Some people are mentally stronger than others, capable of easily recovering from setbacks, while others feel overwhelmed and lack confidence.
But how do you know if you are mentally stronger than others?
Scott Mautz, author of “The Mentally Strong Leader,” researched for 30 years to understand what makes people and leaders mentally strong.
He identified six essential mental skills: confidence, resilience, courage, decision-making, goal focus, and positive communication.
Strengthening these skills involves practicing mindful language with others and yourself.
According to him, you are mentally stronger if you always use these phrases to others or to yourself:
1. “Am I letting myself dream big?”
Mentally strong individuals think big and inspire others to do the same.
Despite daily busyness and self-doubt, they believe in the possibility of achieving significant goals.
To cultivate boldness, one must embrace big dreams and believe one can achieve them, leading to personal growth and achievement.
2. “I don’t have to do this; I get to do this”
Changing your perspective to see tasks as opportunities can bring gratitude and energy amidst work challenges.
For instance, when I travel for work, instead of thinking, “I have to do this,” I shift to “I get to do this,” like delivering a keynote that inspires others.
This mindset strengthens my positive communication skills, which are vital for mental resilience.
It helps me focus on the positives of my role as a speaker and writer, keeping me energized and joyful throughout the day.
3. “I’m enough.”
It’s normal to compare yourself to others and feel inferior, focusing on differences as obstacles.
However, these differences can propel us forward. The only comparison that truly counts is between your current self and your past self, focusing on personal growth.
People who are mentally stronger than others keep this in mind to boost their confidence.
4. “What’s the cost of indecision?”
Mentally strong individuals are decisive, untroubled by fear of mistakes, and prompt others to consider the implications of delaying decisions.
As a famous rock singer noted, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”
This hesitation can be costly, leading to increased timelines and expenses as resources are divided among various options.
5. “What possibilities does this setback present?”
Strengthening resilience involves seeing opportunities amid challenges, a key aspect of mental strength.
It’s easy to dwell on losses like time, money, progress, confidence, identity, or employment during tough times.
Mentally strong individuals shift their attention to what they still possess despite challenges, embracing new opportunities that emerge.
6. “Am I controlling the controllables?”
Mental strength is crucial for achieving success by maintaining focus on goals.
Conduct a “Control Check” by creating a two-column table to avoid distraction.
Label one column “Setbacks” and list obstacles that concern you.
Circle only the setbacks within your control.
The other column, “Systems,” outlines procedures and structures to address these challenges effectively.
Scott Mautz is an energetic speaker who excels at motivating and inspiring people to perform at their best.
Formerly a leader at Procter & Gamble overseeing major billion-dollar businesses, he is also a successful author and teaches at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business for Executive Education.
His courses on LinkedIn Learning have attracted over 1.5 million participants, and he frequently contributes to national publications and podcasts.
In “The Mentally Strong Leader,” Scott Mautz provides a roadmap for developing mental strength.
It starts with a self-assessment and is followed by a personalized plan with 50 tools.
These tools improve key mental skills like resilience, decision-making, confidence, goal-setting, courage, and communication.
He also authored:
“Leading from the Middle: A Playbook for Managers to Influence Up, Down, and Across the Organization”
“Find The Fire: Ignite Your Inspiration And Make Work Exciting Again”
“Make It Matter: How Managers Can Motivate by Creating Meaning”
Meanwhile, here’s a quick video about 10 signs that indicate you are mentally stronger than most people:
If you want to know more about Scott Mautz and his works, visit his website and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
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