The 5 States of Mind: Your Mental Edge for Lasting Change

Every man lives in a state of mind. Some stay stuck in doubt, distraction, or comfort. Others step into conviction, ownership, and growth. The difference isn’t talent or opportunity, it’s the mental posture you choose when life gets hard.

When I ran 58 marathons in 58 days across all U.S. states and Australia, there were plenty of moments I could have quit. Day 5 in West Wendover was one of them. My legs were screaming, my mind was questioning if I’d gone too far, and the easy option was to stop.

What got me through wasn’t superhuman strength. It was the state of mind I chose to live in.

That experience and countless others in business, relationships, and life, taught me this: your state of mind determines your trajectory. And that’s why I created what I call the 5 States of Mind.

1. State of Conviction

Conviction is the foundation. It’s choosing to back yourself even when the evidence doesn’t line up. Without belief, every plan feels hollow. With it, you create unstoppable momentum.

Conviction is what kept me running when I doubted my body could hold up. It’s what keeps men pursuing their goals when fear whispers, “You can’t.”

2. State of Ownership

Belief is powerful, but without ownership it drifts into wishful thinking. Ownership is the decision to commit fully... no excuses, no blame, no outsourcing responsibility.

This is the pivot point in every man’s journey. Until you own your choices and outcomes, nothing changes.

3. State of Readiness 

Conviction and ownership get you started. Readiness keeps you in the game.

It’s the systems, routines, and environments that make success inevitable. For me, readiness looked like nutrition plans, travel logistics, and recovery strategies. Without them, no amount of belief could have saved me from breaking down.

Readiness is how you set yourself up to win long before you need to.

4. State of Excellence 

Excellence is about standards. Not perfection, but the consistent choice to give your best in the moments no one else sees.

It’s how you train, how you show up in meetings, how you love your partner. Execution with excellence compounds over time.

Every shortcut taken is a vote against the man you want to become.

5. State of Growth 

Growth is leaning into challenges. It’s not about beating someone else, it’s about beating yesterday’s version of you.

When I crossed the finish line of marathon 58, growth wasn’t about celebration. It was about asking, “What’s next?” Not because I wasn’t satisfied, but because growth is the ongoing commitment to expansion.

Bringing It All Together

The 5 States of Mind aren’t steps in a process. They’re tools you can step into at any moment. Some days you’ll need conviction. Other days, readiness will make the difference. Over time, the goal is to integrate all five until they become your default operating system.

In my coaching, I use the BECOME Method as the roadmap. The 5 States of Mind are the fuel that powers men through every stage of that journey. Together, they create a framework for lasting change.

If you’re honest with yourself, which of the 5 States do you need to step into today?

And if you want to find out exactly where your strengths and blind spots are right now, take the free Life Performance Scorecard

It’ll show you the truth and give you the clarity to move forward. Because when you shift your state of mind, you shift your life.