Characteristics That Mentally Tough People Have

If you want to be physically strong, you go to the gym, lift weights, play sports, or go for a run. You work hard and put in the effort. The same holds true if you want to be mentally strong—only instead of working out at the gym, you exercise your mind.

There are small steps you can take every day to make sure that your brain is performing at top speed. Keep reading to find out what characteristics you need to develop to be a mentally tough person.

You Can Balance Your Logical Side And Your Emotional Side

German-Japanese concert pianist Alice Sara Ott (hands detail) demonstrates using her Rubik's Cube
Photo by Amy T. Zielinski/Redferns via Getty Images
Photo by Amy T. Zielinski/Redferns via Getty Images

Balance really is the key to living a full and successful life. If you deny your emotional side, your personal relationships will suffer, and if you deny your logical side, your professional relationships will suffer.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Have Good Time Management Skills

ADVERTISEMENT
In a calendar on April 1st
Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images
Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Everybody wants to do it all, but doing it all isn't easy. Do whatever it takes to make sure you have enough time in your day for everything you want to accomplish. Make a schedule, set reminders on your phone, and stick to your plans.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Can Adapt Well To Change

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Lower Saxony, Edemissen: Dark clouds move over wind turbines
Photo by Moritz Frankenberg/picture alliance via Getty Images
Photo by Moritz Frankenberg/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Change is inevitable, so it makes sense that the most successful people are the people who can adapt in the face of ever-changing circumstances. Change is hard, but the faster you learn to accept it, the better.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Face Your Fears

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
kydivers are seen during the 2020 Marsh Community Series match between the Collingwood Magpies
Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Whether you're afraid of heights, public speaking, or clowns, the best thing you can do for your mental well-being is to face your fears head-on. It never pays to live in fear.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Learn From Your Mistakes

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
A detail view of a dry erase board
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

People aren't perfect. We make mistakes. The worst mistake you could possibly make is not learning from your mistakes. Turn your missteps into opportunities for growth. Learn from the past in order to move forward.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Separate Your Identity From Your Ideal Self

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
An Aceh woman applies make up on her friend's face during the training
Photo by Mimi Saputra/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Mimi Saputra/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

There's a difference between who you are now and who you want to be. Sure, we'd all like to be perfect versions of ourselves, but the best way to get close to that ideal is to recognize our own flaws.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Are Excited About The Success Of Others

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Gold medalists Auguste Aulnette, 2nd L, of France and Mikkel Remsoey, C, of Norway, bronze medalist Adam Hofstedt, 2nd R, of Sweden pose on the podium
Photo by Wu Huiwo/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo via Getty Images
Photo by Wu Huiwo/Xinhua via Getty) (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Jealous people never win. Genuinely celebrate the successes of others, because a rising tide lifts all ships. There is enough success to go around. Somebody else's victories don't detract from you or your efforts in any way.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Stay True To Your Values

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Women holding a placard during the march
Photo by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Whatever your values are, it's important to stay true to them. Don't compromise on who you are and what you believe to be important to impress anybody. Only you know what is acceptable for you.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Value Yourself

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
psychologist Deborah Kelemen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Director, Developmental Science Program and Child Cognition Lab, at Boston University Department of Psychology
Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images
Photo by Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Self-esteem and self-confidence are essential. Place value on yourself as a person, not just on what you have managed to achieve. You are more than your accomplishments and your milestones.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Are Patient

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
 A dog waiting for five days in the garden of a hospital
Photo by Selim Bostanci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Photo by Selim Bostanci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Good things come to those who wait, and everything good in life is worth waiting for. Being mentally strong means that you know that success often comes after a long wait.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Take Responsibility For Your Actions

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
thinking man
Photo by Peter Steffen/picture alliance via Getty Images
Photo by Peter Steffen/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

You don't make excuses or try to pass the blame onto somebody else. You know when you mess up, and you work hard to correct your mistakes. You are self-aware and responsible.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Turn Challenges Into Opportunities

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
joggers
Photo by Robin Utrecht/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Robin Utrecht/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

When faced with a challenge, you don't shrink away or become overwhelmed. You develop a plan to attack the challenge and use it to personally level-up. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Are Thankful

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Drake accepts the award for Top Artist
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Successful and mentally strong people know that they have so many people and opportunities to be thankful for. They never take anything or anybody for granted. You recognize what you have, and you don't complain about what you don't have.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Stick To Your Strengths

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
strong guy
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

You focus on what you know best and advise others when asked. You know where your strengths lie, and you use your strength to your advantage. You don't waste your resources on something you don't know anything about.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Know How To Pick Yourself Up

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
park meditating
Photo by Barry Lewis/InPictures via Getty Images
Photo by Barry Lewis/InPictures via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

When you are having a down day (or a down week), you know exactly what to do to pick yourself back up again—whether that's taking a long walk, making yourself a healthy snack, or taking a meditation break.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Know What Motivates You

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
horse race
Photo by Leonie Grbic/Racing Photos via Getty Images
Photo by Leonie Grbic/Racing Photos via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

You are keenly aware of your motivations and what drives you to succeed, whether that's a desire to be recognized for your achievements or a desire to be helpful and helped in return.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Ask For Help When You Need It

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
helping hand
Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

You aren't afraid to reach out for help or support when necessary. We all need a shoulder to lean on or expert advice every now and then. Needing help isn't a sign of weakness.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Lead By Example

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Kirsten Böning, helicopter pilot
Photo by Sina Schuldt/picture alliance via Getty Images
Photo by Sina Schuldt/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

You know that the best way to lead any team or group is to be an example of strength and resilience. You show people, rather than tell them, what's expected of them.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Focus On The Positive While Remaining Realistic

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
flower field
Photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images
Photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Many mentally strong people are optimistic, but blind optimism can get you in trouble. It's a good practice to hope for the best while preparing for the worst. Have a plan, but stay positive.

ADVERTISEMENT

You Readily Give Compliments

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ictor Moses of FC Internazionale gestures during warm up prior to the Serie A football match
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT

Don't be stingy with your compliments. They are absolutely free! Everyone loves to hear what you genuinely appreciate about them, whether it's their fashion choices, their resilience, or their kindness.