I posted about a simple start to becoming mentally tough yesterday. I actually had a decent response to the idea. I said, "bring back double session practices". Yes sir...bring back the old two-a-days and try to make one of the sessions...OUTSIDE!

Whatever goal it is that you want to achieve, it will take mental toughness to do all of the following:

  • Take action on a regular basis;
  • Overcome failure, obstacles, and setbacks;
  • Ignore your critics; and
  • Stay motivated, even when things get tough.

Action Steps to take in order to get yourself "MENTALLY Tough"

Action Step 1

Ask yourself the following:

“What’s at stake?”

The more that’s at stake, the more likely you are to persevere.

For example, let’s say that your goal is to run a 10K. Suppose that you gave your friend $20 and told him/her not to give it back to you unless you completed a 10K.

It’s very likely that you’ll quit before achieving your goal.

Why? Because training to run a 10K takes a lot of hard work, and $25 is a bullshit commitment.

But what if you tell yourself that what’s at stake is the following:

  • Training to run a 10K, I’ll lose weight. I’ll be healthier, and I’ll look better.
  • When I succeed in running a 10K, I’ll be setting a great example for my kids.
  • Developing the self-discipline necessary to run a 10K will help me to achieve my other goals.

Now that’s there’s more at stake, it’s a lot more likely that you’ll persevere.

Of course, most people won’t want to go that far. However, you could tell yourself things like the following:

  • If I don’t run the 10K, I’ll be overweight and unhealthy for the rest of my life, my kids will never respect me again and, I’ll never have the discipline to achieve any of my other life goals.

It may seem a bit drastic, but by tricking your mind into believing that there’s a lot at stake you’re more likely to persevere until you achieve your goal.

I'll let you in on Step 2 tomorrow...but be ready for the unexpected.

Today's Training:

AirDyne: 30 mins.

Dynamic Squat: 10x2

Dynamic Deadlift: 15x1

GHR: 3x10

Reverse Hyper: 3x10

Ab Wheel: 3x15