However, we can also define mental
strength by identifying the things
mentally strong individuals don’t do.
Over the weekend, I was impressed by
this list compiled by Amy Morin, a
psychotherapist and licensed clinical
social worker, that she shared in
LifeHack. It impressed me enough I’d
also like to share her list here along
with my thoughts on how each of these
items is particularly applicable to
entrepreneurs.

1. Waste Time Feeling Sorry for
Themselves. You don’t see mentally
strong people feeling sorry for their
circumstances or dwelling on the way
they’ve been mistreated. They have
learned to take responsibility for their
actions and outcomes, and they have an
inherent understanding of the fact that
frequently life is not fair. They are able
to emerge from trying circumstances
with self-awareness and gratitude for
the lessons learned. When a situation
turns out badly, they respond with
phrases such as “Oh, well.” Or perhaps
simply, “Next!”

2. Give Away Their Power. Mentally
strong people avoid giving others the
power to make them feel inferior or bad.
They understand they are in control of
their actions and emotions. They know
their strength is in their ability to
manage the way they respond.

3. Shy Away from Change.
Mentally strong people embrace change
and they welcome challenge. Their
biggest “fear,” if they have one, is not of
the unknown, but of becoming complacent and stagnant. An environment of change and even
uncertainty can energize a mentally
strong person and bring out their best.

4. Waste Energy on Things They
Can’t Control. Mentally strong people
don’t complain (much) about bad traffic,
lost luggage, or especially about other
people, as they recognize that all of
these factors are generally beyond their
control. In a bad situation, they
recognize that the one thing they can
always control is their own response and
attitude, and they use these attributes
well.

5. Worry About Pleasing Others.
Know any people pleasers? Or,
conversely, people who go out of their
way to dis-please others as a way of
reinforcing an image of strength?
Neither position is a good one. A
mentally strong person strives to be
kind and fair and to please others where
appropriate, but is unafraid to speak up.
They are able to withstand the
possibility that someone will get upset
and will navigate the situation,
wherever possible, with grace.

6. Fear Taking Calculated Risks. A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks. This is a different thing
entirely than jumping headlong into foolish risks. But with mental strength, an individual can weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides and even the worst-case scenarios before they take action.

7. Dwell on the Past. There is
strength in acknowledging the past and
especially in acknowledging the things
learned from past experiences—but a
mentally strong person is able to avoid
miring their mental energy in past
disappointments or in fantasies of the
“glory days” gone by. They invest the
majority of their energy in creating an
optimal present and future.

8. Make the Same Mistakes Over
and Over. We all know the definition of
insanity, right? It’s when we take the
same actions again and again while
hoping for a different and better
outcome than we’ve gotten before. A
mentally strong person accepts full
responsibility for past behavior and is
willing to learn from mistakes. Research
shows that the ability to be self-
reflective in an accurate and productive
way is one of the greatest strengths of
spectacularly successful executives and
entrepreneurs.

9. Resent Other People’s Success. It
takes strength of character to feel
genuine joy and excitement for other
people’s success. Mentally strong people
have this ability. They don’t become
jealous or resentful when others
succeed (although they may take close
notes on what the individual did well).
They are willing to work hard for their
own chances at success, without relying
on shortcuts.

10. Give Up After Failure. Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest entrepreneurs are willing to
admit that their early efforts invariably
brought many failures. Mentally strong
people are willing to fail again and
again, if necessary, as long as the
learning experience from every “failure”
can bring them closer to their ultimate
goals.

11. Fear Alone Time. Mentally strong
people enjoy and even treasure the time
they spend alone. They use their
downtime to reflect, to plan, and to be
productive. Most importantly, they don’t
depend on others to shore up their
happiness and moods. They can be
happy with others, and they can also be
happy alone.

12. Feel the World Owes Them
Anything. Particularly in the current
economy, executives and employees at
every level are gaining the realization
that the world does not owe them a
salary, a benefits package and a
comfortable life, regardless of their
preparation and schooling. Mentally
strong people enter the world prepared
to work and succeed on their merits, at
every stage of the game.

13. Expect Immediate Results.
Whether it’s a workout plan, a
nutritional regimen, or starting a
business, mentally strong people are “in
it for the long haul”. They know better
than to expect immediate results. They
apply their energy and time in measured
doses and they celebrate each milestone
and increment of success on the way.
They have “staying power.” And they
understand that genuine changes take
time. Do you have mental strength? Are
there elements on this list you need
more of?

Team mentally strong.
However my weakness is number 8. One particular mistake I make over and over again is trusting people. Wish I could learn not to trust easily. It has really done me great harm

Number 11 is my favourite. Sometimes, I'm begged to go out.

NnamdiN: Team mentally strong.
However my weakness is number 8. One particular mistake I make over and over again is trusting people. Wish I could learn not to trust easily. It has really done me great harm.

There's always room for improvements

Ingenious

*Taking notes*

shorxynla:

There's always room for improvements

sure. Working on it