Voluntary discomfort
Emotional Intelligence · Intermediate
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Train your mental toughness by deliberately exposing yourself to small doses of what's hard.
Micro-habits to get started
Small actions of a few minutes to start this habit:
Do one uncomfortable thing
Pick something slightly hard for you (an effort, a boring task) and finish it even when you feel like quitting.
Mental tolerance grows when you choose the hard thing while the easy one is available.
5 minOne more step
When your mind says 'I can't do any more', hold on a little longer: there's almost always real room left.
The mind gives up long before the body reaches its limit.
2 minBe demanding and kind with yourself
Demand the effort of yourself and, if you fall short, speak to yourself kindly rather than with contempt.
Toughness without self-compassion breaks; combining them sustains effort long term.
1 min