Life can be a story of success, glory, and greatness, often portrayed as the fruits of physical prowess, a captivating lifestyle, or exceptional skills. Life can also be the alternative where life is filled with defeat and failure. The line here is black and white; you win or lose, yet an invisible yet indispensable element separates the triumphant from the defeated. Today, we will discuss that fine line to find a way to achieve the necessary mental fortitude for greatness.

Mental fortitude is the fuel of the journey toward success. This fuel is more than action because mental fortitude is mixed with courage. Mental fortitude is our ability to function effectively and sustainably in the face of challenges and stress. This definition shows that we are ineffective and life cannot be sustained if we are not mentally fortified. Think of it as driving a truck with two wheels missing. Is it possible? Maybe. Is it effective? No.

Another way I like to view mental fortitude is that if you are a knight and your job/role is to slay dragons, you must be mentally fortified to fight stronger and bigger opponents, opponents who have defeated many knights such as yourself. This fear can be real, but we can also look at people who have done it before us and know the possibility exists. I go a step further and help people trying to do things that have never been done before. If they can believe it, they can achieve. Remember, just because I give you the weapons and armor doesn’t mean you automatically have the mental fortitude a knight should possess.

In a sense, we, as people, are similar to the knights I mentioned. We have all the equipment for the job but are too afraid to slay the dragon. We are too scared to take action towards courage, that mental fortitude we need to succeed and achieve greatness. How can we turn our tale (story of life) into one where we become the knight fighting with the mental fortitude to win today?

In the pursuit of greatness, it is crucial to recognize that not all battles we face are physical but also deeply intertwined with the workings of our minds. The true armor that shields us from the flames of life’s dragons is the ability to confront fears and overcome doubts, and persevere in adversity. The mental fortitude transforms challenges into opportunities, setbacks into lessons, and fear into fuel for growth.

Yet we might understand that mental fortitude is what we need; some will have difficulty overcoming the fear that has gripped their heart and paralyzed their every move. This becomes the deciding factor as to whether you will be successful and find greatness or remain vulnerable and show your weaker side to the world. Whichever you choose, understand that the fate of your life is always in your hands, and if you fail to fortify yourself from the world’s onslaught mentally, you will be beaten into submission.

At some point, we must look at our lives and mindsets to see if our results resonate with our desires. From experience, over 80% of people are unhappy with their current situation and would like to change it. This desire is not one of entitlement or selfishness but from understanding that greater possibilities are possible. This means we can have greater and more exceptional skills and achieve something more than right now. We need not someone to save us but rather to develop the mental fortitude to face our challenges head-on instead of running away from them.

To cultivate mental fortitude, one must embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner strength. It involves facing the dragons within—the self-doubt, fear of failure, and the uncertainties lurking in our minds’ shadows. Building mental resilience requires practice, mindfulness, and a commitment to self-improvement. This is where I do most of my work as a Mindset Coach because many people have developed the habit of tossing their fears and baggage in the corner or sweeping them under the rug and not facing them head on.

Well, as you can imagine, if you want to achieve greatness, you must learn to pursue those fears and challenges that are causing you hardship and stress and cut them down to size. Frequently, our problems are goliath in our minds but are simple when shared with a group or coach. Yes, there is no doubt that you might have a lot of work to do, but when you share your fears or team up to handle a big problem, it becomes more doable in your mind.

The same can be true when we talk about fighting that metaphorical dragon. Would you rather fight the dragon alone or want an army of knights with you? Most will say the army, but many will dream of being that sole hero who doesn’t need help. Depending on your mindset and what your goals are will determine how much you must fortify your mindset.

This means you must hone yourself through rigorous training to sharpen your mind, your greatest weapon. This can range from physical fitness, meditation, or seeking help from mentors, which can contribute to developing mental fortitude. One of my favorite ways to develop mental fortitude is cardio exercise. This is done by getting to the point where your mind is telling you to stop, your body is screaming, but your spirit is still willing. If you can show the mind and the body your spirit each time they want to quit and throw in the towel, you will become more mentally strong.

This mental strength does tend to bring more physical strength, but it doesn’t always have to. For example, you can focus on meditation if fitness is not your jam. Another great way to develop mental fortitude is by running toward the fears we may run from naturally. The example that comes to mind is when you disagree with another person. The other person might yell, scream, or even want to fight you. You can build mental fortitude by standing and not bending the knee.

If you haven’t figured out the key to strengthening and building mental fortitude, it is to overcome pain and fear. When you can do this more frequently, you will develop a mindset that you shall remain steadfast and brave even in the face of a mighty dragon. Life is similar because we must learn to face life with a courageous heart and a clear mind focused on what we are in pursuit of; greatness.

Though greatness might not be what you think you want, it could be happiness; we all want to be someone accepted. This is why people will hang around people who like them and have a similar mindset. You won’t typically hang around in your free time with people you hate and do not like. This is why developing a stronger mental fortitude is necessary because even if the people around you accept you for who you are, will you accept yourself?

Most people struggle with this concept because they do not accept who they are because they know they can attain a better version of themselves. Often, work stops people from reaching their goals; the second is ignorance. However, we may be afraid to do the work and need help knowing where to begin. Fear not because the answer has been in front of you.

Here at Reven Concepts, we help people build the mindset and mental fortitude necessary to achieve their dreams and greatness. This fortitude will propel you forward even if you still decide whether to face the challenge internally or externally. They say that, in the moment of fear, the best time to jump or take action is now. Jump into that fear and take action toward that unknown potential to unlock the mental fortitude necessary for your dreams.

In closing, mental fortitude can be the true key to triumph in life. We must work to get out of our minds and into more action. You might not be brave at first or do it with courage over time, but I promise you that if you keep going, it will get easier. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather understanding and proceeding regardless. This creates mental fortitude, allowing you to live more pronounced to who you truly desire to be.

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts