By Tayyab Babar
I am not ashamed to admit that I am a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode that always comes to mind is when Wesley Crusher had just missed getting into Star Fleet Academy. Captain Picard consoles him by telling him the real measure of a man is what he learns from his mistakes.
If you look at real-life historical figures, there are many examples of those that exhibit mental toughness. One that stands out is Teddy Roosevelt. His words and deeds tell the true character he possessed.
Teddy Roosevelt. Captain Picard. Examples in fiction and non fiction of inner strength and fortitude. But many people may not look at themselves as a mentally strong person. We are often our harshest critics and do not realize what kind of strengths we possess. Here are 25 signs that show you have nerves of steel:
1. You don’t yell or become easily angry.
Even in the harshest stress factors, you choose to stay calm and you try to handle situations smoothly. You feel that by raising your voice, you’re lowering yourself.
2. You are open to feedback.
You are not afraid to voice your opinion; neither are you afraid to take other’s opinions or feedback, whether they’re negative or positive. You rather welcome it so you can learn.
3. You apologize when necessary.
You know well when you've made a mistake and you apologize, not worrying about losing face. You are aware that by apologizing, you’ll be the bigger person.
4. You are willing to adjust to bring improvement.
Being a mentally strong person, you’re adaptable to change. You know that change is good for whatever condition you’re in.
5. You don’t limit your thoughts to just superficial matters.
You don’t just see things as they are. You look deep into matters and you read into things before drawing a conclusion.
6. You refrain from expectations on others.
You don’t expect anything in return when you go the extra mile for someone. You have always been selfless.
7. You know how to set boundaries to keep things in perspective.
You don’t let others cross the limits you've set, and you let others know about those limits politely yet firmly.
8. You are open to receiving help.
You are well aware of the areas you’re weak in and you are not afraid to ask for help from others. You know that by doing so, you’re only learning.
9. You are not co-dependent.
You are just not the kind who relies on others emotionally or just to get things done. By doing so, you maintain a healthy relationship both personally and professionally.
10. You follow your instincts.
You believe in gaining experiences, because of which you learn to follow your instincts to guide your judgement.
11. You forgive yourself.
It’s hard to move on if you don’t let go, and this is one of the things you’ve learned over the years. So you forgive yourself when you make a mistake and leave the past where it belongs instead of dwelling on it.
12. You understand your limitations.
You have certain limits that you've established for yourself and you've embraced them because you know well that that is who you are.
13. You understand that conflict can bring resolution to a problem.
You know that holding grudges has never been a solution to problems, nor has anyone achieved anything out of it. So you think of a solution, instead.
14. You avoid procrastination.
You prefer to finish the task at hand before moving to the next one. Although procrastination sounds appealing, it only keeps piling up work.
15. You take negativity with grain of salt.
You've hardly ever made assumptions without first being fully aware of the situation. You avoid believing in the negative stuff that you've been told, as much as you can.
16. You are responsible in financial matters.
You, in general are a wise person. You don’t only make decisions wisely; you also avoid spending money foolishly.
17. You know that persistence pays off.
You have a strong will power which doesn't let you give up on things you really want. You keep persisting until you know success is at your doorstep.
18. You find ways around any obstacle.
You keep trying and you don’t stop until you've achieved that target. Giving up just isn't your thing, but looking for alternatives is.
19. You are always looking for ways to improve yourself.
You often feel that you can do better and that there’s always room for improvement, because you embraced the fact that no one is perfect a long time back.
20. You take action in maintaining your health.
If you’re not healthy, you’re not wealthy and wise — and that you’re motto. So you try to eat, sleep, drink and breathe healthy as much as is possible for you.
21. You try new things outside your comfort zone.
It’s not as if you get bored easily but staying put gives you no exposure nor do you learn. You move outside that comfort zone to experience change and fun along with it.
22. You do not blame circumstances on extrinsic things.
You take everything into consideration and you know that blaming something that’s beyond your control is useless and silly.
23. You use your time wisely.
Going around wasting your time is a big “NO” for you. So you choose to spend that time productively so that others along with you can benefit.
24. You let others take the lead.
You know how things are done so you sit back, relax and others take the lead while you enjoy. You do try to give them your full support, though, if they need it.
25. You remain calm and clear of thought during a crisis.
Good result of anything comes out when it’s done with a peaceful and a calm mind. So even in a crisis situation, you try your best to remain calm.
Life is full of challenges that must be dealt with. The ability to deal with these challenges requires some degree of mental toughness. The types of stress in daily life can vary. Things happen, from missing a credit card payment to dealing with death in the family. Everyone also deals with problems in a different capacity.
Some may question whether they have any mental toughness in them. Certain people have ice in their veins, while others are ready to run at a moment’s notice. If you feel you are someone who lacks being a mentally strong person, train yourself to be. Read about people whose actions you admire.
Study those that dealt with adversity and created change. Learn how to use that for positive change in your own life.
Source: http://www.lifehack.org/
