Eric Rittmeyer is a former U.S. Marine & Mental Toughness and Emotional Intelligence Expert.
There’s great danger in allowing emotions to dictate our decision making. In business it means lost sales; in politics it can translate into something much worse. Our nation is “drunk in emotion” and people’s reactions about how they respond to things are all based on their political beliefs.
It’s time we stop allowing what we FEEL in our hearts to override what we SEE with our eyes.
We’re living in a time where it’s become borderline impossible for everyone to get along with each other. Whether it’s with co-workers, family members, or our social media contacts, it’s more important than ever to understand how to accept opposing points of view. Mental Toughness is the answer.
Below is a list of some of the secrets mentally tough people use to help them handle people in any situation.
1. They don’t let their feelings get in the way
Mentally tough people understand that maintaining control of their feelings at all times is absolutely imperative (especially when dealing with a difficult person). Feelings and emotions are great, but allowing them to get the best of you when dealing with a hostile situation will spell disaster. The secret is to have a very thorough understanding of when you’re becoming emotional and to offset it with logic. Mentally tough people understand that logic and emotion are inversely related; as emotions go up, logic goes down. They have mastered their emotions and they NEVER allow their feelings to cloud their judgment.
2. They’re willing to suspend their beliefs
This is definitely easier said than done, but mentally tough people work hard to master it because they understand how powerful it is. Our nation has become incapable of accepting opposing points of view. Mentally tough people are very self-aware. They’re able to analyze their own beliefs and also the beliefs of others – even if they’re not in line with their own. Temporarily suspending their beliefs gives mentally tough people the ability to see someone’s stance with an open mind, devoid of any bias.
3. They use compartmentalization to find common ground
Compartmentalization is the ability to focus on one problem or challenge at a time, without allowing your emotions to “spill over” from one problem to another. Compartmentalizing gives mentally tough people the ability to keep their opposing views separate from other views they may actually agree on. Finding common ground on things that you agree on can be critical in a difficult situation. Without keeping your feelings under control, it can be very easy to find disagreement on things you might otherwise agree on – simply because you’re “emotionally charged.”
4. They’re professional listeners
We’ve all heard the old saying –
“There’s a reason we were given two ears and one mouth.”
Epictetus (paraphrased)
Mentally tough people are experts at one of the most underrated skills available to humans – listening. We all have an innate desire to be heard and understood. Listening is an interactive process, and showing someone you’re truly comprehending their words is critical. Mentally tough people listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply.
Learn more about Eric Rittmeyer at https://mentaltoughnessspeaker.com/
References:
The MoCo Conservative 