Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do

Sometimes being mentally strong isn't always shown in what you do, rather it's seen in what you don't do. Here's a short list compiled from author Amy Morin in her new book that breaks down what mentally strong people don't do.

1. They don't waste time feeling sorry for themselves.

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Instead, they express gratitude. Photo from Getty/NBCUniversal[/caption]

"Feeling sorry for yourself is self-destructive," Morin writes. "Indulging in self-pity hinders living a full life." It wastes time, creates negative emotions, and hurts your relationships.

The key is to "affirm the good in the world, and you will begin to appreciate what you have," she writes. The goal is to swap self-pity with gratitude.

2. They don't feel the world owes them anything.

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They focus on their efforts. Photo from DVIDSHUB[/caption]It's easy to get angry at the world for your failures or lack of success, but the truth is no one is entitled to anything. It must be earned."Life isn't meant to be fair," Morin says. If some people experience more happiness or success than others, "that's life — but it doesn't mean you're owed anything if you were dealt a bad hand."The key is to focus on your efforts, accept criticism, acknowledge your flaws, and don't keep score, Morin writes. Comparing yourself to others will only set you up for disappointment if you don't receive what you think you're owed.

3. They don't shy away from change.

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Rather, they embrace the inevitable. Photo from Flickr/Will Clayton[/caption]There are five stages of change, Morin writes: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.Following through with each of the five steps is crucial. Making changes can be frightening, but shying away from them prevents growth. "The longer you wait, the harder it gets," she says. "Other people will outgrow you."

4. They don't expect immediate results.

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They take small steps toward the goal. Photo from REUTERS/Anton Ferreira[/caption]"A willingness to develop realistic expectations and an understanding that success doesn't happen overnight is necessary if you want to reach your full potential," Morin writes. Mentally weak people are often impatient. They overestimate their abilities and underestimate how long change takes, she says, so they expect immediate results.It's important to "keep your eyes on the prize" and relentlessly work toward your long-term goals. There will be failures along the way, but if you measure your progress and look at the big picture, success will become attainable.

5. They don't give up after the first failure.

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Dr. Seuss kept at it despite near-constant rejection. Photo from Wikimedia, CC.[/caption]Success isn't immediate, and failure is almost always an obstacle you will have to overcome. "Take, for example, Theodor Giesel — also known as Dr. Seuss — whose first book was rejected by more than 20 publishers," Morin says. Dr. Seuss is now a household name.Thinking that failure is unacceptable or that it means you aren't good enough does not reflect mental strength. In fact, "bouncing back after failure will make you stronger," Morin writes.Read the full list from Business Insider[mwi-cat-listing cat="94" ppp="4" cols="4" desc="false" type="view" btn_color="black" ]