FORBES LISTS 13 THINGS MENTALLY STRONG PEOPLE AVOID: For all the time executives spend concerned about physical strength and health, when it comes down to it, mental strength can mean even more. Particularly for entrepreneurs, numerous articles talk about critical characteristics of mental strength -- tenacity, “grit,” optimism and an ability to “fail up.” Here is the avoidance list, shared by a psychotherapist/ licensed clinical social worker: · Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves. You do not see mentally strong people feeling sorry for their circumstances or dwelling on the way they have been mistreated. They have learned to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and they have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair. · Give Away Their Power. Mentally strong people avoid giving others the power to make them feel inferior or bad. They understand they are in control of their actions and emotions. They know their strength is in their ability to manage the way they respond. · Shy Away from Change. Mentally strong people embrace change, and they welcome challenge. Their biggest “fear,” if they have one, is not of the unknown, but of becoming complacent and stagnant. · Waste Energy on Things They Cannot Control. Mentally strong people do not complain much about bad traffic, lost luggage or especially about other people, as they recognize that all of these factors are generally beyond their control. · Worry About Pleasing Others. Know any people pleasers? Or, conversely, people who go out of their way to dis-please others as a way of reinforcing an image of strength? Neither position is a good one. A mentally strong person strives to be kind and fair, and to please others where appropriate, but is unafraid to speak up. · Fear Taking Calculated Risks. A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks, which is a different thing entirely than jumping headlong into foolish risks. But with mental strength, an individual can weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides and even the worst-case scenarios before he takes action. · Dwell on the Past. There is strength in acknowledging the past and especially in acknowledging the things learned from past experiences -- but a mentally strong person is able to avoid miring his mental energy in past disappointments or in fantasies of the “glory days” gone by. · Make the Same Mistakes Over and Over. We all know the definition of insanity, right? It is taking the same actions again and again while hoping for a different and better outcome than before. A mentally strong person accepts full responsibility for past behavior and is willing to learn from mistakes. · Resent Other People’s Success. It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success. Mentally strong people have this ability. They do not become jealous or resentful when others succeed (although they may take close notes on what the individual did well). · Give Up After Failure. Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest entrepreneurs are willing to admit that their early efforts invariably brought many failures. · Fear Alone Time. Mentally strong people enjoy and even treasure the time they spend alone. They use their downtime to reflect, to plan and to be productive. Most importantly, they do not depend on others to shore up their happiness and moods. · Feel the World Owes Them Something. Particularly in the current economy, executives and employees at every level are gaining the realization that the world does not owe them a salary, a benefits package and a comfortable life, regardless of their preparation and schooling. Mentally strong people enter the world prepared to work and succeed on their merits, at every stage of the game. · Expect Immediate Results. Whether it is a workout plan, a nutritional regimen or starting a business, mentally strong people are “in it for the long haul”. They know better than to expect immediate results. They apply their energy and time in measured doses, and they celebrate each milestone and increment of success on the way.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:39:50 +0000
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