10 Things Mentally Tough People Do
To be mentally tough requires discipline.
We all reach a critical point in our lives where our mental toughness is
tested. Perhaps we are in a dead-end job, or in a struggling
relationship. Either way, whatever the challenge, you need to be strong
to see things through a new lens and take decisive action if you want to
move through this phase successfully. While it may sound easy, being
mentally tough, particularly during moments of our life where we feel
stuck, can be pretty hard. It requires the ability to break the mold,
and take a bold, new direction.
Thomas Edison can be viewed as a classic
example of mental toughness. When his factory burned to the ground in
1914, destroying one-of-a-kind prototypes and causing $23 million in
damage, Edison's response was simple, 'Thank goodness all our mistakes
were burned up. Now we can start fresh again.' His reaction is the
epitome of mental toughness - seeing an opportunity and taking action
when things look bleak.
This is what it takes to be a mentally tough person.1. They’re emotionally intelligent
Emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of mental toughness. After
all, you cannot be mentally tough without the ability to fully
understand and tolerate strong, negative emotions, and do something
productive with them. When we encounter moments that test our mental
toughness, ultimately, we are testing our emotional intelligence (EQ).
2. They’re confident
Henry Ford's notion couldn't ring truer: 'Whether you think you can, or
you think you can't - you're right.' Which basically states that your
mentality has a powerful effect on your ability to succeed. A recent
study, conducted at the University of Melbourne, showed that confident
people went on to earn higher wages and get promoted more quickly than
others did. Confidence in mentally tough people inspires others and
helps them to make things happen. 3. They neutralize toxic people
It can be frustrating and exhausting to deal with difficult people. But
mentally tough people control their interactions with toxic people by
keeping their feelings in check. When they need to confront a toxic
person, they approach the situation rationally, identifying their
emotions, without allowing anger or frustration to fuel the chaos. They
also consider the other person's standpoint and are able to find common
ground and solutions to problems. When things derail, mentally tough
people avoid letting a toxic person bring them down.
mentally tough4. They embrace change
Mentally tough people adapt easily. They are aware that fear of change
can be paralyzing and a major threat to their success and happiness.
Mentally tough people seek change that is lurking around the corner, and
form a plan of action should these changes occur. You need to have an
open mind and open arms if you are going to recognize change and
capitalize on the opportunities that change creates.
5. They say no
The more difficulty you have in saying no, the more likely you are to
experience stress, burnout, and even depression. Saying no is sometimes,
a healthy option. When it's time to say no, mentally tough people do
not use phrases like, 'I don't think I can' or 'I'm not certain', they
say no with confidence. A mentally tough person also knows how to exert
self-control by saying no to themselves. They generally tend to delay
gratification and avoid impulsive actions that cause harm.
6. They are aware that fear is the number one source of regret
A mentally tough person knows that in the end, they are more likely to
regret the chances they didn't take, far more than the failures they
will encounter. Dwelling on your mistakes makes you anxious while
forgetting about them makes you more likely to repeat them. Find a
balance by transforming your failures into a means of improvement. This
creates a tendency to get right back up every time you fall down.
7. They embrace failure
The road to success is paved with failure, and mentally tough people
know this. No one ever experienced true success without first embracing
failure. Your mistakes reveal the wrong path that you have taken, paving
the way to success. And the biggest breakthroughs typically come when
you are feeling the most frustrated, and the most stuck. This
frustration forces you to think differently, to look outside the box and
see what you've been missing. 8. But they don't dwell on mistakes either
Where you focus your attention determines your emotional state. Fixating
on problems you're dealing with creates and prolongs negative emotions
and stress, hindering performance. When you focus on actions to better
yourself, and your situation, you create a sense of personal efficacy.
This produces positive emotions and improves performance. Mentally tough
people distance themselves from their mistakes, yet they do not forget
the mistakes they've made either. They, therefore, keep their mistakes
at a safe distance, while keeping them handy enough to refer to. Through
this skill, they are able to adapt and adjust for future success.
9. They won’t let anyone limit their joy
If your sense of pleasure and satisfaction is derived from comparing
yourself to others, you are no longer the master of your own happiness.
Mentally tough people feel good about what they do and won't let
another's opinions or accomplishments bring them down.
10. They don’t limit the joy of others
A mentally tough person doesn't pass judgment on others. In their eyes,
everyone has something to offer and they don't need to take other people
down in order to feel good about themselves. When you compare yourself
to other people, jealousy and resentment can take over. Mentally tough
people don't waste their time or energy, worrying whether they measure
up to others.