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Published May 8, 2023

The MOST IMPORTANT Skills That Determine SUCCESS | Javier Hernández & Lewis Howes

Javier Hernández, Mexico's revered soccer star, delves into the mental toughness required in high-pressure sports, revealing how authenticity, growth, and strategic career moves have shaped his success both on and off the field, while also reflecting on personal sacrifices and invaluable lessons from football legends.
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  • Mental Fitness

    emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing emotions for mental fitness. He shares how his family taught him to express emotions healthily, which helped him stay focused and resilient. Javier's awareness of his teammates' actions and his own mindset played a crucial role in his success on the field 1.

    If you're feeling sad, cry. If you're feeling angry, let it out. Don't like with all due respect, but by yourself in a way, shout and that's it. And you let it out. If you're happy, laugh, enjoy it.

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    This emotional intelligence allowed him to navigate the pressures of professional sports and maintain his mental health 2.

       

    Authenticity

    Embracing vulnerability has been a significant part of Javier's journey. He believes that showing vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of bravery and authenticity. Javier reflects on how societal expectations often pressured him to behave in certain ways, but he has learned to be true to himself 3.

    If I show you vulnerability, it's not weakness, man. Because I'm showing you vulnerability. I'm not telling you that that vulnerability is controlling me. That's different.

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    He now strives to be more authentic and open, understanding that his worth is not tied to his achievements but to his humanity 4.

       

    Continuous Improvement

    Javier's dedication to continuous improvement is evident in his approach to both personal and professional growth. He shares how his family instilled in him the mindset of always striving for better, regardless of past successes. This relentless pursuit of excellence has shaped his champion mindset 5.

    If you win a match you always want to win another one. If you score one you always want to. If you play one World cup you want to play more. If you score 100 goals now you want to score 200 goals.

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    Javier believes that the difference between champions and others lies in their passion and willingness to endure hardships for their goals 6.

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