You’ve probably heard the expression, “In life, it’s not what happens to you that matters, it’s how you respond.”

Many of our greatest heroes understood and lived those words. For instance, Nelson Mandela, who didn’t allow years of being jailed to stand in the way of being forgiving, or becoming President of the nation that imprisoned him, said “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

President Woodrow Wilson once said that, “The difference between a strong man and a weak one is that the former does not give up after a defeat.”

Because falling down and failing are inevitable, determination and resilience are, by necessity, at the heart of success.

In her book, “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” Amy Morin says what sets the mentally resilient apart are core beliefs that help them cope with challenges, thrive in the face of conflict and bounce back from criticism.

Amy says, you’re mentally strong if:

  • You take action based on your core values – the fundamental belief system that helps you define right from wrong.
  • You understand your emotions and how they impact the way you think and behave. This is an important component of emotional intelligence.
  • You acknowledge you don’t have all the answers. The world around us is changing so rapidly that success doesn’t depend on knowing all the answers up front. It’s the willingness and ability to find the answers when you need them.
  • You take a practical, realistic, look at the upsides and downsides of situations, without over valuing or devaluing either side.
  • You practice contentment and use your talents and potential fully.

For a link to Morin’s list of what mentally strong people DON’T do, click here.