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September 9, 2025
A few years ago, I worked with a young athlete named Marcus. He wasn’t the most talented player on his team, but he had something special.
While others left practice early, Marcus stayed late, perfecting the same drill over and over. When his teammates grumbled through conditioning, he encouraged them. When he wasn’t playing, he was studying the game, asking questions, and looking for ways to improve.
One day, I asked him why he worked so hard when no one was watching. He smiled and said, “Coach, I just want to go above and beyond the call of duty. That’s what separates people.”
That line stuck with me—and it captures the heart of the ABCD mindset: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.
It’s not just for athletes like Marcus. It’s for anyone—coaches, parents, business leaders, or everyday people—who want to rise above “average” and live with excellence.
Not long ago, I met a business leader named Karen who ran a mid-sized company. On paper, she was “the boss,” but what made her stand out wasn’t her title—it was her mindset.
When her team was under pressure to deliver a big project, she didn’t just delegate and retreat to her office. She rolled up her sleeves, worked late nights alongside her employees, and made sure every person felt seen and supported.
One of her team members told me later, “She didn’t just tell us to go above and beyond—she showed us how to live it.”
Karen’s approach built loyalty, trust, and a culture of excellence. Just like Marcus on the field, she embodied the ABCD mindset in her world.
Then there’s David, a father of three. David works long hours, but every night he makes it a point to be fully present with his kids. Even when he’s tired, he reads to them, asks about their day, and listens with patience.
When his oldest struggled with school, David didn’t just hand over the responsibility to teachers. He sat down at the kitchen table, helped with homework, and reminded his child, “We’re in this together.”
His kids know they can count on him—not because he’s perfect, but because he consistently goes above and beyond for them. That’s the ABCD mindset at home.
Marcus didn’t see extra work as punishment. Karen didn’t see late nights as burden. David didn’t see parenting challenges as interruptions. They all saw opportunities.
The right attitude doesn’t erase challenges—it transforms them.
Each story proves the same truth: attitude must show up in behavior.
Behavior is your commitment in motion.
On days Marcus didn’t feel like training, he showed up anyway. When Karen’s company was stressed, she leaned in. When David was exhausted, he still gave his children his best.
Commitment transforms “try” into “do.”
Marcus built discipline in small daily habits. Karen modeled discipline through consistency.
David showed discipline by making family a daily priority.
Discipline is the bridge between who you are today and who you’re becoming tomorrow.
Marcus became a team captain. Karen built a loyal team and a thriving company. David raised children who felt deeply loved and supported.
None of them relied solely on talent, luck, or circumstances. They chose, every day, to live Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.
And so can you.
So ask yourself today:
Success isn’t about doing the bare minimum. It’s about consistently living the ABCD mindset—on the field, in the office, at home, and in life.
Your move today: Choose one letter—A, B, C, or D—and take one action that goes above and beyond. Small steps compound into championship-level results.
As a mental performance coach, I often remind athletes and coaches that talent gets you noticed, but mindset keeps you in the game. The difference between good and great, between average and extraordinary, is often hidden in the choices you make when no one is watching.
That’s where the ABCD mindset comes in: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.
Champions don’t just do what’s expected—they do more. They understand that the bare minimum creates the bare minimum results. True peak performance requires an approach that consistently pushes past comfort, past excuses, and past “good enough.”
Here’s how you can adopt the ABCD mindset:
Everything starts with attitude. Your perspective shapes your performance. A positive, resilient attitude isn’t about ignoring obstacles—it’s about facing them head-on with belief and determination.
Great athletes train their attitude the same way they train their body.
Attitude without action doesn’t build champions. Behavior is about your daily habits and routines. It’s what you do in the weight room, on the field, and at home. Champions don’t wait for motivation—they live with discipline.
Your behaviors are proof of your commitment.
Commitment is the glue that holds everything together. It’s the decision to keep going when your feelings tell you to quit. Commitment means you follow through on promises you’ve made to yourself, your teammates, and your goals.
When you live committed, your actions consistently rise above and beyond the call of duty.
Discipline is the daily choice to do what needs to be done, especially when you don’t feel like it.
Talent is wasted without discipline.
Discipline turns potential into performance.
When you bring Attitude, Behavior, Commitment, and Discipline together, you create the ABCD mindset. That’s when you live Above and Beyond the Call of Duty.
Every rep, every practice, every game becomes an opportunity to separate yourself from the competition—not by doing more than others expect of you, but by doing what you expect of yourself at the highest level.
If you want to become unstoppable, start asking:
The truth is, champions aren’t born. They’re built—one ABCD choice at a time.
Your challenge today: Pick one area—Attitude, Behavior, Commitment, or Discipline—and take one action that goes above and beyond the call of duty. Watch how it changes your performance and your confidence.
