We used to believe that intelligence, talent, and good fortune made up a perfect recipe for success. Here’s the good news though: all of that stuff is not necessary. Experts now concur that mental toughness is the sole undisputed indicator of success.
Call it tenacity, determination, or outright stubbornness. It is the constant push you give yourself to advance and improve in all you do. A mentally robust person has no time for self-pity or justifications.
If you want to win, you will go to great lengths to avoid losing. Do you believe you possess it? Let’s investigate. You are cognitively stronger than the average person if you exhibit the following traits.
You possess both EQ and IQ.
There’s a huge misconception about mental toughness. People believe that being mentally strong means you have to be unemotional. But that’s simply not true. Mental toughness doesn’t require you to stop feeling your emotions. It only means having the ability to balance your emotions with logic.
Mentally strong people understand that emotions don’t negatively affect success. Emotions play a vital role in making the best decisions when mixed with a hefty dose of logic. Being emotional only stops you when you let it consume you, but acknowledging your feelings is actually essential for your well-being.
You acknowledge your
Mentally strong people don’t believe they are invincible to failure. They just don’t let their weaknesses stop them from trying. While other people make excuses for the things they can’t do, you find ways to get around them.
Either you delegate the tasks you cannot do, or you develop a plan to succeed despite them. Your weaknesses aren’t a setback. They’re just challenges you need to overcome.
You’re good at handling failure.
Failing isn’t something that really bothers you. You don’t look at failure like it’s a rejection for you. It’s a sign that you’re growing and evolving. Failing at something is only a step towards making it right. You’ll fail until you get the results you want.
It’s not the end game. You are mentally strong. If you know how to take life’s hardest lessons in stride and turn them into wins instead.
You know when to walk away.
You’re stubborn. You don’t give up unless there’s a very good reason to. Being mentally strong also means recognizing when it’s time to walk away. In Alan Bernstein’s and Peggy Streep’s book, Mastering the Art of Quitting, they explain that sometimes quitting requires a huge leap of faith, imagining an as yet unrealized future and a willingness to take on the possibility of failure, along with the emotional fallout that accompanies it.
There’s a phenomenon called sunk cost fallacy, which means continuing to aim at a certain goal for the unreasonable logic that you’ve already put so much energy and time into it.
But to a mentally strong person, recognizing your limitations is something you have no trouble realizing. Sure, you’re stubborn. You push yourself more than other people do. However, even you know that there are things beyond your capabilities.
You focus on intrinsic motivations.
Intrinsic motivations are internal motivations that come from within you. Instead of focusing on external rewards like money, fame, etc., you are motivated internally to do things for your own sake. That includes doing better, being better, and pushing yourself to be stronger.
These things in themselves are your reward. Mentally strong people know that real success comes from within. The rest follows afterward.
You are self-directed.
Mentally strong people don’t wait around for things to happen. They happen to things. You’re mentally tougher than average if you don’t let life happen to you. Instead, you initiate action to get the ball of life rolling. How do you do that? By setting goals
According to a study published in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, elite athletes attribute goal setting as one of the biggest contributors to developing mental toughness. Small goals. Big goals, short or long term goals. You turn everything into a process of moving towards something the nutshell you’re simply willing to put in the work, and that creates a major impact on the way you do things.
You understand that life is a cycle.
Mentally strong people have a deep understanding that life isn’t and couldn’t ever be a continuous state of bliss. They know that there are highs and lows in life, and that happiness is just a state of being, not a permanent emotion. In fact, mentally strong people expect adversity.
You’re mentally stronger than average because you know that challenges and suffering. As a part of life. Not only that, but you believe that they are the reasons why your willpower is strong.
You understand the commitment.
Commitment is something mentally tough people have in abundance. They don’t do anything halfway. It’s either they do it all the way or not at all. You’re mentally stronger than normal when you commit yourself 100% to anything you choose to do.
However, you aren’t necessarily committed because you just want to succeed. You know that you’re bound to experience setbacks. Setbacks are tough. Yes. But for you, the important takeaways in each challenge are the lessons and experiences you get from them.
You know how to adapt.
You’re only stubborn in the sense that you try harder than anyone else, but you’re not too stubborn to realize that you need to adapt to your environment to succeed. Change is one thing in life that you can’t stop from happening. You know, it’s uncomfortable, sometimes even painful. But, you know it is necessary if you want to succeed.
You understand self improvement is necessary, but self acceptance is equally as important.
The idea of self-improvement can sometimes be taken out of context. People follow it so religiously that they forget how to be content with themselves as mentally strong people. You understand that balance is key. You know that there are more things to learn, to improve, and to discover.
But you also balance it out with a hefty dose of self-acceptance. You love and acknowledge the things that make you strong. However, you accept that your weaknesses aren’t a death sentence, just a reality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
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|---|---|
| 1. What are the signs of mental strength? | Mental strength signs include resilience, emotional control, adaptability, and positive thinking. |
| 2. How can I improve my mental strength? | Improving mental strength involves self-awareness, practicing mindfulness, and seeking support when needed. |
| 3. Is mental strength the same as being stoic? | No, mental strength is about emotional balance, not suppressing emotions like stoicism. |
| 4. Can anyone become mentally strong? | Yes, with effort and practice, anyone can develop mental strength. |
| 5. Are there exercises to boost mental strength? | Yes, exercises like meditation, journaling, and positive affirmations can help strengthen your mental resilience. |
| 6. What role does a support system play in mental strength? | A strong support system can provide emotional support and encouragement, enhancing your mental strength. |
| 7. How do I know if I need professional help for mental strength? | If you struggle with severe emotional issues or mental health conditions, it’s advisable to seek professional guidance. |
