I am going to turn things around a little bit here.
Instead of writing about what it means to be mentally strong…I have put a list below of things that mentally strong people do not do.
So, step one is going to be to mark the ones that you do. (Disclaimer: these do not need to reflect constant behavior but you’re typical go to space) – –
And here we go!
A Checklist To Be Mentally Strong
___ Feel sorry for yourself
___ Give your power away
___ Shy away from change
___ Waste energy on things that you cannot control
___ Worry about pleasing everyone
___ Fear taking calculated risks
___ Dwell on the past
___ Make the same mistakes over and over again
___ Resent other peoples success
___ Give up after the first failure
___ Fear alone time
___ Feel the world owes you something
___ Expect immediate results
Take Responsibility For Your Own Healthy Habits
It takes time to train your mind to be stronger than your emotions in order to become mentally emotionally strong.
The mentally strong have healthy habits. They manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in ways that set them up for success in life. I have taken the list from above and put down what a mentally strong individual does instead.
They do not waste time feeling sorry for themselves.
They take responsibility for their role in live, and they understand that it’s not always fair or easy.
Keep Your Power
They are not emotionally weak.
They do not give their power away. No one controls them, such as; “My boss makes me feel bad.”
They understand that they are in control over their own emotions, and they have a choice in how they respond.
No one can make you feel anything you do not want to feel.
Change Can Be Good
They do not shy away from change.
They welcome positive change and are willing to be flexible. They understand that change is inevitable and believe in their abilities to adapt.
Check Your Attitude
They do not waste energy on things they cannot control. They do not complain about things they cannot control: traffic, lost luggage, etc.
They focus on what they can control in their lives. They recognize that sometimes, the only thing they can control is their attitude.
Be Kind and Be True
They do not worry about pleasing everyone. They are not afraid to speak up when necessary or say no.
They strive to be kind and fair. But, they can handle other people being upset if they didn’t make them happy.
Calculate Your Risks
They do not fear taking calculated risks. They do not take reckless or foolish risks but do not mind taking calculated risks.
They spend time weighing the risks and benefits before making a big decision. They are fully informed of the potential downside prior to taking action.
Avoid Dwelling
They do not dwell on the past. No dwelling. No wishing things could be different.
They acknowledge their past and can tell you what they’ve learned from it. However, they do not constantly relive bad experiences, or fantasize about the glory days.
They live in the present and plan for the future.
Learn From Mistakes
They do not make the same mistakes over and over again.
They accept responsibility for their behavior, and learn from their past mistakes.
The result?
They do not keep repeating those mistakes. They move forward, and they make conscious decisions in the future.
Celebrate Successes
They do not resent other peoples success.
They can celebrate other people’s successes in life.
They do not grow jealous or feel cheated when others surpass them.
They recognize that success comes with hard work. And, they are willing to work hard for their own chance at success.
If At First You Don’t Succeed
They do not give up after the first failure. They do not view failure as a reason to give up.
They use failure as an opportunity to grow and improve. They are willing to keep trying until they get it right.
Don’t Fear Being Alone
They do not fear alone time. They do not fear silence. They are not afraid to be alone with their thoughts and can use downtime to be productive.
They enjoy their own company, and are not dependent on others for companionship and entertainment. Instead, they can be happy alone.
You Owe It To Yourself
They do not feel the world owes them anything. They do not feel entitled to things in life.
They look for opportunities based on their own merits.
They do not have the mentality that others would take care of them or that the world must them something.
They are accountable and responsible for themselves. And, they take ownership in their own lives.
No Instant Gratification
They do not expect immediate results.
No, they apply their skills and time to the best of their ability. Furthermore, they understand that real change takes time.
YOU DID IT!
You made it through that list. So now take a deep breath! Maybe take another one. I am going to point out three keywords…these are the super secret words to being your journey to become mentally strong…
RESPONSIBILITY
PRESENT
LOVE
Be responsible for your choices and decisions.
Always stay in the present moment. The past has nothing to offer you and the future has not happened yet.
Love. You must love yourself so much that you come first.