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MENTAL TOUGHNESS!!!
By: Chike G. Onyia, Esq.
Just this morning, while I was meditating, I started thinking about the FUTILITY of WORRY and the wasted energy that flows therefrom! In my spirit, through the grace of God, I knew that I had the secret ANTIDOTES to worry. Hence, I decided to share my knowledge publicly in a bid to help and encourage someone out there!!
It goes without saying that during this pandemic, mental toughness is the #1 skill we ALL need. Specifically, we need to develop the skills of ADAPTABILITY and RESILIENCE!!!! Think about some of the things people are going through now. Almost everyday, we hear of companies laying off their staff, people getting pay cuts, businesses struggling to stay afloat and families trying to make ends meet!! What’s more, many students have been home and plagued with the UNCERTAINTIES brought about by COVID19!!! Many of them
are discouraged and demotivated. There is no doubt that these are very TRYING times for all of us!!!
To deal with this, it is CRITICAL for you and I to be mentally TOUGH!! Mental toughness begins with having the right attitude and then, following up with the right actions. Here are some points to consider:
1. EMOTIONS: you and I will feel different emotions during this period. Do NOT fight those emotions!!! You are human. Acknowledge them but do not stay there!!! Here is what I mean – do not let your emotions rob you of your ability to intelligently deal with the current situation. Emotional intelligence plays a key role here!!
2. Make a DECISION not to worry: sounds CRAZY given the current happenings. However, do you know that you have the CAPACITY to say NO to worry! Let me give you just two things amongst others you can do: instead of worrying, (1) PRAY to God for strength and (2) distract yourself. Turn on a movie, read a book or go for a walk. Bottom line – your worry will NOT solve the problem. It is FUTILE!!! Resilience is about looking worry in its face and asking it to GO to “hell!”
3. Cultivate a HIGH capacity for UNCERTAINTY & PRESSURE: no matter what – you and I must intentionally say to ourselves – “until I take my last breath, I will NEVER give up” – even if it takes a HUNDRED years!!! Bottom line – we must learn to be adaptable and flexible! We must try new ways of doing things and develop a high threshold for uncertainty! In other words, we must become COMFORTABLE with the uncertainty by finding INNOVATIVE ways of dealing with our current realities.
4. CONFRONT the FACTS: no matter how difficult the situation may be – DEAL with it. Relentlessly seek SOLUTIONS or if need be, find alternatives or IMPROVISE using “air!” Yep!! You can use the air we breathe, if necessary. Also, you may need to (i) do some research to educate yourself about the problem; (ii) talk to someone; (iii) talk to an expert for advice (iv) seek help, etc. Believe ME, there is always a WAY OUT!!!! As long as you are ALIVE, there is HOPE!!
5. Be PATIENT and ENDURE: sometimes, even when you have done all you can, there may be NO answers in view. Not to worry, just remain “STANDING.” For me personally, even if the answer is not in view, I remain patient and RESOLUTE!!!
Listen to me!! Covid or no Covid, we MUST win!!!!
