Live with an Underdog Mentality

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I was listening to a podcast the other day (like most days) and the host was interviewing Aaron Watson. Some of you may not know Aaron Watson, but he is an independent country artist. While being interviewed, he was asked to play a song. 

He played the song, "Fence Post," which gave me the idea for this article. Some of you may not be country music fans, but the message of overcoming underdog status is very motivating. I have quoted a few of the lyrics from this song below.

“Now this is a true story for the most part
That occurred on the top floor of this
Bigwig record executive’s office in Nashville, Tennessee
Now understand I’m not poking any fun or disrespecting anybody
God knows I love country music with all my heart and soul
And I love the Grand Ole Opry
But I do have a problem with someone who
Can’t even play a D chord on a guitar
Telling someone with a dream that they won’t get far
So this song is dedicated to all those underdogs like me
Out there running around
Don’t get discouraged if you have a dream
Don’t be afraid to chase it down”
— Fence Post - Aaron Watson

If you think about it, most of us are the underdogs. We live in this country with great opportunities. Yet, we live our lives working graveyard shifts or nine to fives. We put in overtime to get out of debt. We cut expenses, because every little bit helps.

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Most of us have a dream. Most of us have at least one goal. Whether it is to get out of debt or to become the greatest country music artist of all time, we have to start living our lives with the underdog mentality. 

What is the underdog mentality?

I like to think of it in terms of March Madness. Every year, there are underdogs that somehow beat the big boys. There will be a 12 seed that beats a five seed. There will be an 11 seed that beats a six seed. There could even be a 13 seed that beats the four seed. 

This year, just like every other year, there will be upsets in March Madness. There will be this Cinderella story. There will be this team that shocks the world. 

These teams don't just shock the world by shear luck, but instead they put in the extra hours of preparation. They study their opponents. They do everything they can to gain an advantage on the other team. In most cases, an underdog comes out on top, because they wanted it more than the other guy.

That's the underdog mentality. It's scratching and clawing your way to the top.. It's an intense focus on the task at hand. It's a don't sleep, till the job gets done type of attitude. It's an 'I want it more' type of attitude.

Most of us regular people are underdogs and we can shock world. We can do whatever our heart desires. But to be completely honest, most people will fail in shocking the world. 

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Most people don't have the drive to cut their expenses way down and get out of debt. Most people don't have the drive to save excessively. Most people just want to live their lives with their $5 cup of coffee everyday and their excessive cable bills. Most people don't want to sacrifice. Most people want to be successful, but don't want to put in any of the work.

That's not how life works. People are rewarded for their hard work and ingenuity. People are rewarded for taking chances. People are rewarded for scratching and clawing their way to the top.

That's the underdog mentality. It's the I got to do this type of attitude. 

Everybody in America, can be successful today. Everybody can get out of debt and build wealth. Everybody can be millionaires. 

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It just takes added focus and a drive to hit your goal. It takes long nights of work and extra jobs. It takes extra intensity.

You can become intense and do whatever your heart desires! Start living differently. Start creating your very own underdog story. 

Reaching the Financial Summit, Starts with You!

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Below is the audio of "Fence Post" by Aaron Watson.