Building Mental Toughness IS a Process

Are you on a mission to prove to yourself that you can be successful in a goal that seems impossible right now? If so, then good…that means your dreams are big enough to scare you. How about learning how to get to where you want to be without struggling or doubting that it will happen? And you know what? You absolutely can. With the right mindset and understanding of the three phases: motivation, habit-building, and discipline, you have everything it takes to achieve your dreams.

Let's start with the inspiration phase. This is where it all begins. This is the easy part and exciting too! You feel the initial surge of motivation about your goal. Whether starting a new business, pursuing a passion, or achieving a Spec Ops dream, this inspiration drives you to act. During this phase, harnessing that motivation and building good habits is important. Research, work, and consistent efforts will help you channel that initial burst of energy into the foundation of your success. While this motivation is high, it is important to start habit-building immediately. Be prepared - there will be obstacles you will encounter...

However, the inspiration and motivation phase fades. There will be many days when you do not “feel like” working toward your goal, but you do anyway. This is when you enter the habit-to-discipline phase. Be prepared to have more days when you have to engage discipline over motivation, as this is where the real work begins.

I wake up every day for early morning workouts, and there are more days than not when I do not feel like getting up. This is when you can do something very powerful – go workout anyway or despite what your mind is telling you to do. Persistence will always win.

This is that magic moment that has to be done regularly when your motivation evolves into discipline. It's about showing up and doing the work, even when you'd rather stay in bed. Staying committed to your goal, even when the initial excitement has waned, is the final phase of this journey.

And finally, we have the mental toughness phase. This is where self-discipline, confidence, and the ability to create new habits come into play. This is the stage where you've mastered consistency and developed the mental strength to push through any challenges. You have obstacles…you find ways around, over, or through them. You will find that these skills transfer into all aspects of your life, making you more resilient and capable of handling any obstacles that come your way. This is how discipline and mental toughness are built – one day at a time.

As you navigate through these phases, remember that success is not just about achieving a goal; it's about the person you become. Embrace the journey, the ups and downs, and the lessons learned along the way. Stay disciplined, and never lose sight of what you're working toward.

So, confidently chase your dreams, knowing you have what it takes to succeed. Motivation, habit-building, and mental toughness are your roadmap to achieving your goals. Embrace the journey, stay disciplined, and watch as your hard work pays off. You've got this!

As a coach, I help people believe they can accomplish their goals. Especially tactical fitness and career goals. If you've got the drive and determination to succeed, it's time to act now. Head over to Stew Smith Fitness and discover the training programs, articles, videos, and coaching to help you overcome the inevitable obstacles.

Good luck, and I'm here to support you every step of the way.

Just email me at stew@stewsmith.com or check out my LIVE QA sessions on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 930am East Coast Time on YouTube and Facebook .

Tactical Fitness Coaching and Stew Smith CSCS

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Who is Stew Smith CSCS? Coach, Trainer, Writer, Podcaster: I'm the former Navy SEAL that tactical candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession.  See More at StewSmithFitness.com

Where to Find More Information About Optimal Performance Training Programs

When you start training again, consider the seasonal tactical fitness model.  I call it A WAY to train and obviously not the only way to train. But it offers the opportunity to never neglect your weaknesses, helps with flexibility and mobility, but will also put you at a level of physical abilities where you are happy with your overall ability to do just about anything. We have a system where the seasons dictate our training. When it is nicer outside, we tend to run and do more calisthenics. When it is colder and not so nice, we lift more, run less, and still maintain our outdoor activities with shorter runs and rucks. Check it out: Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization System.