Building Mental Toughness

Law school and the bar exam require immense mental toughness during regular preparation periods.  Online learning combined with the stress from uncertainty magnifies that difficulty.  Dr. Travis Bradberry wrote an article for Success magazine in 2016 describing 15 qualities mentally tough people exhibit.  The list includes:

1. Emotional Intelligence
2. Confidence
3. Neutralizing toxic people
4. Embracing change
5. Saying no
6. Fear leads to regret
7. Embracing failure
8. Not dwelling on mistakes
9. Others won't limit joy
10. Won't limit the joy of others
11. Exercise
12. Get enough sleep
13. Limit caffeine
14. Forgiving
15. Relentlessly positive

All those qualities may not apply to law school or the current situation, but many of us could benefit from doing more of a few of them.  Most of us should be more confident, say no more, embrace failure, not dwell on mistakes, exercise, get sleep, forgive, and stay positive.  Check out the article for advice in each one of these areas.  Most of us are trying to do much more now than a couple months ago.  Be reasonable and take steps to stay mentally fresh.  

(Steven Foster)