Mental strength is something we all depend on to help us cope with stressful situations, but there are ways that we limit that quality. By examining the things we do to interfere with our mental strength, we can learn to be more resilient in pursuing our goals and objectives.
Do You Have Imposter Syndrome?
This is that feeling that you’re not really as good as people think you are, either at work, in school, or in competitions. It can leave you feeling that you only achieved victory, recognition, or a promotion, because you successfully fooled others. In general, you have an inability to accept success.
You May Suffer from Low Efficacy
Efficacy is essentially your confidence in your ability to complete a task or solve a problem. This means there may be some aspect of your job or your studies in which you feel inferior to the task. Conversely, if you have high efficacy, research suggests you’ll be more likely to succeed in business and creative endeavors.
Be Wary of a Fixed Mindset
If you have a fixed mindset, you likely doubt your ability to grow and learn. Mental strength is compromised in individuals who doubt their ability to learn new tasks and skills. Instead, they believe they have already learned everything they’re capable of learning.
Poor Thinking Habits
We often trap ourselves into thinking a certain way and this limits our resilience and our ability to access our mental strength. Such traps can include jumping to conclusions and mind reading, thinking in absolutes (all or nothing), and personalizing (taking the blame for everything) or externalizing (placing the blame on others without reason).
Giving Stress Too Much Credit
When you read too much into your stress levels and blame that for the harm in your life, which can inhibit your ability to function. By focusing on the good that stress can do, such as motivating you to improve, you’ll feel less anxiety and be more satisfied with your life.
Focusing on the Worst Case Scenario
Thinking everything is going to automatically lead to the most catastrophic outcome can inhibit your ability to perform. You’ll begin believing your efforts will bear no fruit and will see little point in putting in the effort. When focus on a highly negative outcome, you’re limiting your ability to act.
Indulging a Pessimistic Outlook
This is a mindset in which you expect negative things to happen and, when they do, you’re proven right. Conversely, when good things happen, you explain them away as luck or chance. People who fall into this way of thinking often develop anxiety and depression. They can feel a constant sense of dread and hopelessness, because nothing seems to go right for them.
By identifying your poor mindsets and negative thinking habits, you’ll be more likely to recognize them, as they occur. This can help you to correct your way of thinking, so you can maintain a more positive way of thinking. Over time, you’ll develop a naturally positive attitude and that will strengthen your mind and make you more resilient.