The Ted Lasso Approach to Your Life

Those of you that know me know that I’m a huge Ted Lasso fan. Not only because of its exceptional writing and acting but because of the beautiful life lessons and deep messages that are woven in each and every episode.

One such episode inspired this post...

In the third and final season, Ted shares the concept of four aspects or pillars of “Total Football” with the team. He came up with the four pillars after having an epiphany in Amsterdam that helped him get “unstuck”. This new approach completely changed how the players would interact with each other on the pitch.

The four pillars were:

1. Conditioning 

2. Versatility 

3. Awareness 

4. …and one that didn’t reveal itself to Ted right away

Since Dany Rojas was always speaking to “Football is Life”, I connected the dots in my mind and saw how truly relevant Ted’s epiphany was in all of our lives. Allow me to expand.

Conditioning

Though Ted was referring to the team’s physical conditioning and training, this also applies to mental conditioning. In this case, I would classify it as Discipline. In its simplest form, discipline is our ability to give ourselves a command, and then follow it.

This should not be confused with rigidity. We can be disciplined yet fluid in our execution. It’s an art and it takes time to master (see Awareness below).

My approach to discipline is this - 99% is hard, 100% is easy. When you are fully committed and have decided on your goal, then no distraction, no deviation will take you from that goal. If, on the other hand, you’ve half-heartedly decided, as in “sure I’ll start that diet, but all bets are off on my birthday”, then you’re in jeopardy of completely derailing your entire mission. That 1% is bloated with slices of cake, glasses of wine, and sleeping in instead of taking on your day. 

Am I saying you can’t do any of these things ever again? Of course not. However, while you’re focused on a goal, until you’ve hit your stride and are in the “new normal” of healthy, productive habits, then forego those for the time being. When you do get to that place where you allow yourself the cake, the wine, the sleeping in - you’ll wonder what the big deal was about in the first place. 

Awareness

Did you know there are 7 levels of awareness? When we feel “stuck” at certain points in our lives (as Ted was before his epiphany), it’s because we’re not listening to the intuitive nudges* we’re receiving.

Understanding the 7 levels of awareness, helps us better study who we are and where we’re at in our lives. Here they are in a nutshell:

1. Animal - your fight or flight reaction state

2. Mass - when you do what everyone else is doing because that’s what seems “acceptable”

3. Aspiration - you start wanting more, different, better

4. Individual - you start acting (in an unsure way) on the “more” you want, but your old programming is waging war and smacking you back to #2 Mass awareness.

5. Discipline (see Conditioning above) - you’ve made up your mind you’re going for it, you’ve burned the ships and you’re telling your paradigm who’s boss.

6. Experience - this is it! You’ve taken consistent action on your aspirations and you’re getting the results you wanted.

7. Mastery - You’ve got the key to manifesting. You’re now looking at bigger and better things and set yourself on “rinse and repeat”. 

Understand that old programming, your paradigm - that collection of habits in that part of your subconscious mind that’s the primary cause of your behaviour - will kick in and start fighting back at level 4. Depending on who you are sharing your Aspirations with, your paradigm might get some outside help via well-meaning friends and family and knock you back to Mass awareness. 

It’s at Level 4 that it is vitally important you be surrounded and supported by like-minded individuals. You don’t have to throw out the baby with the bath water here. People who have known you your entire life and have seen you a certain way will find it difficult to accept the New You. When you can identify their level of awareness, you can tap into compassion rather than defensiveness. Find your tribe, develop your ideas, COMMIT and take action. Your results are what will raise the level of awareness around you. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Versatility

Constant spaced repetition of conditioning causes our bodies and our minds to become more resilient. When we consider that the only constant in life is change, it serves us to stay in the best shape possible so we can pivot when the situation calls for it. 

Let’s face it, there are only two things that can cause us to change: emotional impact (divorce, job loss, health crisis, etc), or constant spaced repetition of healthy habits that add up over time to big changes. The latter is the secret sauce to resilience. 

That’s why so many of us don’t see the value in continuing studies. We think that because we’ve done tons of study in school, we’re “over” it and have all the information we need to go forward. Nothing could be more wrong. Ignorance is the new pandemic and the only cure is knowledge. Dedicated study time (even just 15 minutes of reading a day) on personal development helps to strengthen our mental muscles, especially as we integrate what we’ve learned into our everyday lives. Observe successful people . They’ll tell you that they are constantly learning and growing. 

The Final and Fourth Pillar

In the final episode of the series, the fourth and final aspect of Total Football reveals itself through each of the team members as they re-assemble the iconic “BELIEVE” sign from the first season. The conditioning, the versatility and to a certain extent the awareness are all for naught since you can never outperform your level of belief. 

Your paradigm will need some adjustment if your level of belief is sub-par. This isn’t an overnight thing, but it does require conscious effort. I use the word “conscious” very deliberately. Thought patterns, self-talk will have to be a) observed to see what serves and what doesn’t and b) replacement thoughts will have to be drilled in - constantly, repetitively. You won’t buy it at first, but it will become your new normal, just give it time. These beliefs didn’t happen overnight, so it will take a steady consistent hand to dismantle, dim down the noise and turn up the volume on your belief.

There are a number of vehicles to help fast-track your belief:

1. Hire a coach (either 1:1 or through group coaching). A coach provides the support, the accountability and the tools you need to integrate a new, healthier, more productive approach to all areas of your life. A productive individual is a happy individual.  

2. Join a mastermind to work with like-minded individuals who are committed to your success by providing solid and sound advice

3. Join a study group to put dedicated study time on your calendar to keep refining and sharpening your skills. Study groups also provide opportunities to present what you’re learning and discuss it as a group.

I am always happy to jump on a call to see how I can best serve and support you in your journey.

If you’re looking for accessible, affordable and actionable coaching, then join the Badass Coaching Membership Program. This incorporates monthly coaching, weekly study group, and phenomenal member prices on elite coaching programs. 

Here’s to putting your best foot forward on the pitch of your life!