Understanding if you can be too mentally tough is a common question, and the short answer is, yes you can the downside of mental toughness isn’t that pretty – in fact, we’re sure you know someone who has become too mentally tough, or maybe even you recognise some of the traits in yourself. Becoming too mentally tough happens more often in people than you think, but we’re here to help you understand the downsides of being too mentally tough and how you can avoid the pitfalls.
Typically, our self-awareness and self-control combine to moderate behaviour that has an adverse impact or outcome on people, events, or situations. However, if we don’t moderate and overuse or accentuate our positive mindset traits, we become “too mentally tough,” creating adverse outcomes. This is the downside of mental toughness, where the very traits that help us succeed can lead to negative consequences when taken to an extreme.
For example, if we are too mentally tough, some of the following traits might apply:
- We can believe we can do everything, but we cannot understand why others can’t. This can lead to frustration and a lack of empathy towards others’ struggles, further isolating us in our pursuits.
- We can be scarily aloof, untouchable, and unflappable. While this might seem like a strength, it can prevent genuine connections with others, making us seem distant and unapproachable.
- We can over-commit ourselves and others on projects or situations. This overcommitment can result in stress and burnout for everyone involved, leading to decreased productivity and morale.
- We can take on too many projects, do too much work, not recognise the warning signs, and burn out. This is another downside of mental toughness, where our drive to excel pushes us beyond healthy limits, causing long-term harm to our well-being.
- We can take on too many sizeable risks to “spice things up.” While taking risks is often necessary for growth, excessive risk-taking can lead to significant losses and setbacks.
- Our self-belief and confidence can be overpowering and egotistical – we can overestimate our ability. This overconfidence can result in poor decision-making and alienation from those who might offer valuable feedback or support.
The key, as always, is self-awareness and reflection. If we can recognise when our mindset strengths become weaknesses, which potentially lead to negative outcomes, then we are more than likely to moderate our mindset and behaviour. By being mindful of the downside of mental toughness, we can strike a balance that allows us to remain strong without overstepping into harmful territory.
If we can’t, then we may encounter some challenging times. The inability to see when we are being too mentally tough can lead to a cycle of negative outcomes that undermine our initial successes.
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