We hear a lot about “overnight success.” However, the truth is that most success is slower in coming. If you’re an entrepreneur, you need to realize that you won’t just wake up one day and be successful. Some days are going to be a long slog. And if you don’t stick with it, you might not succeed. Developing mental toughness is key.
So, how do you develop mental toughness? Here are three steps that can help you become tougher mentally — and more likely to succeed as an entrepreneur:
1. Know Who You Are
Most success in life stems from knowing who you are. Being able to take a look at where you stand is a big first step toward developing mental toughness.
Consider your strengths and weaknesses. But it’s also important to know your values. What matters most to you? How does that play into your strengths and weaknesses? What do you know about yourself as a result of understanding what matters?
Really get in there and understand who you are, what you value, and why you’re where you’re at.
Once you know that, you can look forward. How can you change some of the things you wish were different about yourself? Can you build resilience as a result of some of the things you’ve learned?
Mental toughness doesn’t always come from your strengths or the good times. Instead, it’s about building your resilience after acknowledging failures.
Be honest with yourself about who you are, who you want to be, and what you need to do to get there. When you are grounded in your identity and values, you’re more likely to develop mental toughness for the long haul.
2. Look for Small Wins
Just like everything else, you can’t expect to win big all the time. And trying to maintain some of your lofty goals immediately isn’t sustainable.
When I first started exercising, I started with five minutes in the morning. Slowly, I built up. Each week, I added one more minute of morning exercise. The same principle can work in other areas of your life as you’re developing mental toughness. Choose to ask a question, even if it would be easier to let something slide. Read one more page of a self-improvement book, even though you’d like to quit reading.
You can also develop small wins with mental toughness by doing things like saying no to an unhealthy snack when you normally say yes, or choosing to listen to someone with a different viewpoint without interrupting.
These small actions can help you build mental toughness in a way that helps you steel yourself to move forward, show grit, and ultimately find success in your business.
3. Develop Better Habits
Your habits can help you maintain your mental toughness no matter what comes next. Motivation can dry up. Habits can keep you going when you’re ready to quit. Good habits, like your morning routine, can keep you on track.
Good sleep, healthy eating, and other items can help you retain your resiliency when things get tough. Being an entrepreneur sometimes means slogging through when you don’t want to. It also means that you have to push yourself to keep going or deal with hard times.
Developing mental toughness can help you get through these times and come out on top. With the right habits, and when you practice, you can build grit for long-term success.
