The mental strength test

The pressures of modern life have created the need for almost all of us to have great mental strength. Using information from Amy Morin, a licensed clinical social worker on Forbes.com, we have devised a quick test you can take to see just how mentally strong you are! Here, is the mental strength test.

Do you…

1.       Ever waste time feeling sorry for yourself? Do you spend today reeling over a bad decision you made yesterday and feeling like you should be a better person?

2.       Allow others to criticise you or make you feel inferior? Do you make it clear that you’re not sure or confident with your ideas or answers? Or do you just throw them out there and explain your reasons?

3.       Shy away from change? Would you rather stay the same or break out and decide on doing something new?

4.       Worry about things that are out of your control? So you’re stuck in traffic – what can you realistically do about it? Is it really your fault?

5.       Worry about having to please people all the time? Would you only make a decision if absolutely everyone agreed with it?

6.       Fear taking risks? Are your risks calculated over a long period of time or do you just do it?

7.       Dwell on the past? 10 years ago you said no to a training event that a colleague used to get a promotion. Does your blood still boil at the thought?

8.       Repeat mistakes? Are you a repeat offender of doing something you swore never to do again?

9.       Resent other people’s success? That promoted colleague – do you still think that it should have been you? Or have you simply figured out a new plan for promotion?

10.   Fear spending time alone? Does alone time scare you? Or do you see it as a great time to reflect, relax and plan?

11.   Have a chip on your shoulder? Does the world owe you a favour or will you go out and grab that favour yourself?

12.   Expect immediate results? Are you only interested in reaping the immediate rewards or are you sure that greater rewards will come with time?

13.   Give up too quickly? Would you agree with the statement, ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again’?

If you do more of these than not, then you are not as mentally strong as you could be.

The point that Amy Morin conveyed was that mentally strong people do NOT do any of the above and to create mental strength you should make a point of adapting any of the above points that you currently lack in. Most of them are easy and just require conviction in your own ability. But some may be harder than others and can really change your outlook on life and other people.

The best managers and team leaders have mental strength: the mental strength to believe in their decisions, drive change, and also, to be wrong. If your managers need to strengthen their mind, then share this round your organisation!

To see the full article on Forbes.com, click here.