remember, the 1-Second Decision can be the difference between success and failure, and it’s a skill that we can all learn and cultivate with practice.

So, the next time you find yourself facing a difficult decision or a daunting challenge, take a deep breath, regain control of your mind, and make that one-second decision that will set you on the path to success.

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