Mental toughness - your guide to being your best!

I'll be honest - I thought I was going to faint this morning as I neared the end of my bike session. Whether it was the heat, perhaps the effect of not eating properly over the weekend, being tired or even having too many 'lazy days' over the weekend...(I had a tough few weeks okay!!), but I got to the 50 minute mark of my ride and I hit the wall in a very big way...I had to lye down with my feet in the air, trying to overcome an unwavering feeling of nauseousness!

It's times like these when shear determination and 'mind over matter' need to be called upon to get ourselves to move beyond our comfort zones and break through new ground.
This 'new ground' doesn't have to be purely physical, but could relate to the workplace, to your mental health or even your relationships with others.

So how can we improve our mental toughness??

- Though it is said that it is only with pain there is gain, this is not always true. Once you realize that failure and handicap does not actually prevent winning in life, you improve your mental strength by developing more confidence and courage to follow your dreams.

- Always do something you are not familiar with. This means you could walk a different route, stop watching television for a few days, drive to office using a different route or perhaps change your workout routines. By changing your routine, you become more adept in handling different and difficult situations with better calmness.

- Never dwell on things that go wrong. Instead, think what you should do next and move forward in your work. Think of avenues where you can do better and decide if your goals are reachable by you. Most important, keep goals that you can keep, and not follow goals that are meant for others.

- Always adapt a positive attitude about health and personal fitness. Paying too much attention to small aches and pains (within reason!) only leads to a deterioration of your mental strength.

- Meet more people who have done something great in their lives. It is not advisable to mingle with people who are suffering from unsolved problems and who are frustrated with their lack of achievement in life. This is because the negativity and woe they suffer from can pass on to you.

- Pay more attention on the rewards of your success, and not on focusing on mistakes you have done. Do only what is necessary today, and not on yesterday or tomorrow. This removes most of your worry.

- Always be ready for the unexpected. Remember that though you can’t control life or nature, you can be ready for things that may happen. This way, you have a better approach to life, and in whatever you do.

- If an endurance type event is your goal, make sure you include a long session in your training each week. Getting through the workout and being able to concentrate for extended periods of time strengthens your ability to 'push yourself' through those walls and barriers which prevent most people from continuing to reach their goals.

Go on, set yourself a new goal, push yourself to new horizons and make something of yourself in whatever field you dream of!
Xxx