The DMGB Mindset: Doesn't Matter, Get Better.

If there are outcomes I want in my life, but they’re not happening, the reason is I haven’t tried or I’m not good enough. If I was good enough right now to create all the things I want, I’d already have them. You would too.

But there are things you desire that you don’t have. Results you want that you’re not producing. Places you want to be that you’re not getting. The reason is you either haven’t tried or you're not good enough . . . yet.

In either case, what’s the answer? DMGB.

Doesn’t matter, get better. Always the mindset. Always the answer.

What does DMGB mean?

“Doesn't Matter, Get Better” (DMGB) is a simple, sticky reminder that no matter where you are, no matter what happens, no matter what the result, you have to keep moving forward at your best.

How many times have you seen someone start, struggle, then quit? How often do you see people make progress and see some success then become complacent with their standards and effort? DMGB is required in both sets of circumstances. Win or lose, DMGB is the mindset for your next move. It always supplies the obvious answer.

DMGB doesn't mean ignoring your feelings, pretending like it’s no big deal, and forgetting the past. Not at all. The DMGB Mindset appreciates everything that happens. It reflects and learns from wins and losses. It embraces reality and encourages optimism. It uses every experience as a step in the process and a launchpad to improve.

DMGB does more than direct your mindset after wins and losses, it keeps you grounded to the reality that your circumstances don't define you. Your choices do.

No matter what happened yesterday, you are responsible for today. No matter what happens today, you are responsible for tomorrow. DMGB is liberating and humbling.

How to build The DMGB Mindset

For all those reasons, DMGB is an incredible mindset for anyone who wants to live as the best version of themselves. Like anything worth gaining, learning how to use and live The DMGB Mindset requires a lifetime of effort. But it will bring you immediate value.

Here’s how to get started and accelerate forward.

Choose discipline.

Everything starts with choosing discipline. I send an email newsletter called Daily Discipline Monday through Friday because discipline is the difference between doing the work and not doing the work. That’s always the starting point.

You can’t practice DMGB without discipline. If you try, you will end up using it as a quote and gimmick phrase like most people. You need to put in time, effort, blood, sweat, and yes, even tears to get better. Without discipline, you’ll wait for someone else to do the work. You’ll rely solely on your talent. You’ll let your circumstances define you then control you. None of that makes the cut for DMGB.

Self-Awareness without self-judgment.

Arguably the most important attribute in a person is their level of self-awareness. No one likes being around a person with low self-awareness. People like that don’t see how their behavior affects situations and others around them.

Self-awareness is a foundation of DMGB because with awareness comes options. Without it you’re unable to recognize the impact of your actions and where they need to improve. The better you know yourself the better you’ll be at practicing DMGB.

E+R=O

E+R=O is my favorite equation. Event+Response=Outcome. Three letters. Three simple words. Limitless life applications. Endless challenges.

E+R=O is how life works. How you respond to events and how you pursue outcomes determines your quality of life. Not your past. Not your current circumstances. You don’t control events. You don’t control outcomes. You control how you respond. If you respond well enough for long enough, you can create incredible outcomes. But if you don’t respond well enough for long enough, the outcomes you create will not be great.

Where E+R=O and DMGB intersect is their shared focus of maximizing your existing situation to prioritize the choices and actions you need to take now.

How to build The DMGB Mindset into your team.

Since I posted the original DMGB video in August 2017, I have seen thousands of leaders take DMGB and immediately implement it on their team. Here are a few strategies for introducing and driving DMGB on your team.

Start with Responsibility & Humility

This isn’t limited to the application of DMGB, so it’s got extra ROI. Whether your record books are marked by wins or losses, your team was led there by you. It's not just your staff or your teammates who need to get better, it’s you. Be transparent with your team about why DMGB is important to you. Where do you use it? Discuss how the leadership team is using it to get better and future situations where it will make the biggest difference.

Eliminate BCD

BCD stands for Blaming, Complaining, and Defensiveness. Similar to excuses, it’s toxic to any positive forward progress. These three actions are the opposite of DMGB. They hold your team back from getting better. BCD is an argument against getting better. It says, "Doesn’t matter, stay the same."

The DMGB Mindset is allergic to excuses. They prevent you from accepting the reality of where you are and how you need to improve. Excuses keep your team tethered to where they are. DMGB sets your team free to move forward.

Destroy your excuses. Eject them from your leadership. Quickly correct them within your team.

Be a Real Leader

Leadership isn't cool. It's hard work dealing with the most uncontrollable and complex variable in the world—human behavior. It's an important role. Your actions impact the lives of the people you lead.

Bringing DMGB to your team requires a lot of hard work and continuous coaching. If you do it well enough for long enough, DMGB will become part of your culture. It will become the standard.

Not just for the team. Not just to compete. But for you. For the people, you lead. For life.