Boost your mental strength! Strategies and suggestions for staying focused whatever life throws at y

Last week I ran my second marathon.

In 2013, I completed a PhD in three years to the day. During this time I completed a teaching qualification, wrote 5 papers and finished a research skills qualification. I endured 4 bereavements – 3 of which were young people in separate shocking incidences, 4 house moves, a couple of relationship break-ups and a bullying battle with my employer. It was a very hectic three years!

Whilst I may be accused (and guilty!) of showing off, my intention in this blog is to share strategies and suggestions for maintaining mental stamina and strength to achieve long term goals.

1. Find your focus

What is it you desire to achieve? What ignites your passion? I find half of the problem is identifying very clearly in our own minds, what it is we want to achieve. In a world where the possibilities are endless, sometime we feel paralysed about what it is we actually want. I truly believe anything can be achieved if we put our mind to it. This is clichéd, but once we put our mind to it, our body, heart and soul also combine to generate a relentless force until we have achieved this goal.

2. Don’t let anyone rock your boat.

This is another affirmation from Florence Scovel Shinn (my current favourite writer!) which I have read recently and resonates strongly. Whatever you are doing, do not let anyone take your eye off the focus of your dreams and desires, despite the storm raging around you. As I experienced during my PhD, sometimes the very people who are supposed to be helping you, or who offered you the opportunity in the first instance, can be the very ones who try to knock you off target. I am not saying don’t trust anyone. I am saying be aware of your power to keep your own boat steady and be aware of how much your boat rocks when others come aboard.

3. Visualise

At the start of the marathon last week, the nerves set in and I was genuinely unsure if I would be able to complete it. I visualised in my head crossing the finish line, how it sounded, felt, tasted and looked. This became the reality. When I was applying for PhDs 5 years ago, I felt all hope was lost. I had taken a loan to do an MSc, had ended a relationship and a life abroad to come and do an MSc and a PhD. I had one week left of my MSc course and had applied to about 12 scholarships and still hadn’t got on a PhD course. Every night and every morning, I began to visualise myself receiving a letter saying I had been offered a place. A week before the MSc was due to finish, I got an interview and offered an open scholarship (meaning I could plan my own project) on the same day. Keep the faith and keep the visualisation. Don’t let doubt shut you out!