1. Change your language from “difficulties” to “opportunities.” Every time you discuss obstacles to your success, you are focusing your energy on a problem. When you change your language to focusing on opportunities, you have changed the focus to the solution. Practice the switch in language, even in small moments, so that you will be ready to use it in more stressful and frantic moments.
2. Avoid gossip. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” It’s easy to get caught up in small talk and gossip. The more you focus on other people however, the less you are focused on yourself and your goals. Put a stop to gossip. Walk away, change the subject, redirect the conversation, find any way to take your focus off what other people are doing and focus instead on what you are doing.
3. Create consistent habits. Write down a daily schedule and stick to it. The more consistent you become, the easier it is to push through on days where you don’t feel motivated.
4. Adopt a “yes sir, yes ma’am” approach. Do not accept excuses from yourself and do not give your excuses to anyone else. Take responsibility for your actions and when you feel like making an excuse, take a deep breath and simply respond with a yes or no without adding the excuse.
5. Actively train your brain. Get your free Academic Mindset session. Read books that promote mental toughness. Look at quotes and stories from mentally tough people. Find positive examples, follow them, and become as mentally strong as them (or even stronger)!