Get strong, mentally
You may have noticed that we’ve been focusing on our heads a lot lately. Or, rather, what’s in our head. As the writer, I write about stuff that’s top of my mind. And lately that’s mental strength. The news is horrible every day and I’ve been having a hard time sleeping with it all. On top of that our aging AC gave up the ghost in the middle of this major heatwave. So we’ve retreated to the basement where it’s cooler – dogs and all. My brain keeps going to the “What if” place and I keep telling it to stop. I’m succeeding for the most part. Does that qualify as mental strength? Anyway, I’ll take it. Really, though, how do you build up your mental strength?
Is consistency key?
First off, what makes someone mentally strong? James Clear believes that it comes down to consistency. Athletes who are mentally strong don’t miss workouts. Mentally strong leaders work toward a goal consistently, a bit every day. They don’t let short-term setbacks deter them. And mentally strong writers, artists and employees show up every day and do what’s needed.
Others seem to agree that consistency is important, but they also have other tips for gaining mental strength.
Why is it important?
But why is having mental strength important? First off, you’ll stay committed to your goals, what’s important to you. You’ll have more resilience and be able to adapt more quickly when things go sideways. Also, you’ll be able to deal with stress better. When you have to make an important decision, being mentally strong gives you an edge.
Tips for building mental strength
So about those other tips for building up your mental strength: First off, practice mindfulness. Be present and fully engaged, or focused, on yourself and your surroundings. Meditation can help ground you, or take a mindful walk, observing your surroundings. Calm.com says that this can “enhance your focus, reduce stress, and improve emotional regulation.” All these enhance your mental fortitude.
Second, be kind to yourself. Acknowledge your mistakes but go easy on yourself. Self-compassion goes a long way toward being strong mentally. Also be aware of your feelings. Try journaling them. The more you know yourself, you’ll know what you’re capable of.
Third, try new things. Step out of your comfort zone. Start a new hobby that you’re intrigued by. This will also enhance your resilience. You’ll have new experiences, perhaps meet new people.
Develop a positive mindset. Challenge your negative thoughts. This will cultivate an optimistic but realistic outlook. Practice this frequently and don’t be surprised if your problem-solving ability is also enhanced.
Learn from your failures. We’ve talked about failing goals recently. By acknowledging those failures, you can learn valuable lessons about yourself.
So, make it a priority to develop mental strength. You’re already doing most of the work. You set goals and are learning about yourself in studying the failures. You’re practicing mindfulness and cultivating a positive mindset.
