Leaders Gain Mental Toughness Through Practice

In 2015, I read a couple of books on developing a robust mindset and building mental toughness.

My take-away: I don’t need to read any more books on mental toughness. I need to practice BEING mentally tough. Mental toughness is earned, not given. Reading about mental toughness can take you to the brink of experience, but you need to practice it.

Leadership mental toughness is about choosing to stay the course when something becomes difficult or unpleasant. No magic. Just decide once, and stay committed. Don’t give yourself an out. Ignore the whiny “this doesn’t feel good” and “surely you’re ready to quit!” voices in your mental subcommittee.

Here is some encouraging information:

• Exercise physiologists have found that most people are less than 60% spent when they give up and quit in a physical test. Our minds may be kicking in protection mode long before our muscles are actually done.
• Review the times you thought were really hard at the time and now think, “that would be easy compared to what I’m facing today.” Those undergrads I taught years ago were sincerely whining “You have no idea how hard I have it!” while I was finishing my doctorate, running a side business, and starting a family.
• The fact that you are reading this means you are better off economically than 60% of the world’s population. You have more than you think.

The team motto on one of our short-term mission trips was “You can’t make it tough enough for me to complain.” That’s a good personal mantra for you and me.

The next time your inner committee whines about something being difficult, remind them that You are in charge, and you’re looking forward to building more toughness. This self-leadership will become a strong foundation for leading others in difficult situations.