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Mental Toughness

The 69 Characteristics Of Mentally Tough Individuals

Bill Cole, MS, MA
The Mental Game Coach™
Silicon Valley, California

What does it mean to be mentally tough? Why do top achievers and performers revere it? Does mental toughness imply being insensitive, uncaring and rude? Does it mean being cold, selfish, unethical and overly aggressive? Not at all. An individual with mental toughness can be quite well mannered, ethical, friendly, helpful, affable and warm. The quality of mental toughness means that an individual has the ability to master the naturally unmanageable desires of the body and mind and bring them under a discipline to achieve and sustain demanding goals and performance under pressure.

Mental toughness is something championship athletes possess. Any military person should have plenty of it. Police and fire personnel personify it. Disciplined musicians, theater actors and public speakers have it. Sales people and leaders display it every day.

This article describes these 69 characteristics of mental toughness. Use it to discuss the nuances and seeming paradoxes of this highly desirable quality.

1. Self-discipline
2. Makes a commitment
3. Displays self-sacrifice
4. Loves the battle
5. Loves pressure
6. Loves competition
7. Handles mind games
8. Does not sabotage self
9. Has mature emotional control
10. Can perform injured
11. Does not beat self
12. Knows how to win
13. High self-esteem
14. High self confidence
15. Controls slumps
16. Controls burnout
17. Loves the game
18. Ability to handle pain and discomfort
19. More than adequate physical fitness
20. Has endurance and persistence
21. Bounces back from adversity
22. Uses challenges to grow
23. Realistic viewpoints and judgments
24. Uses reality checks
25. Take-charge mind set
26. Thinks like a winner
27. Takes calculated and bold risks
28. Controls what they can and lets the rest go
29. Assertive and aggressive
30. Killer instinct
31. Will to prepare to win
32. Will to win
33. Loves to win
34. Hates to lose
35. Self-motivated
36. Self-aware
37. Makes own luck
38. Raises game when needed
39. Gives 110%, but doesn't try too hard
40. Leaves no regrets after a contest
41. Has mental discipline
42. Sees difficulties as challenges
43. Accepts the stress and pain of competition
44. Handles the paradox of success
45. Pushes self when necessary
46. Overcomes or pushes past fears
47. Has high standards
48. Loves hard work
49. Learns well from mistakes
50. Handles losing emotionally
51. Recovers quickly from mistakes
52. Learns from mistakes and losses
53. Adjusts tactics and performance mid-stride
54. Paces self, knows how to recover
55. Not sensitive to criticism and coaching
56. Unwavering concentration
57. Maintains focus

58. High achiever, not a perfectionist
59. Fair sportsmanship
60. Competes fully-no tanking
61. Controls momentum
62. Shows excellent personal image to opponent
63. Influences key players
64. Visualizes success
65. Stays centered
66. Sets realistic goals
67. Has an advance game plan
68. Has contingency plans
69. Controls the clock

10 Questions About These 69 Mental Toughness Characteristics

1. How can you TELL when someone is mentally tough?
   
   
2. How can you tell when someone does NOT have mental toughness?
   
   
3. What are the ADVANTAGES of being mentally tough?
   
   
4. What PROBLEMS arise when an individual is NOT mentally tough?
   
   
5. How does one ACHIEVE mental toughness?
   
   
6. In WHAT ARENAS is mental toughness desirable?
   
   
7. WHO would you point to as EXAMPLES of mental toughness?
   
   
8. What are some BARRIERS that PREVENT people from achieving mental toughness?
   
   
9. What are some MISCONCEPTIONS about mental toughness?
   
   
10. What about being mentally tough seems PARADOXICAL AND CONTRADICTORY?

578 words

Copyright © 2004-2008 Bill Cole, MS, MA. All rights reserved.

Bill Cole, MS, MA, a leading authority on sports psychology, peak performance, mental toughness and coaching, is founder and CEO of William B. Cole Consultants, a consulting firm that helps sports teams and individuals achieve more success. He is also the Founder and President of the International Mental Game Coaching Association, an organization dedicated to advancing the research, development, professionalism and growth of mental game coaching worldwide. He is a multiple Hall-Of-Fame honoree as an athlete, coach and school alumnus, an award-winning scholar-athlete, published author of books and articles, and has coached at the highest levels of major-league pro sports and big-time college athletics.

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