Why mental strength is important to be successful
ALL IN THE MIND You cannot overcome difficult situations at work if you’re not mentally strong
The workplace environment has a significant impact on an individual’s mental well-being. While it may be difficult to quantify this, considering that an individual spends a substantial part of the day at work, the work environment can either help or be detrimental to one’s mental health.
In today’s competitive world, it is important to be psychologically strong so that difficult situations at work are dealt with determination to get through them. If you’re not strong mentally, it can come in the way and toss you everywhere you don’t want to be.
Here’s why your mental health should matter to you.
To overcome self doubt: It is natural for feelings of selfdoubt to come in when one has a task to accomplish.However, when it becomes a regular feature, it is warning enough that you need to go a little easy on yourself. If you are mentally strong, your self confidence can help you sail through.
To re-educate yourself: In this day and age when there’s a new discovery, new technology and new algorithms seeing the light of day, it is important to catch up. You can do so only when you understand that the process of growing/evolving involves learning, unlearning and re-learning. If you are mentally strong, you become more open to accepting change and to experiment.
To manage your emotions well: In your professional journey you will experience highs and lows but if you are not mentally strong, you will not be able to overcome them with ease. A strong person is able to recognise that failures are temporary and is open to starting from scratch. They don’t think about ‘what I should have done right,’ instead they try again and even if they fall, they muster up the courage to keep going.
To accept where you went wrong: Everyone makes mistakes. Refusing to accept mistakes or making countless excuses as to why things went wrong or putting the blame on your colleagues is not the right thing to do. Always remember that you learn from your mistakes.
To take up challenges: There are very few people who would want to leave their comfort zone and take up challenges. But it is your mental strength that gives you the courage to face the fear of the unknown. If you are strong, you can confidently deal with discomfort.
To become a better judge: Throughout your career, you will have people around you to guide you or you will be surrounded by well-wishers who want to advice you in situations good or bad. If you’re aware of what you want and are focused (thanks to your mental health), you will listen to everyone, but do only what you think is best for you.You will also learn to deal with criticism, whether positive or negative. Just remember that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Do not stop unless you must. Obstacles are inevitable, but you should be resilient enough and not let setbacks affect your confidence.
The author is head of project management, Work Better