What Am I About?

My ingredients are composed of; intrinsic motivation, positive thinking, visualization, getting uncomfortable, talking to myself, preparation, meditation.  I am "mental toughness."  We all know what mental toughness is and whether we have it or not.  Some take it as I want balls; I would rather call it having "guts" and "the will."  Mental toughness is the ability to maintain the focus and determination to complete a course of action despite difficulty or consequences-- to never quit.

To never quit.  To believe, if I bust my butt even when the probability of success seems uncertain; I can achieve it.  Understanding that bad things happen in life to everyone; sickness, career loss, divorce, death of loved ones.  Realizing the utter importance of regathering energies to be ready for opportunities that lies ahead; to never quit.

Positive thinking.  Everyday, upon awakening, paying attention to the dialogue going on in the mind.  These thoughts are a mixture of outside stimuli and my own beliefs about myself.  Being successful is focus on positive thoughts and using those positive thoughts to squash the negative ones.  Negative thoughts will always sneak in; recognize them and crush them.  Talking to myself and being my own coach.  Telling myself in second person statements, "You are going to give this everthing you have."

Visualization.  Before even beginning a workout, the workout should be mentally DONE.  Imagining the steps of getting into position and the way my body will look performing the movements.  Thinking about how great I will feel afterwards about the accomplishment of my body.  Being DONE in the mind means just repeating it with the body.

Getting uncomfortable.  Performing the similar routine all the time will not bring about progress.  There is working out and then there is "training".  Training is when you have a progressive plan with measurable goals and continual challenges.  Working out is anything that makes you sweaty and tired but not necessarily better or stronger because it lacks consistency, direction and specificity.  Challenging stimulus  gives greater ability to handle stress of all kinds.  Just as progression is an important part of training, applying challenging stimulus to life will teach problem-solving skills and critical thinking.  Both of which can help tough out any number of situations. 

Meditation.  Various forms of meditation have been used for thousands of years for many purposes, such as; sport preparation, stress reduction, enhanced mental clarity and relaxation.  Meditation can work short and simple without lighting candles and getting into a cross-legged sitting position.  Focus on clearing the mind wherever and whenever it is necessary; lying on the bed before going to sleep, during aerobic activity (running, etc.), driving, or even standing in the grocery line.  The ways to meditate can be different for each person so no need to wonder if it is being done correctly.  A simple technique of choosing one word that when repeatedly spoken or slowly spelled to myself or out loud works to straighten my head and bring me peace.

Preparation.  Being prepared for everything means being ready for anything.  Knowing at the beginning of the day what I am going to wear, eat and focus on thinking about this day.  Of course, I will not be prepared for every eventuality; but, I can try to be.  Anticipate problems that could arise and have a solution in mind. 

Mental Toughness is "Holding that Squat and Smiling."

In strength,

Dangerous Donna