Definition: Mental toughness is a collection of attributes that allow a person to persevere through difficult circumstances (such as difficult training or difficult competitive situations in games) and emerge without losing confidence.
Happy Tuesday beautiful hearts! As I was thinking about the post for today, I ran across an article on success.com. This article was entitled, "4 Characteristics of People Who are Mentally Tough." This article peaked my interest as I currently have my vision board perched in front of my writing space. As I think about my goals and vision for 2016, I can't help but wonder, what are these characteristics that allow a person to preserve through difficult circumstances? Are we all wired to succeed? What is this 'grit' that they talk about a person possessing?
As I read through the article I arrived at the buried treasure. The "4 C's to Mental Toughness" as developed by Dr. Peter Clough. His psychometric assessment allows for an appraisal in four defined areas. It's also important to note that one is not "born with mental toughness, its developed over time by focusing on key components."
THE 4 C's TO MENTAL TOUGHNESS:
As I read through the article I arrived at the buried treasure. The "4 C's to Mental Toughness" as developed by Dr. Peter Clough. His psychometric assessment allows for an appraisal in four defined areas. It's also important to note that one is not "born with mental toughness, its developed over time by focusing on key components."
THE 4 C's TO MENTAL TOUGHNESS:
- Confidence- Okay, seriously, do YOU, yes YOU reading this believe in yourself? Not only yourself, but your abilities to thrive and create? Can you throw yourself in situations where you have to be courageous and befriend the unknown? And while you're at it, do you feel like you have the social adeptness to engage with others? Can you walk into a room and feel like you belong there? Perhaps today as you reflect on your desires for the upcoming year, you need to get out of your comfort zone? How can you possess more confidence? The very thing that you fear doing, might just be the area of your life that sets you free into the realm of confidence. Just in case you forgot, there is no one on the planet like YOU....not to sound cliche, but be YOU...brilliant, creative, determined, clear, concise, loving, thoughtful, grateful, and daring. This is YOUR life. Live it with confidence! Rumi's wisdom echoes off of my heart, “Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”
- Challenge- Okay, I have to admit, I am not a fan of this concept, but I guess this is where my work lies. As I think about challenge and reframe its context, I understand that challenge offers us the ability to transform and grow. I think of nature and the challenge it faces everyday to slowly move into the next season. Nature is pretty ingenious! In the research by Dr. Clough, he noted that people who embrace challenges are the people who have the ability to 'think outside the box.' These people are the trailblazers of inventions and innovative ideas. As Steve Maraboli stated, “When you do what you love, the seemingly impossible becomes simply challenging, the laborious becomes purposeful resistance, the difficult loses its edge and is trampled by your progress.”
- Control- Can you close your eyes and feel your keen sense of control as you anticipate the ebb and flow of your life? You open one hand to receiving as the other becomes a receptor for giving. The dualities of life are ever present. Are you willing to find the power that lives within you? Your connection to your physical, emotional, and mental well being is a catalyst for your resiliency. As Anthony Robbins so beautifully states, “Live life fully while you're here. Experience everything. Take care of yourself and your friends. Have fun, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process. Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes: find the cause of your problem and eliminate it. Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human.”
- Commitment- Are you 100% in? Do you believe that you were placed on this Earth to accomplish greatness and help others? How do your goals reflect your commitment for greatness? Do you view the glass as half full or half empty? What do you know for sure about yourself? Even after a grueling day of setbacks, how do you show up? As Jim Collins said, "The kind of commitment I find among the best performers across virtually every field is a single-minded passion for what they do, an unwavering desire for excellence in the way they think and the way they work. Genuine confidence is what launches you out of bed in the morning, and through your day with a spring in your step."
May 2016 be a year in which you grow your muscle of "Mental Toughness." As you aspire towards your own greatness, remember the wisdom of Thomas Edison, "The successful person makes a habit of doing what the failing person doesn't like to do!"
May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
Sarah
May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
Sarah
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