An often overlooked key to success is mental training – just like any other skill we develop in life, our mental competence is a muscle that must be exercised. Below are 11 key areas to focus on, divided into 3 main categories:
Seek to learn new things everyday
- educate yourself (through school, podcasts, reading books etc.)
- expand your vocabulary (if you hear or see a word you don't know – look it up)
- work on a side skill every week (painting, writing, sports, cooking, woodwork, learn another language, whatever interests you)
Exercise mental discipline
- lessen your procrastination (do the hard stuff first)
- maintain a productive routine (wake up at the same time, x amount of work per day, x amount of exercise per day, etc.)
- challenge your skills (up the difficulty each time you feel comfortable)
- challenge your beliefs (entertain all ideas – you don't have to buy into them, but hear what people have to say)
Work on your emotional intelligence
- feed your brain (stabilizing your emotions starts with adequate nutrition (ahem omega 3s) – you have to feed your brain for it to serve you powerfully)
- forgive yourself (there is no benefit in holding on to past regrets. From now on you must look at yourself as a clean slate.)
- get rid of those holding you back (negativity, shady friends, judgemental peers – their emotions will rub off on you if you keep them around)
- learn how to apologize and take criticism gracefully (easier said than done, but learning how to do so will go miles in developing positive relationships)
