Increasing Mental Toughness

We frequently discuss how to strengthen our mental fortitude. What about the actions we ought to abstain from, though? Unbelievably, quitting some harmful habits can help you become cognitively stronger.

Let's examine the harmful behaviors that we must all give up if we wish to develop greater mental fortitude.

"Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don’t so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." – Joe Henderson

Stop putting things off.

We've all been there: the unpleasant conversation can wait, the report can be written tomorrow, and the washing can wait. But the truth is that procrastination is a significant obstacle to developing mental toughness. It's not just about being lazy. In essence, when we put off doing anything, we are saying to ourselves, "I can't handle this right now." And what's this? You start to believe it more and more the more you say it. It's a downward spiral that might drastically weaken your mental fortitude and self-assurance. How do you combat procrastination, then? Begin modestly. Choose one item you've put off, and finish it today. Today, not tomorrow or next week. Even though it can seem straightforward, acting right away is a big step in developing mental toughness. Remember that mental toughness and Rome weren't both constructed in a day.

Stop self-critical speech.

Do you have a small voice in your head that constantly criticizes you for your actions? Yes, you should tell that voice to go away. Self-talk that is negative can be quite harmful. It may cause you to question your skills, degrade your self-worth, or even have an adverse effect on your mental health. Additionally, it won't make you intellectually stronger. Awareness is the key to putting an end to negative self-talk. Be mindful of your ideas. Stop thinking negatively when you catch yourself doing so and refute it. Is this truly true, you ask? Or am I being overly critical of myself? Positive affirmations can also be a wonderful aid in replacing negative ones. Instead of telling yourself, "I can't do this," try reminding yourself, "I can handle whatever comes my way." You'll be astonished by how much one tiny adjustment can strengthen your mental fortitude. Keep in mind that you wouldn't criticize a buddy, so why would you do it to yourself? Be courteous and respectful to yourself as you would others. You'll be glad you altered your way of thinking.

Stop avoiding challenging circumstances.

There was a period in my life when I would steer clear of anything that sounded overly challenging or confusing. Have a difficult discussion with a friend? No, I'd want to remain silent. Try taking on a difficult project at work? I would stay with what I knew in no way. But what's this? My life didn't get any simpler by avoiding challenging experiences. It actually made me feel more frail. I avoided things because every time I did, I felt like a failure. I was telling myself that I lacked the fortitude to deal with these circumstances. Things changed when I made the decision to begin tackling these circumstances head-on. Yes, at first it was uncomfortable. It did occasionally not turn out as expected, yes. However, I felt stronger the more I did it.

So, my recommendation to you is to not avoid uncomfortable circumstances. Accept them. Consider them as chances to develop and strengthen your mental fortitude. Every obstacle you overcome offers you the potential to develop into a stronger version of yourself. to repress your genuine emotions or engage in activities you don't truly want to. Stress, fatigue, and resentment can result from this, none of which are good for developing mental toughness. Concentrate on what makes you happy rather than attempting to make everyone else happy. Learn to say no when it's necessary and establish limits. At first, it could feel awkward, but as time passes, you'll discover that it gets easier and you feel much better about yourself. An empty cup cannot be used to pour. You'll be in a lot better position to assist others if you take care of yourself first. You'll also be mentally stronger as a result.

Quit blaming other people

It's simple to assign blame when something goes wrong. It's much more difficult to accept accountability for our own deeds and choices. But the simple fact is that blaming others won't help anything. It only keeps us stationary in the same spot. We cede our power when we point the finger at others. We are effectively declaring, "I have no control over my life or my choices." But that is untrue. Every time, we have an option. And assuming accountability for those decisions, both the positive and negative ones, is a crucial step in developing mental toughness. So instead of blaming others, look inward. What decisions have you made? What can you change for the future? Although it's not always simple, self-reflection is essential for developing one's character and mental fortitude.

"He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe." – Marcus Aurelius

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