Mental Strength for Success

Most of us spent lot of time and money on mental strength but how many of us do actually care about mental strength? If not; then start doing so because mental strength can mean more than physical strength.

"Mental strength or toughness is to physical as 4:1." - Bobby Knight

Mental toughness is having the psychological edge that allows one to perform at peak maximum effort and efficiency during the demands that are placed on them during training, practice, or competition. Specifically, when the demands are greatest or the conditions become adverse.

Whenever the demands are the greatest is when the characteristics of mental toughness are the most evident.

Some of the many characteristics that are evident when a player is mentally tough include:

• Self-confidence
• Self-motivation
• Focus
• Concentration
• Composure
• Calmness
• Poise
• Self-control
• Positive Energy
• Determination
• Persistence
• Leadership

When we are free of depression, anxiety, excessive stress and worry, addictions, and other psychological problems, we are more able to live our lives to the fullest.

Peace of mind is a natural condition, and is available to everyone.

"Failure makes me try harder the next time." –Michael Jordan

Walt Disney's first animation business in the 1920's failed after only one month, forcing him to take a job from another company at that time.

Edmund Hillary failed three times before finally being the first to climb Mt. Everest.

Few things which mentally strong people avoid. They are:

1.     Waste time feeling sorry for themselves.

2.     Waste energy on things they can't control

3.     Fear taking calculated risk.

4.     Dwell on the past.

5.     Make same mistake over and over.

6.     Cherish Other People's Success.

7.     Give up after failure

8.     Expect Instant Result.

• Expect Instant Result: 

Mentally strong people do not 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 improve step by step to reach their goals and taste the success.

• Give Up after Failure: 

Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest leaders, entrepreneurs admits that there early efforts invariably tasted 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.

• Dwell on the past: 

Most of them live in the fantasies of the "glory days" gone by or keep miring their past disappointments. Especially with young generation students who keep on cribs about their medium of education, schooling, economical status etc.

• Fear Taking Calculated Risk: 

A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks. This is a different thing than taking a foolish risk. They easily weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides.

•  Make Same Mistake Again and Again:

  A mentally strong person accepts fully responsibility for past behaviour and is willing to learn from the mistakes. Making same mistake again and again; with a hope for a different and better outcome is foolishness. Ability to self-reflective in an accurate and productive way is one of the greatest strength.

• Cherish 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 when other's succeed. Although they may take a close notes on what the individual did well. They are willing to work hard for their own chances at success, without relying on short cuts. 

• Waste Time Feeling Sorry For Themselves:

Mentally strong people don't feel sorry for their circumstances or dwelling on the way they have been mistreated. They learn to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes and they inherit understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair. They try to learn lessons from the situation and move on to next.

• Waste Energy on Things They Can't Control:

Mentally strong people do not complain much about other peoples, interviewers, educational background and financial status. They recognize that one thing they can always control is their own response and attitude, and they use these attributes well.

• Change Is For Good:

Mentally strong people always accept the change and they strongly believe change is for good. They believe change will bring out their best also get a chance to learn more or upgrade their skills. Shy away from change is one of the qualities which is not found in them.

How to become Mentally Strong?

See the Glass Half Full:

If you decide to see things in a positive light, you will see them as such. (Alternatively, if you decide to focus on the negative, you will only see the negative.) We control how we perceive the world. When you choose to focus on the positive, you will begin to see positive changes in both your emotional health and the rest of your life. Being positive will help you to face the things that might upset you, thus allowing your to become stronger emotionally.

Self Confidence:

Confidence is key when becoming emotionally stronger. Being confident in the fact that you are an awesome, beautiful, smart individual will allow you to be more in control of your emotions. When something bad happens, rather than bursting into tears and getting nothing done, remind yourself that you have the ability to overcome this obstacle, whatever it may be. Once you believe you are confident and strong emotionally, you will unconsciously act stronger than before and begin to take control over your emotional whims.

Networking:

Surround yourself with people who make you feel and act like the best person you can be. Having a great support system will help you to become an emotionally stronger person. When you have someone to lean on, you are much less likely to lose control of your emotions. Improve your professional network through Linked-in.

Role Models:

Role models who are strong, confident individuals can help you on your path to becoming emotionally stronger. If the person is someone you know, ask him or her how he/she deals with negative emotions, change, etc.