Author Amy Morin’s book “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” is a great book to check-in and see where you stand. Here is the quick down and dirty.
- Don’t waste time feeling sorry for yourself – Everyday has its ups and downs If you dwell on the downs, you develop a glass half empty mentality.
- Don’t give away your power – Every day comes with new choices. These include how you respond to others, especially when criticism is involved. Evaluate feedback in terms of content, not personality or attitude.
- Don’t shy away from change.
- Don’t waste energy on things you can’t control – Quit wishing circumstances were different.
- Don’t worry about pleasing everyone – It’s ok to tell people, “I’m working on something; can I get back to you…”
- Don’t fear taking calculated risks – Choice involves risk, especially when facing change. You can’t win by playing not to lose.
- Don’t dwell on the past.
- Don’t make the same mistakes over and over – The wise man figures out why he fell off the horse before climbing back on.
- Don’t resent other people’s success – Insecurity, jealousy and envy create resentment. “The more time you spend focusing on someone else’s achievements, the less time you have to work on your own goals.”
- Don’t give up after the first failure – Successful people understand that failure is a side step on the path to success. Thomas Edison found thousands of ways NOT to invent the lightbulb.
- Don’t fear alone time.
- Don’t feel the world owes you anything – Effort begets reward and creates self-esteem and motivation.
- Don’t expect immediate results – There are no shortcuts to success.
If you are doing any of these, start to be fully conscious of it and begin to find ways to mark them off your list. One step at a time.
Make it a great day!