Understanding the True Meaning of Mentally Tough
As a result of the Olympics, plenty of people are talking about being mentally tough. Thus, let’s talk about what mental 
strength is and what it isn’t.
Myths About Being Mentally Tough
First, mental strength has nothing to do with being “manly” or “macho.” It does not involve masculinity. It is all about dealing with the setbacks, challenges and demands that life throws at you.
But this has everything to do with resilience, and this is what mental strength is all about. Instead of letting the pressures of life get you down, you learn how to deal with them in a positive manner.
According to Peter Clough, mental strength is being able to handle things according to your own rules. You are confident and resilient enough to take things in stride and deal with life’s challenges one by one.
Also, mental strength has nothing to do with winning. This is especially the case if you are someone who likes to win at all costs. Although mentally tough people tend to win more battles than mentally sensitive people, mental strength is a part of having a winning personality. There are other factors that influence your ability to be a winner. These are things such as being aggressive and motivated.
Peter Clough says that being mentally tough involves being the best that you can possibly be. There is only one gold medalist for each Olympic sport. But everyone can be the best that they can be.
Loehr, the inventor of the term mental strength, was recognized universally when he coached during the US Olympics in Atlanta. All of the athletes got a personal best performance, but not all of them got medals. This proves that mental strength can lead to success, but it is mostly about everyone being a winner.
The next untruth about mental strength is the fact that many believe that it involves self-centeredness. This is not the case. But then again, if you think that you must win at all cost, then there may be some truth to this viewpoint after all.
But, on the other hand, it really isn’t about being selfish. Basically, if you are comfortable in your own skin, most likely you are sensitive to the needs of others. This is because you don’t have problems building friendships with other people because you are a confident person. You feel that you can overcome anything that comes your way.
Lastly, it might seem like we want everyone to embrace mental strength. This is not true. First, not everyone is the same. Diversity is a huge part of life. Secondly, it can be said that a mentally tough person is usually more successful than a mentally sensitive person, but this does not mean that mentally sensitive people are failures. There are a lot of successful mentally sensitive people. This is especially true when they are self- aware.
In addition, mental strength is just one of the many personality traits that a person can possess. It along with others can determine a person’s well-being and satisfaction in life. But keep in mind that although it works in combination with other traits, it is most definitely an important one. When it comes to mental strength, the goal is to understand what it is and how it works differently from one person to another. Keep in mind that self-awareness is the key. Each person has to learn how to change or adapt to what is taking place.
You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Measure
The Mental Toughness Questionnaire is an assessment that determines someone’s Mental Strength…at this moment. The questionnaire also provides tips on improving your Mental Strength. If you would like to take the Mental Toughness Questionnaire please contact me or go HERE for more info.
