I was impressed by this list compiled by Amy Morin, a psychotherapist
and licensed clinical social worker, that she shared in
LifeHack. I am sharing it on my blog because I found quite a few things that I could work on...
1. Waste Time Feeling Sorry for
Themselves. You don’t see mentally strong people
feeling sorry for their circumstances or dwelling on the way they’ve been
mistreated. They have learned to take responsibility for their actions and
outcomes, and they have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently
life is not fair. They are able to emerge from trying circumstances with
self-awareness and gratitude for the lessons learned. When a situation turns
out badly, they respond with phrases such as “Oh, well.” Or perhaps simply,
“Next!”
2. Give Away Their Power. Mentally strong people avoid giving others the power to
make them feel inferior or bad. They understand they are in control of their
actions and emotions. They know their strength is in their ability to manage
the way they respond.
3. Shy Away from Change. Mentally strong people embrace change and they welcome
challenge. Their biggest “fear,” if they have one, is not of the unknown, but
of becoming complacent and stagnant. An environment of change and even
uncertainty can energize a mentally strong person and bring out their best.
4. Waste Energy on Things They Can’t Control. Mentally strong people don’t complain (much) about bad
traffic, lost luggage, or especially about other people, as they
recognize that all of these factors are generally beyond their control. In a
bad situation, they recognize that the one thing they can always control is
their own response and attitude, and they use these attributes well.
5. Worry About Pleasing Others. Know any people pleasers? Or, conversely, people who go
out of their way to dis-please others as a way of reinforcing an image
of strength? Neither position is a good one. A mentally strong person strives
to be kind and fair and to please others where appropriate, but is unafraid to
speak up. They are able to withstand the possibility that someone will get
upset and will navigate the situation, wherever possible, with grace.
6. Fear Taking Calculated Risks. A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated
risks. This is a different thing entirely than jumping headlong into foolish
risks. But with mental strength, an individual can weigh the risks and benefits
thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides and even the
worst-case scenarios before they take action.
7. Dwell on the Past. There is strength in acknowledging the past and
especially in acknowledging the things learned from past experiences—but a
mentally strong person is able to avoid miring their mental energy in past
disappointments or in fantasies of the “glory days” gone by. They invest the
majority of their energy in creating an optimal present and future.
8. Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over. We all know the definition of insanity, right? It’s when
we take the same actions again and again while hoping for a different and
better outcome than we’ve gotten before. A mentally strong person accepts full
responsibility for past behavior and is willing to learn from mistakes. Research shows that the ability to be self-reflective in an accurate
and productive way is one of the greatest strengths of spectacularly successful
executives and entrepreneurs.
9. Resent Other People’s Success. It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and
excitement for other people’s success. Mentally strong people have this
ability. They don’t become jealous or resentful when others succeed (although
they may take close notes on what the individual did well). They are willing to
work hard for their own chances at success, without relying on shortcuts.
10. Give Up After Failure. Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest
entrepreneurs are willing to admit that their early efforts invariably brought
many failures. Mentally strong people are willing to fail again and again, if
necessary, as long as the learning experience from every “failure” can bring
them closer to their ultimate goals.
11. Fear Alone Time. Mentally strong people enjoy and even treasure the time
they spend alone. They use their downtime to reflect, to plan, and to be
productive. Most importantly, they don’t depend on others to shore up their
happiness and moods. They can be happy with others, and they can also be happy
alone.
12. Feel the World Owes Them Anything. Particularly in the current economy, executives and
employees at every level are gaining the realization that the world does not
owe them a salary, a benefits package and a comfortable life, regardless of
their preparation and schooling. Mentally strong people enter the world prepared
to work and succeed on their merits, at every stage of the game.
13. Expect Immediate Results. Whether it’s a workout plan, a nutritional regimen, or starting a business, mentally strong people are “in it for the long haul”. They know better than to expect immediate results. They apply their energy and time in measured doses and they celebrate each milestone and increment of success on the way. They have “staying power.” And they understand that genuine changes take time. Do you have mental strength? Are there elements on this list you need more of? With thanks to Amy Morin, I would like to reinforce my own abilities further in each of these areas today. How about you?
13. Expect Immediate Results. Whether it’s a workout plan, a nutritional regimen, or starting a business, mentally strong people are “in it for the long haul”. They know better than to expect immediate results. They apply their energy and time in measured doses and they celebrate each milestone and increment of success on the way. They have “staying power.” And they understand that genuine changes take time. Do you have mental strength? Are there elements on this list you need more of? With thanks to Amy Morin, I would like to reinforce my own abilities further in each of these areas today. How about you?
