MENTAL TOUGHNESS!
As we were working out this morning, we finished up with a pretty tough run at the end. While we were doing it I started thinking about mental toughness and its affect on our performance. Here is what poppped up into my mind about mental toughness:
MENTAL TOUGHNESS is challenging kids to do more, expecting them to do more and holding them accountable to do more. As we do this we start to train their (our) minds in all areas of our lives. I was studying with two guys last night and after we went over the English words one time they were ready to be done. That is a process of training our minds to do something quick and get it over with. We feel satisfied that we did it and even may get the false sense of feeling prepared. I let them know that we will go over the words until we know all of them. Anything less would be developing weakness--bad habits. And it took us a long time but good habits were reinforced.
What is the difference between pushing on the last set of 6 suicides for perfection and pushing to know every last vocabulary word? Both of them require mental toughness. This is what we strive to develop. This is why I must be vigilant in not settling for excuses from these kids and myself as to why we can't workout or can't study. I get from them: its too early, I have wrestling, I have basketball, I have to study, etc. We must teach mental toughness...you will excel in your sport, lifting (preparation) for your sport and you will excel in the classroom. We will challenge them with this, expect this from them and hold them accountable in this area. College and life will be a breeze for these kids that accept the challenge! We must mold and shape them now! Teach them great habits now! If not, they will suffer later in life from the poor behavior we allowed to develop.
Mental Toughness is a habit. It is taught. It is developed. Let's make sure our kids have it!
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