grit
Life is complicated. The very busyness of it can create time famine and render us overwhelmed. That’s where grit or mental strength comes in. It involves resilience, willpower, skill, hard work, consistency, passion, perseverance and commitment. It is a key factor in achieving goals and is the foundation of long-term success. Can you develop mental strength? Absolutely. Here’s some strategies to help with just that:
Define Grit – What does grit or mental toughness mean to you? E.g., going after that business opportunity, going one month without missing a workout or calling one friend to catch up at least once a month. Once you have defined what it means to you, the key is to take action. Until you do, it’s only a concept. The choice is yours.
Embrace Flexibility – Rigid, irrational beliefs and/or expectations are often at the core of personal distress. Your perception of a situation is key. The more flexible your attitude and your ability to bend with the circumstances, as appropriate, the happier you will be.
Practice Objectivity – As Shakespeare said, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” How we think influences how we feel and in turn how we behave. So, try stepping back from the problem to gain perspective. Once emotional equilibrium is restored, attempt to problem solve those things within your control (see Managing Workload).
Relinquish Entitlement – Entitlement is often the refuge of the fixed mindset. According to Dr Carol Dweck, “fixed mindsets try to repair their self-esteem after failure by assigning blame or making excuses.” John McEnroe for example, believed that innate talent was everything and that when he wasn’t winning, someone or something else was responsible. The reality is life will not always go as planned. Rather, embrace setbacks and challenges – use them as opportunities for growth.
Build Resilience- Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. It is a core component of mental strength and can be learned. In addition to the strategies discussed in Resilience, Brené Brown, Ph.D, in The Gifts of Imperfection suggests that:
“Cultivating hope [(i.e., tenacity, perseverance and a belief in one’s own abilities.]
Practicing critical awareness
Letting go of numbing and taking the edge off vulnerability, discomfort and pain”
are significantly essential to resilience.
6.Cultivate Gratitude – A core component of mental strength is gratitude. Be thankful for what you have. When socially comparing, acknowledge the perceived success of others, be inspired by it, set realistic achievable goals and enjoy the process of working towards them. As John Donne said, “No man is an island.” Acknowledge the contribution of others. Dr Carol Dweck noted in the course of her research that, “growth-minded leaders were full of gratitude” for their workers to whom they attributed the possibility of their journey. Express your gratitude. Build up the people around you.