Hey everyone, and welcome to TopThink. Today,
we are going to learn about 7 subtle habits that make you mentally strong.
Now, let’s begin. 1. Chase Imperfection
Are you a perfectionist? The world is full of people chasing perfection. Some
people cannot rest until they’ve solved every tiny, insignificant problem. Other people run
away from great opportunities because they’re afraid they won’t fly as high as they expect.
We all want to find perfection. A perfect career. A perfect relationship. But no matter how hard
we look, perfection is and will always be a myth. If you want to find mental strength, stop chasing
perfection. Give up on finding a job or a partner that checks every single one of your boxes.
I’m not telling you to settle for less than you deserve. But searching for someone or
something that has zero flaws… is a waste of your time and energy.
Instead of chasing perfection, focus on growth. Don’t search for a job that’s perfect. Search for
a job that makes you a better person. You may not like every second of it. Some days, you may wish
you were doing something else. But that’s okay. Because there will always be more opportunities.
You can always add or subtract things from your life to satisfy different passions and goals.
Nothing will be perfect. No one will be flawless. But as long as you’re growing… your life is moving
in the right direction. 2. Build Character
How do you define yourself? Many people define themselves by their hobbies or professions.
We try to condense our identities into small, concrete shapes. We’re scientists, artists,
or accountants. We’re athletes, comedians, or dancers. But no one word encapsulates who you are.
You have passions, habits, and interests stemming from thousands of memories and experiences.
In other words, you are infinitely more complicated than any one word or phrase.
Instead of limiting your sense of self, get to know the ins and outs of your complicated
personality. Try new things and pay close attention to the way you feel. Be open but
decisive. And don’t be afraid to contradict yourself. Because whether we like it or not,
our identities rarely make sense. Mentally strong people aren’t afraid
to expand their sense of self. They’re always open to new perspectives and ideas,
but they also have a clear sense of what they like and what they believe. They have
confidence in their opinions and their tastes while exposing themselves to unique experiences.
If you want to become mentally strong, embrace the complexity of your identity. Let your sense
of self stretch far and wide because no one is only one thing. No one is a character or a
stereotype. You have as much insight and depth as anyone in the world. But you have to look for it.
3. Open Your Ears Do you talk more than you listen?
Mentally strong people are interested and invested in the opinions of others. They’re
receptive to contrasting perspectives because they don’t need to reinforce their own ideas.
In other words, mentally strong people don’t ramble about the same, narrow-minded concepts.
They don’t give people advice they didn’t ask for. They don’t force their opinions on others,
and they don’t tell anyone that they’re wrong. When you interact with other people,
you don’t need to prove yourself right. You don’t need to educate the people you meet.
Instead, mentally strong people listen to what other people have to offer. They open
their minds and their ears to perspectives that differ from their own, creating a more dynamic
understanding of how the world works. If you talk more than you listen,
it’s time to change your habits. Practice actively listening to people you meet. Ask good questions.
Embrace their points of view and try to understand why they believe what they believe.
Once you start listening—and I mean really listening—you might discover something strange.
Your opinions begin changing, and your sense of self… gets that much stronger.
4. Seek Challenges Are you motivated to achieve goals,
solve problems, and discover passions? Or do you avoid challenging experiences? Mentally strong
people are always searching for new challenges. They are drawn to experiences that foster growth
and self-improvement. In other words, they aren’t interested in resting on their laurels.
When something becomes easy or comfortable, they search for new ways to learn and expand.
But this is a rare quality. Most people hide behind easy and comfortable parts
of their lives. Maybe you have an easy job that pays a stable salary. Maybe you have
enough friends to occupy your social life and enough freedom to engage with your hobbies.
You’re stable and comfortable, so you stop pushing. You stop searching for challenges,
and you become afraid of change—afraid your comfortable life is going to fade away.
When that happens, you stop taking risks. For example, if you change careers, there’s
no guarantee you’ll find the same stability you have now. But there is a chance you find something
more meaningful, like success or satisfaction. So, how do you encourage yourself to take risks
and seek new challenges? Every week, break out of your comfort zone at least once. Do something
you’ve never done before. Go somewhere you’ve never been or talk to someone you don’t know.
Every time you leave your comfort zone, you’re empowering your ability to change.
You’re proving to yourself that the world outside your bubble is not a threat to your happiness.
To build mental strength, don’t be afraid of change. Don’t cling to a job, a friendship,
or even a restaurant just because it’s familiar. Mentally strong people build their strength by
accepting new challenges. They welcome change into their lives because every change is a
new opportunity to grow. 5. Courageous Decisions
Do you have control over your life? You may take a passive role in your life. You may surrender
responsibility for your choices. Whatever the reasons, you feel powerless and out of control.
If you want to be mentally strong, you need to be in-control of your life. That means empowering
personal decisions, building self-esteem, and finding the courage to take risks.
But these are big hurdles, which take years of practice.
So, what small, subtle habits can nudge you in the right direction?
Every time you make a choice, remind yourself of one thing: you made this choice all on your own.
Whether it’s a good choice or a bad one, always take credit for your life. Don’t blame outside
circumstances. Don’t ascribe your success or your failures to the actions of others.
Take responsibility for each change, each mistake, and each opportunity for growth.
This simple habit fosters a stronger sense of identity. Even if you do something wrong,
taking responsibility strengthens your relationship with yourself. You’ll get a better
understanding of your weaknesses while cultivating a greater sense of control in your life.
Ultimately, you have the power to make any decision you want.
You can accept opportunities and embark into the unknown. You have the power to change your
life and pursue your dreams. But you’ll never develop that power unless you take responsibility
for your thoughts and actions. If you can do that, you’re already mentally stronger than most.
6. Honest Vulnerability Do you pay attention to your wants,
needs, and feelings? Self-care is a critical aspect of mental strength. People with a strong
sense of who they are pay close attention to the way they feel, both physically and emotionally.
If you want to build mental strength, self-care should be a daily priority. Create an easy and
accessible habit that allows you to check in with yourself. Every day, ask yourself deep,
personal questions and talk through difficult problems. You can write in a journal or quietly
get lost in your thoughts. Whatever medium you choose, there’s one essential thing to
keep in mind. No matter what you’re writing or thinking, you must be honest with yourself.
Honesty lies at the core of self-care. If you’re unwilling or unable to admit the truth
to yourself, you won’t be able to improve or find the happiness you’re looking for.
Lying to yourself creates shame and guilt, both of which drive you toward unhealthy habits.
To find mental strength, be honest as often as you can. Don’t hide your insecurities.
Don’t be ashamed of your weaknesses. Because your weaknesses are a part of who you are.
The more you hide your flaws, the harder it becomes to feel comfortable in your own skin.
So, expose your weaknesses, be honest, and above all… take care of yourself.
7. Professional Humility How do you handle feedback?
Let’s say you’re working on a project. What motivates you to create the best possible
product? Are you chasing long-term goals, like excellence or prestige? Or are you looking for
short-term rewards, like compliments or praise? Unfortunately, many people are searching for the
latter. They want someone to admire or praise their work, so what happens when someone gives
them constructive criticism? Nine times out of ten, they get defensive. They try to justify
their mistakes. They lash out at others, and they ignore any mistakes they may have made.
People react this way when they’re not receptive to feedback. They aren’t interested in bettering
themselves, so they get defensive when others criticize their work.
If you want to build mental strength, you need to be receptive to alternate perspectives.
You have enough confidence in yourself and your work to hear people’s honest opinions.
Otherwise, you will miss hundreds of opportunities to improve as a worker and a person.
If you would rather be praised, you may not be ready to build mental strength. But if you can
set aside your ego and listen to what others have to say, you can become a stronger person.
All it takes… is a little humility. Thank you for watching TopThink,
and be sure to subscribe, because more incredible content is on the way.