Ron White's Ezine
August 16, 2006
Issue 25

Without my planning it this way, you'll notice that this week's Ezine has a theme of mental toughness to it, per se. The longer I live my life, the more I see the benefit of being mentally tough and as they say in the old westerns, "Sticking to your guns" or in our case, sticking to our visions, goals and purpose. It's just like anything else in life, if you value it you must work and hone the skill of mental toughness, but what a payoff! So this week, look for ways to develop your strategic thinking skills, challenge yourself on a mental level to go the extra mile when you encounter situations and circumstances that might usually tempt you to avoid them or shut down mentally. Now, I know this might be a tough challenge I'm putting on the table for you, but I believe in you and I know that with time and effort you'll develop the skills you need to take you further than you ever dreamed and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

Go for More this Week!
Ron White

P.S. Today's issue is going out to more than 41,813 weekly subscribers. If you enjoy this week's edition and find it to be valuable, then if you would do me the favor of forwarding it to your friends, family and associates, it would be very much appreciated. If they would like to subscribe, have them send an email to: ronwhite@yoursuccessstore.com
 

In This Issue.....

1. Mentally Tough by Ron White
2. Quotes of the Week
3. Create Your Own Circumstances by Vic Johnson
4. Five Powerful Topics and Save 80%!
5. More Information

1. Mentally Tough by Ron White

One of the least talked about factors of success is being mentally tough. Mental toughness will allow you to endure adversity, hardship, setbacks and ultimately achieve success.

The next question is: What does it mean to be mentally tough?

• It means when trouble and heartaches head your way – you are not permanently knocked off the "bicycle" of life.
• It means when your plan is not going exactly the way you planned – you press on.
• It means when others criticize you – you refuse to allow someone else to dictate your thoughts or direction.
• It means you know who you are.
• It means you accept 100% responsibility for every action you have ever committed.

Now, if being mentally tough is so crucial to success – how do you become mentally tough?

Some of the most mentally tough people I have ever known are ones that I have served next to in the military. They are mentally tough because the military forces, and I mean forces you, to adopt three behaviors. In the military you will never be allowed to blame someone else, you will be required to be physically fit and you will be given daily goals and you will accomplish them!

1. The first key to being mentally tough is refusing to be a victim and accepting 100% responsibility for your actions. It is not your parent's fault, your bosses fault, the fault of the government or someone you knew when you were a teenager. How in the world can you be mentally tough when you blame others for your lot in life? It is empowering to accept responsibility for your fate.

When you consciously or subconsciously blame another (government, economy, family etc.) for the outcome of your life you are significantly reducing the chances of a happy life. This is true because you have given someone else the power to control your thoughts and actions.

2. Next, become mentally tough by becoming physically tough. Yes, there is a confidence that you will have when your muscles are toned and a walk on the beach does not exhaust you. Now, when I am 85 years old do I expect to bench 225 pounds and run 4 miles a day? Absolutely not! However, I do expect myself to put forth the maximum effort all the time so when I am 35, 45, 55 or 85 I am in the best possible shape for a 35, 45, 55 or 85 years old.

The confidence that comes from being fit is one that can't be found anywhere else. Watch what you eat and exercise. It is crucial in being mentally tough.

3. Set goals and then accomplish them! How many times do people make New Years resolutions only to break them by January 20th? This is a much bigger deal than you may think. It is a big deal because subconsciously you are telling your mind, "I can't even keep a New Years resolution!" When you tell yourself this subconsciously you then begin lose confidence in yourself and every aspect of your life is affected. When someone compliments you – it makes you feel awkward because deep down you think, "Gee, if they only knew that I can't even keep a New Years resolution."

Conversely, if you set a small goal of reading a book a month and you accomplish it, your self confidence begins to build. Subconsciously you are telling yourself, "I am valuable – I am worth it – I can hit my goals – I am successful." When you see yourself this way, you are well on the way to becoming mentally tough. In military boot camp, you are given a daily goal of folding your underwear in a set pattern and making your bed in a prescribed way. When you accomplish this goal day after day, even though it is so small, it is making a mental deposit into your self esteem bank account that says you can accomplish goals and are valuable.

Being mentally tough is often the last piece of the puzzle to focus on for success. Yet, I know very few successful people who are not mentally tough. It is easier to get there than you think. Become responsible for your life, stay in shape and set and accomplish your goals. When you do you will exit your own personal boot camp with a confidence to rival that of a Navy SEAL!

-- Ron White  

Ron White has spent over a decade training business professionals and students how to improve their memory, grades and income. He has appeared on FOX television, broken a Guinness Record by memorizing a 28-digit number in 75 seconds, been a guest on over 35 radio programs in the United States and Canada, and his articles have appeared in print across the country. Ron's live workshops sell out every time at $349 per person. For more information about Ron's latest release, Speed Reading or his other products including his best-selling, Memory in a Month program, How to Develop the Mind of Einstein or Write It On Your Heart - Simple Steps to Scripture Memory or to purchase his complete package, plus a Free bonus – visit http://ronwhite.yoursuccessstore.com or call 877-929-0439.


 

2. Quotes of The Week

THOUGHTS/THINKING

"All improvement in your life begins with an improvement in your mental pictures." -- Brian Tracy

"Look at the weaknesses of others with compassion, not accusation. It's not what they're not doing or should be doing that's the issue. The issue is your own chosen response to the situation and what you should be doing. If you start to think the problem is "out there," stop yourself. That thought is the problem." -- Stephen Covey

"It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting." -- Millard Fuller (founder of Habitat for Humanity)

"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds." -- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

"You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you." -- James Allen

"He that cannot reason is a fool. He that will not is a bigot. He that dare not is a slave." -- Andrew Carnegie

"Both poverty and riches are the offspring of thought." -- Napoleon Hill

"Use your body right: warm it up before you put it under strain. Use your mind right: psyche it up before you put it under strain." -- Tom Hopkins

"Your thoughts are the architects of your destiny." -- David O. McKay

"The brain is like a muscle. When we think well, we feel good." -- Carl Sagan

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." -- Aristotle

"Life is an inside-out game. The truth is that all our situations and circumstances have their beginnings in our minds. Our idea of who we are creates who we become – the great news is you can change your self-impressions and change your life." -- Mark Victor Hansen

"The biggest lesson I have ever learned is the stupendous importance of what we think. If I knew what you think, I would know what you are, for your thoughts make you what you are; by changing our thoughts, we can change our lives." -- Dale Carnegie

"I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think." -- Socrates

"If everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking." -- Denis Waitley



3. Create Your Own Circumstances by Vic Johnson (excerpted from Day by Day with James Allen)