Mental strength is the ability to control your mind instead of being controlled by it. Instead of getting sucked into spirals of self-criticism and shame, mental strength is what allows you to redirect your attention and think somewhere else that is less destructive.
Be honest about how you feel emotionally
- Take 3 seconds to acknowledge your emotions honestly, rather than avoiding them
- This teaches your brain that painful feelings are things to be avoided and feared
- When you train your brain to fear your own feelings, that is a set-up for emotional fragility and pain
- You can teach your brain the opposite message by simply being willing to talk about them honestly, both to yourself and others
Resist unnecessary mental time travel
- Many instances of depression and low self-esteem are driven by powerful mental habits of self-criticism and self-judgment
- The key to lowering your anxiety is being smarter about when you choose to use your tool for imagining problems in the future
- For example, the vast majority of anxiety comes from unhelpful thinking about the future
Distinguish wants vs. values
- Resist unhealthy impulses and cravings by shifting your focus to your values instead
- Identify and clarify the values-what you really want, your ideals
- True values and ideals contain much more motivating force than momentary whims or impulses
