7 Effective Ways to Build Your Mental Toughness

Mental toughness can transform how you handle life’s challenges—whether they’re

mental, physical, emotional, or obstacles standing between you and your goals.

Wouldn’t it be great to make your life easier with a bit of mental resilience?

Fortunately, mental toughness isn’t something you’re either born with or without.

It’s a skill you can build step by step, starting from wherever you are today.

Try these strategies to cultivate a level of mental toughness that will set you apart:

1. Meditate

Meditation might look peaceful, but there’s a lot happening below the surface.

Meditation can be physically and mentally uncomfortable. Sitting still for an

extended time is harder than it seems, and a quiet mind is something we’re

not used to. By practising meditation, you also build resilience and

discipline—key components of mental toughness.

2. Embrace Physical Discomfort

Cold showers, a hot day, a gruelling workout, or staying awake a little longer

when you’re tired—these are all examples of physical discomfort. Challenge

yourself with uncomfortable situations and see how long you can stick with it.

Just remember, avoid anything that might harm you. Extreme discomfort isn’t

necessary. Mild discomfort over a longer period is often equally challenging.

3. Challenge Yourself with Emotional Discomfort

Boredom, anxiety, and other forms of discomfort can be valuable training

grounds. Challenge yourself daily—introduce yourself to strangers, sit quietly

for five minutes, or tackle a task you dread.

4. Finish What You Start

Most of us want to quit when things get uncomfortable. We rationalise

skipping the last lap, leaving some dishes to soak, or calling it a day when

we’re nearly done. Quitting is usually a response to discomfort. Developing

the habit of finishing what you start not only builds toughness but contributes

to your success in other areas.

5. Focus on What You Can Control

Mental toughness means channelling your energy where it can actually make

a difference. Choose to direct your thoughts, energy, and effort into things you

have power over, and let go of everything else.

6. Avoid Complaining

Complaining is often a sign of frustration, and it rarely solves the problem.

Mentally tough people don’t complain because they focus on solutions instead

of frustrations. This doesn’t mean you should tolerate what you dislike. If you

can change something, take action. If not, practise not complaining about it.

7. Use Affirmations

Positive affirmations can reprogram your mindset. Search for affirmations that

focus on resilience and strength, or create your own, and reinforce them daily.

Whenever your inner dialogue begins to falter, turn to your affirmations. Make

this part of your routine—affirmations can make a noticeable difference over

time.

How mentally tough are you? Here’s the good news: it doesn’t matter. Whether

you’re already resilient or feel you have a long way to go, you can get tougher everyday.

To get started try the 5-day Goal Setting Mastery, embark on a transformative journey giving you the tools and systems you need to accomplish anything you WANT! Join the challenge here.

You don’t need to join the marines or live off the grid; simply commit to daily

habits that grow your toughness and watch your resilience build over time.