Click through to also find out how to improve concentration.
In today’s fast paced world, and with growing pressures on all fronts, everyone needs to focus more on mental strength.
Mental strength is an important characteristic in our heroes. The reality is, we must also be strong-minded if we are to overcome the obstacles we meet every day.
There are six major characteristics of mental toughness:
- Confidence > Having the belief in yourself may increase your mental strength if applied correctly.
- Focus > The ability to concentrate on the task at hand and stay focused on that task is an unbelievably important skill that many cannot seem to master.
- Motivation > Finding motivation is easy. Keeping motivation is a challenge. Motivation ties in closely with focus because the majority of lost motivation stems from the lack of or a shift in focus.
- Courage > Courage is having fear but acting as if you don’t.
- Composure > Being calm and in control of oneself.
- Resiliency > Means pushing through until you reach your destination.
Here are 18 tips to build a strong mind:
Focus on the Present
It is hard for us to focus on the present. With so much chaos going on around us, it is easy to see how we could forget our own names.
There is crazy stuff happening all around us and it is tough to stay centered and focused. So how can we stay focused? By only focusing on taking the next step. Don’t think about what is going to happen in 20 minutes, or what happened in your past. Only focus on the present and taking that next step.
Don’t try to Please Everyone
There is no need to please everyone all the time. Mentally strong people recognize that they don’t need to do this and speak up and voice their views.
Have a Short Memory
Learn to let go and move on quickly so that you can achieve your goal.
Don’t Dwell on the Past
Mentally strong people don’t dwell on the past. Move forward and live for the present and the future.
Be Optimistic
It is easy to become negative when a tough situation arises. The easiest and best method is to control your thoughts. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so start now and write down all negative thoughts you have in the day. On the next day begin to get rid of those negative thoughts and one by one replace them with positive ones. This is a great start to a new mindset.
Practice Meditation
Learn any form of meditation so you can access to a relaxed “zone” in times of stress.
Compare Yourself to Yourself
Comparing yourself to other people on a regular basis can easily lead to feeling inferior, so compare you to yourself. See your improvement. See how far you have come. Appreciate yourself and focus what you have done and are doing rather that what everyone else is doing.
Never Give Others Power to Put You Down
Refuse to give other people the power to make you feel bad or down.
Don’t Make The Same Mistake Twice
Mentally strong people accept responsibility for their actions and behavior and learn from them.
Understand that Change Is Inevitable
Whether or not we like it, change is a necessary and inevitable fact of life. Mentally strengthen yourself by being flexible and even welcoming positive changes. Adapting to different circumstances gracefully is a valuable skill to have.
Repeating Affirmations
Mental affirmations are a great method. Repeating words in your mind to help you focus on a task is an excellent way to cast off the extra chaos.
Don’t Give Up after Failure
Don’t view failure as a reason to give up. Use it as an opportunity to grow and improve.
Have Faith in Yourself!
Faith in oneself is the most important part of the mental strength formula. Remember, you are a lot stronger physically and mentally than you think you are.
Fear Time Alone
Enjoy and even value the time you spend alone. Use your downtime to reflect, to plan, and to be productive. Most importantly, you don’t need anyone to sympathise on your happiness and mood.
Absolutely Never Say or Think Can’t or Hate – change to I WILL
Change all your thinking to I wills: “I will not surrender. I will not give up. I will not show weakness on the outside. I love competing against these tough players. I will conquer this course. I will be prepared to compete. I will think positively.”
Don’t Expect Immediate Results
Things take time, be patience and understand that most things aren’t instant.
Read Good Books
You can create discipline by reading every night. Reading a good book is a form of ritual but it also helps to put great things into your mind.
Do What You Think is the Right Thing
By doing the right thing your self-esteem goes up and other peoples’ opinions about you and life will matter less to you.
Believe. Act As If
This is also known as “Fake it until you make it” Don’t sell yourself short.
We hope these things can help you as you become more mentally tough. It’s not an easy path and it will require lots of time and energy.
Are you mentally tough? What have you found that works for you when dealing with stress and emotions? Let us know if these things help you.
Keep Smiling and always believe
