The concept of a "mental hack" can be alluring, especially in the fast-paced world of business where quick solutions and shortcuts often seem like the key to progress. However, these hacks can pose significant dangers when they cause a deviation from a company’s core mission. A strong mission is the foundation of any successful business, serving as a guiding star for decision-making and long-term growth.
When a mental hack promises an easier path, it can lead to choices that prioritize immediate gratification over the company’s fundamental values and long-term objectives. In the podcast, Greg and I speak of how to move a business forward maintaining a long-term perspective, ensuring that as methods and technologies evolve in a New Way of Doing Business, a healthy mindset, core values and purpose remain steadfast with sustainable success.
A Hacked System
Experiencing a computer hack can be incredibly frustrating and traumatic, as it disrupts your workflow and leaves you feeling helpless. My experience of a major website hack led to the realization that the issues faced in a hacked system are very similar to the mental blocks many people experience in their personal and professional lives. Just as malware corrupts a computer, negative thoughts, unhealthy mindsets, and bad habits can corrupt our thinking, keeping us stuck in unproductive cycles. The process of identifying and removing the bad code from a website that keeps duplicating itself became a powerful metaphor for understanding how to address and overcome mental barriers.
This revelation inspired the creation of the book Bad Code: Overcoming Bad Mental Code that Sabotages Your Life, where the parallels between digital corruption and mental roadblocks are explored in-depth. The journey to remove malware from a website highlighted the importance of diagnosing the root cause of problems, whether in technology or in life. It also underscored the need for the right mental tools and strategies to overcome these obstacles. Just as a website can’t function properly until the bad code is removed, our minds can’t operate at their best until we clear out the negative influences and develop a healthier, more productive mindset. This understanding is crucial, especially in our world where information overload and mixed messages can easily lead us astray.
Mindset Shift
In both athletics and music, achieving excellence requires a significant mindset shift. Just as an athlete must refine their techniques and training regimens to reach peak performance, musicians must also adjust their approach to practice to overcome challenges and achieve mastery. A pivotal moment often comes when a person realizes that their current methods, whether in preparation or execution, are not yielding the desired results. This moment of frustration can be the catalyst for change, pushing individuals to adopt new strategies and mindsets that lead to improvement.
For example, as a musician, you might find that a piece of music isn’t coming together as it should, no matter how many times you practice. The realization that you’re simply reinforcing mistakes rather than correcting them can be a wake-up call. This is when you need to slow down, break down the music into smaller sections, and practice deliberately and methodically. Over time, this disciplined approach becomes a mindset—a new normal—that leads to higher levels of performance.
Jascha Heifetz, Violinist
Jascha Heifetz, often hailed as one of the greatest violinists of all time, had a highly disciplined practice routine that contributed significantly to his technical mastery. Heifetz’s approach to practice emphasized slow and meticulous work on difficult passages. He believed in isolating challenging sections, practicing them at a reduced tempo to ensure precision in intonation and bowing. This method allowed him to focus on every detail and build the muscle memory needed for flawless performance. Repetition of these isolated sections was also key, as it helped reinforce technical accuracy and ease under performance pressure.
In addition to physical practice, Heifetz also incorporated mental rehearsal, visualizing the correct execution of difficult passages without his instrument. This mental practice reinforced his technical and interpretative strategies, ensuring that his performances were as close to perfection as possible. These methods are detailed in various biographies and books about Heifetz's life and work, such as Heifetz As I Knew Him by Ayke Agus.
External Influences
In the digital age, our mindsets can be compromised by external influences, much like how a computer system can be hacked by malicious code. The principle of "mental encryption" protects us from unhealthy messages and influences that can infiltrate our thoughts and behaviors. Encryption is a method to block hackers, similar to blocking access online until a code sent to your email or phone is used to verify your identity.
"Phishing" is a term often used as certain messages attempt to fool us. Is the message or offer real? They look real! Now, there are many warnings to never just click on a link. Go directly to the source. This directly relates to our mindset with ideas that seem beneficial on the surface but can actually lead us away from our core values and mission.
Internal and External Influences
Maintaining a strong mindset requires a solid foundation of core values that align with your mission. This ensures that while your methods may evolve, your mission remains intact. When you're stuck or find that your strategies aren't yielding the desired results, it's important to step back, assess, and realign your methods and mindset with your mission, rather than abandoning the mission itself. This process not only keeps your business on track but also reinforces the importance of a mindset that is resilient against unhealthy external influences.
A common mindset that can hinder progress is the belief that what we currently have is "good enough," which may prevent us from striving for improvement or innovation. Complacency, encapsulated in the attitude of "it's good enough now, we don't need to change a thing" is similar to never watering or trimming a plant or tree because it looks good just as it is. Unless there is the willingness to cut branches that are withering and dead and keep watering on a regular schedule, there will be no growth or fruit.
Blockbuster Video
An example of a business that stagnated due to thinking their product was "good enough" is Blockbuster. In the early 2000s, Blockbuster was a dominant player in the video rental market. Our family frequented them often, checking out favorite VHS tapes with popular movies. However, the company failed to innovate and adapt to the changing market, particularly in response to the rise of Netflix, which offered a mail-in DVD service and later, streaming options.
Blockbuster's leadership believed their in-store rental model was sufficient and did not take the threat of new technology seriously, which led to their eventual bankruptcy as consumers shifted to more convenient digital platforms. Blockbuster's complacency and reluctance to evolve its business model serve as a cautionary tale of how "good enough" can lead to decline in a rapidly changing industry.
Built to Fail: The Inside Story of Blockbuster’s Inevitable Bust by Alan Payne documents this. Another relevant book is Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America's Eyeballs by Gina Keating, which delves into the rivalry between Blockbuster and Netflix, highlighting how Blockbuster's complacency and failure to innovate contributed to its downfall.
Mindset and Mission
Your mindset is directly tied to your mission, which is tied to your core values. If you're feeling stuck or not seeing the results you desire, it may be time to evaluate whether your mindset is aligned with your mission. Are you resistant to change or growth? Are you relying on outdated methods because they feel comfortable? A successful mission-driven life requires a mindset that is open to growth, continuous learning, and sometimes, the willingness to abandon old habits that no longer serve your goals.
It is easy to focus on new methods and tech tools, especially with the explosive growth of AI. However, adopting new tools without careful consideration of their alignment with one's core objectives and values is dangerous. Just having tools or methods is not enough but also a clear understanding of why these tools are being used—ensuring they serve a mission rooted in solid, well-considered values.
Additional resources
Stop Circling: Steps to Escape Endless Roundabouts by Deborah Johnson. See appendix on core values
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck PhD.
A New Way of Doing Business online course to help you implement principles of a business you own and doesn’t own you.
- about Greg & Deb
GREG joins DEBORAH as a co-host on Women at Halftime Podcast once a month.
GREG JOHNSON is a former professional athlete, a triple A relief-pitcher with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) He also has years of experience in sales and as an R.I.A. (Registered Investment Advisor), owning his own business. He & Deb met on a blind date and have been married over 40 years.
When a mental hack promises an easier path, it can lead to choices that prioritize immediate gratification over the company’s fundamental values and long-term objectives.
deborah johnson
Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Author
If you are interested in growing and learning, check out our online courses here: Online Learning
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