Mental Strength Can Make You Unstoppable—Here’s How
By strengthening your mind, you’ll be better prepared for life’s hurdles.Amy Morin
Rory is one of the strongest people I’ve ever worked with. He’s survived cancer. He’s lost his father, his longtime girlfriend and his job. A house fire destroyed his belongings. But rather than allowing hardships to make him bitter, Rory focused on getting up and getting better. He walked into my office saying, “I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to reach my goals and give back to others.” Despite the hand he was dealt, Rory expressed gratitude for what he had rather than focusing on everything he had lost. He learned and valued the lessons that came from his pain.Throughout my career as a psychotherapist, I’ve seen countless people beat the odds. Despite repeat tragedies, ongoing challenges and uphill battles, they persevered. They maintained a positive outlook on life. They stood back up each time they were knocked down.
I’ve also seen countless people succumb to their environment. They feel sorry for themselves, considering their situation to be worse than others. They spend time and mental energy stressing about things they can’t control. They’re resistant to change, often believing nothing will improve their situation. As a result, they often stay exactly where they are.
The tenacious individuals all had one thing in common: an insatiable desire to build mental muscle. They were determined to reach their greatest potential despite whatever challenges life threw at them. Those who collapsed in the face of adversity also shared a common thread: a static place in life. They were often passed up for promotions, struggled with long-term relationships and battled with emotional ups and downs.
It’s easy to feel mentally strong when life is going well. But sooner or later, you’ll reach a point when you need all the mental strength you can muster. A health crisis, a financial problem or relationship trouble are just a few of the challenges you’re likely to face.
Everyday stressors such as traffic jams and disagreements with co-workers can wear you down if you aren’t actively and consistently building yourself up.
How you respond to those challenges makes a big difference in your overall well-being. Will you be able to turn your struggles into strength? Or will your problems serve as roadblocks that stand between you and the life you want to live?
The Dangers of Mental Weakness
For many people, the fear of rejection, a lack of optimism or a host of self-sabotaging behaviors hold them back from reaching their goals. The hurdle that keeps someone from crossing over the space between a mediocre life and an extraordinary life is a lack of mental strength.
Your mind can be your best asset or your biggest weakness. If you don’t train it well, your negative thoughts will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
If you think I’ll never get hired, you’ll probably sit through an interview with slumped shoulders and lackluster responses. Your behavior could prevent you from making a good first impression and ultimately decrease your chances of being hired. When you don’t land the position, your self-limiting beliefs are reinforced and the negative cycle continues.
When you label yourself as not good enough or not smart enough, you equip your negative thoughts with the power to influence your emotions and behaviors. You can’t create positive change until you take back control of your thoughts. You can’t perform at your peak without a strong mindset.
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