How long can you work at your desk before your brain starts to get fuzzy? How long before you can’t really concentrate and you wouldn’t take on a challenging task that was heavily spatial or mathematical? I cite those two genres because I didn’t get “the gift” of either aptitude. I do want to get mental strength.
In the past couple of years, I’ve gotten in the best physical shape of my life. In fact, because brain fuzz was taking over after seven hours without a break today, I went to the gym and—poof!—my concentration is going full-tilt again.
I also find that if I’m going through a stressful time, whether minor or major, my brain resources fade more quickly, as research shows. If something continues to dog me, drain me, it actually feels like mini-PTSD, and it takes days, weeks or even months to replace that brain energy.
Now read this
This Forbes post caught my attention, while I still had plenty, and got me thinking about mental strength. I think it’s fabulous, just jam-packed with real tips we can use so our mental energy doesn’t snooze and we lose. Here’s my personal take on the story’s 13 points so we can all get mental strength.
The author warns us not to feel sorry for ourselves. It’s a huge time-waster, so just move on, positively. We control how we respond to people, i.e., they can only make us feel bad if we allow it. We’ve got the power! The same is true about boo-hooing about things we can’t control—stuff happens to all of us, every day. Some is irritating, some is terrible—we determine how it affects us. Everybody has stuff happen because we’re “only human.”
The change thing is tough. It makes us insecure, but also prevents us from being bored or complacent and “change is inevitable” so learn to love it. I am doing that slowly—or trying. It’s ok not to “please everyone all the time,” because we can’t. About taking risks: I have taken some that turned out very badly, and I’m sorry because I’ve paid a price. I’ve taken others that benefited me. I want to spend more time assessing the options next time I’m presented with a risk, knowing that intuition also play a part here.
Mind your mind
Focusing on the past is so yesterday. When I have thoughts about stuff I’ve done that I’m not proud of, I know I’ve learned a lesson. I can move on now. I am guilty of doing some things repeatedly—even though they’re not working. It’s so easy to fall into a pattern, isn’t it?
I am happy when others do well, and I appreciate the same kudos from them. I’m fine with being alone, although I’ve spent much of my life that way. I’m extremely productive alone in my work and fitness. I don’t expect the world, or anyone, owes me a dime, although it would be nice. Finally, I’ve never counted on immediate anything—gratification or results. Lottery wins are few and far between, but I hope and pray that hard work, talent, determination and mental strength (!) might go far to help me achieve my goals. I don’t want to leave this earth without getting those things done.
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