Learning to face complications and setbacks while remaining confident in our ability to persevere is a long road. If developing mental resiliency were easy, everyone would do it and the idea of giving up would be strange to us.
The fact is, life throws obstacles in our path that can seem, in the moment, overwhelming. We must train our minds to withstand the despair and hopelessness that chip away at our confidence and optimism when things go awry.
There are 8 most common threats to burdening our psychological tenacity:
- Self-Pity – Feeling sorry for ourselves is exhausting. It takes alot of energy. We end up dwelling on our unfavorable circumstances rather than seeking ways to succeed in our goals. It makes us focus on the fears of things going wrong as opposed to what could go right. It is the prevention of resilience.
- Self-Doubt – It is impossible to remain mentally strong when lacking confidence in our abiliies and skills. Insecurity breeds inaction. It can paralyze us from moving ahead.
- Inner Critic – This has a crippling effect on our cognitive resolve. This is the voice in our heads telling us we’re not good enough and finds fault in what we are trying to accomplish. This might prove to be the most challenging threat on your mental toughness. It is there to distract you and force negative thoughts.
- Fear – The fear of disappointing others, ourselves, not meeting expectations, of failure, of the unknown. Whatever reason, fear sabotages our resilience. It releases unhealthy emotions and makes us focus on negative outcomes. We freeze and become overwhelmed. It distorts reality, and makes us feel defeated before even attempting something.
- Laziness – The feeling of sluggishness will make us less likely to persevere when things go wrong. Rather than perseverence, we feel defeat due to our lack of energy.
- Perfectionism – We all want to appear flawless. But, if our mental state keeps nagging at us that our performance is less than perfect, this brings center stage to our inner critic. If we see our results as less than perfect, we focus on our frustration and anger as opposed to building positive mental toughness.
- Emotionalism – Positive emotions such as joy, hope, love and inspiration can help us feel confident and optimistic. Negative emotions such as anger, sadness and jealousy can lead to feelings of frustration, resentment and anxiety. If we are in a pool of negativity, we surrender our emotions and are less able to cope with focusing on the positives.
- Self-Limiting Beliefs – We all have strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes we believe that we cannot do something, when in reality we can. These negative beliefs limit us. They sabotage us before we even get started. They convince us that we’re incapable of achieving what we have hoped to accomplish. By listening to these inward thoughts we consequently inhibit our personal potential.
Resilience and mental stamina is that deeper part of us and the reality of being human. It is an essential part of our life experiences. Life doesn’t get easier, we get stronger. By holding ourselves responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of us is to not make excuses or live in self-pity. No matter how much falls upon us, we need to keep plowing ahead. Overcoming our life obstacles is our path to success and the happiness we seek.
A good half of the art of living is resilience. When we learn how to become mentally tough, we learn how to embrace the beautifully broad spectrum of the human experiences. For only those who dare to fail greatly, can ever achieve greatly. If you fall 7 times, get up 8. Keep strengthening your mental balance and building resilience and you will soon be greeting success at your door.
