Mental Toughness
Stresses and crises come and go. But sometimes many troubles can overwhelm you at once, making you feel like you’re drowning. It takes mental toughness to stay afloat, so you can’t afford to lose emotional strength. Build muscle by remembering the following:
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You Can’t Always Handle Everything at the Same Time
Mental toughness doesn’t mean superheroism. Multiple stresses tax your nerves and sometimes you simply can’t tackle all of them at once. Each may be terrible, but usually some problems are worse than others, so try to put them in order. Get a grip on the one that’s wreaking the most havoc in your life so that you can regain a feeling of control as soon as possible
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Keep Your Focus
As you try to get a handle on one problem, the others continue to push in on you too. Expect this but stay focused. Keep your attention on the most urgent problem. Eliminate distractions. Cut off your cellphone. Silence pings and dings on your computer. Push back on intruding thoughts about other troubles you’ll have to tackle later. Don’t give in to these worries. Remind yourself that you’re working on the most important stressor now and that the others will just have to wait.
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Take Time to Exhale
Focusing your attention and emotions on crises takes its toll. You can’t do this indefinitely without causing your psyche and health to suffer, so take a break once you’ve stopped the flood. Pause a moment to breathe, to relax, and to take care of your basic needs. Enjoy a meal – even though you must do so quickly and don’t have much appetite. Take a little walk to clear your head. Then get back on track to further contain the stress that confronts you. Or move on to the next problem that demands your attention.
Mental toughness is an essential coping skill. Keep strengthening yours. Focus your resolve on the most urgent stresses that plague you and remember to take time to take care of you!
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E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
About the Author:
Dr. E. Carol Webster is a clinical psychologist consultant specializing in Success Psychology.
She is author of the book for those dealing with the stress of success ―
Success Management: How to Get to the Top and Keep Your Sanity Once You Get There,
The Fear of Success: Stop It From Stopping You! ―
the book to help you overcome fears that may be holding you back in your life and career
The Private Practice of Clinical Psychology in: Voices of Historical & Contemporary Black American Pioneers
Money Smarts: Put More Profit In Your Private Practice!
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Your Success Psychologist!
Clinical Psychology Consulting
Mailing Address: 7027 West Broward Boulevard, #262 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317
954.797.9766 http://DrCarolWebster.com
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