Mental toughness expert details how you can stay strong when everything around you feels unsettled

By James On Nov 8, 2022

Permacrsis describes the feeling of going through “a long period of instability and insecurity,” and has been revealed by Collins Dictionary as one of the words that perfectly sums up 2022.

From political instability to the war in Ukraine, climate change and the cost of living crisis, this Collins word of the year highlights the enormous impact world events have on us as individuals.

To survive and thrive, author and leading authority on mental toughness, Penny Mallory, said people need to dig deep to develop the resolve to manage the stress, chaos and pressures of the “perma crisis” we’re going through.

The British author, who is set to stamp out the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge in December 2023, told Femail: ‘Mental toughness isn’t about being aggressive, strong and macho.

“Some of the quietest, mildest people are mentally strong.”

Here Penny explains how we can better manage the stress and uncertainty to enjoy life and stay optimistic by taking a new perspective.

Collins Dictionary chose the word ‘Permacrisis’ as Collins Word of the Year 2022. It is the feeling of going through a period of war, inflation and political instability (stock image)

DO NOT WANT TO

Resilience is our ability to adapt, recover quickly and bounce back when things don’t go the way we planned or hoped.

Penny said, “Resilient people don’t wallow in failure; they acknowledge the situation, learn lessons from mistakes, and move on.

“They are mentally strong and more likely to thrive.”

Reveling means feeling sorry for yourself and attached to the idea that nothing will ever come right for you.

This is counterproductive because it doesn’t allow you to recognize why something failed and how to prevent it in the future.

START TO THINK ‘FAILURE’ AS ‘LEARNING’

Many people get so caught up in their fear of failure that it prevents them from taking risks and learning new things.

Penny believes that changing the way we think about failure is the key to mental toughness.

“Instead of ‘failing’, change your perspective so that you see it as ‘learning,'” she suggested.

Collins Dictionary Names ‘Perma Crisis’ Word of the Year for 2022

Collins Dictionary has named “permacrisis” the word of the year after a period in which people have experienced war, inflation, climate change and political instability.

The word, defined as ‘an extended period of instability and insecurity’, is one of many terms on the 2022 list that is increasingly being used due to the ongoing crises in the UK and around the world.

The dictionary said it chose the word because it “pretty succinctly reflects how truly awful 2022 has been for so many people.”

Six words on Collins’s list of 10 words of the year are new to CollinsDictionary.com, including “permacrisis,” despite first being noticed in 1970s academic contexts.

Another word on the list that has contributed to the sense of “permacrisis” is “partygate,” referring to the scandal over social gatherings held in defiance of public health restrictions that contributed to a prolonged period of political instability.

“Kiev” was also added after the city became a symbol of Ukraine’s stance against Russian aggression, as well as “warm sofa,” which describes a heated building, such as a library or a place of worship where people who can’t afford it have their own homes. may be heated.

The personal impact of the ongoing crises has also affected the list with the addition of ‘quiet stop’ – doing your basic tasks at work and no more, either as a protest or to improve work-life balance, as well as ‘vibe shift’ which refers to a ‘significant change in the prevailing sphere or culture’.

She explained, “No one ever got off to a brilliant start. Everyone learned their skills through exploration, deliberate practice, hard work, effort and resilience.

“Your actions and behavior stem from what you think and how you think. To behave differently you have to think differently.’

BE READY TO LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE

“Playing it safe and refusing to leave your comfort zone may be a recipe for failure, but risks are scary,” explains Penny.

“Champions learn to open their minds to possibilities, manage risks and use them to their advantage.

‘By stepping outside your comfort zone there is no loss; you will succeed or learn from it, and both are great victories.’

The best way to step out of your comfort zone is gradually, as this increases your concentration and allows you to learn and master new skills along the way.

REMEMBER IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Many people get caught up in the fact that they didn’t do as well in school, college, or university as they wanted.

Penny urges people to remember that academic qualifications are not the biggest success factor.

Penny said, “Only 30 percent of every achievement you achieve will be due to your skills, talent and intelligence, but 70 percent of your achievement will be due to your mental toughness, focus, resilience and determination.”

It is these factors, according to the British author, that create success.

She encourages you to think about everyone you admire in business, sports, politics, media, because they have all achieved their success through determination and dedication.

TRY TO GET A FEELING OF CONTROL

Feeling like you’re in control of your life rather than a passenger is key.

From time to time, when things go wrong and everything around us is uncertain, we can feel like we’re spiraling and struggling to know which foot to put forward.

To see through the fog of uncertainty, Penny suggested visualizing what things could be like if everything went as planned.

She said, ‘Take a picture of what you’re looking for. Put aside the things you can’t control and focus on the things you can.’

Doing this will keep your mind focused and allow you to get back in the driving seat as you see progress and find a path forward.

GIVE 100 PERCENT COMMITMENT

Some people avoid goals for fear of failure, while others get bored or distract their attention from them.

“People think they are committed to doing or achieving something, but it is rarely a 100 percent commitment.

“You have to give 100 percent commitment, this is what will make all the difference to a result,” Penny insisted.

For example, taking an ice-cold shower every day offers surprising physical and mental benefits to the way you think and behave.

This is an exercise designed to practice tolerating discomfort, which helps build discipline, resilience, dedication, and determination.

LOOK A CHALLENGE AS AN OPPORTUNITY

You should try to see every challenge as an opportunity to learn something new.

However, keep in mind that things don’t always go the way you want, but there is always something to learn from whatever happens.

Penny said, “It’s so important to learn from every experience.

“At rallies, for example, they say that if you don’t crash, you’re not trying hard enough.

“Sometimes you have to ‘crash’ to find your limit and discover what’s possible.”

Penny’s book, 365 Ways to Develop Mental Resilience: A Daily Guide to a Happier, More Successful Life (John Murray) will be released November 10, 2022.