Few of us wake up in the morning with the intention of being a hero. Instead, we hope to just get by without any major stumbling blocks and complete what is expected of us.

It’s only when confronted with obstacles that threaten to derail our routines and plans that we don the armor and go into battle. As they say, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

In the work we do coaching individuals, I’ve noticed a big difference in the way successful people think and prioritize their plans. Successful people don’t limit their worldview. They aren’t prisoners of their own thoughts and their mindset isn’t limited by circumstances. They are able to see possibilities in the midst of crisis. They don’t want to simply “get by,” but rather they have the mental toughness to explore for more, no matter the apparent barriers.

What Is Mental Toughness?

Some people think that mental toughness is the ability to plow through circumstances without being affected by emotions or feelings. When it comes to success, however, high performers know that the key is to identify, control, and manage emotions, both their own and others’.

"Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain. Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial. Also, most importantly, it is combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in. It’s a state of mind – you could call it ‘character in action.’" - Vince Lombardi

Mental toughness means perceiving, understanding, using, and managing feelings. When you are aware and curious about emotions, you are sensitive to others’ needs. This puts you in a stronger position to shift your mindset and see possibilities and sort out negative from positive feelings to make better decisions.

In our coaching practice, we use The Birkman Method to help you identify your mindset, understand other’s points of view and build capacity to approach crisis with resilience and fortitude.

“He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.” ~ Lao Tzu

Often people request coaching in order to help them become more self-aware. It’s hard to see yourself without an outside observer.

Mental toughness strengthens your ability to distinguish positive emotions from negative ones. Then you can choose to express feelings appropriately in a way that connects with other people, their needs, and desired outcomes.

What do you think about your own mental toughness? Do you need to improve it, tone it down, or are you operating in the zone of “just right?” I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or email directly – dave@worklifeonline.com.