TOUGH MINDSET
Thorough Oracular Unbiased Gritty Humane
Mindful Imaginative Noble Decisive Strong Enterprising Tenacious
Tough Mindset is a Master Key and a Make-or-Break Factor for Triumphs
“Tough times don't last, but tough people do.” That saying, it appears, is losing its validity as the times of the Covid epidemic are turning even tougher due to the war in Ukraine and intense geopolitical tensions in other regions. The inflationary conditions, waves of resignation and layoffs in millions are all adding to an already difficult situation.
So far, only those engaged in physical or low-skill work feared job losses from technological advances, but now with the advent of chatGPT even the creative ones fear job losses. This is inflicting heavy costs - over 80% of employees admit to high stress levels and the burnout rate is escalating fast. All of these put together are a threat with estimable repercussions, but reports that over 51% of youth in the age-group 25-35 in the U.K. are unmarried (reluctant to take the risks?) is, perhaps, a symptom of the bleak times we live in and demands our urgent attention.
Moreover, local/regional business storms are raging fiercely and causing further disruption. Many new, and even established, captains of industry and commerce are at a loss to determine how to sail in these stormy and chaotic conditions with over 90% failure rate among start-ups, a banking crisis coupled with insolvencies and bankruptcies among established firms. 29% of the Fortune 500 giants have dropped from the list. GE, the epitome of leadership, was delisted from the Dow!
So here’s the stark reality that contrary to the above dictum “tough times” are going to last and the Darwinian prophecy “survival of the fittest (rather toughest)” will be the guiding principle from here on.
The human race has survived and thrived throughout history, overcoming terrible calamities. Now, it’s our turn to surmount these navigating a Hobson’s choice. How do you sail through the tsunamis?
By developing the toughest mindsets! But how do you do that fast and effectively?
Before going to the latest technological means, let us take inspiration from the ways humans in the ancient times faced calamities without technology.
There is a saying in Hindi, “jo na dekhe ravi, wo dekhe kavi”, which translates as a poet sees what the Sun can’t see. “Jeevan Hai Agar Zehar To Peena Hi Padega” and this is how Shakeel Badayuni’s song runs in the film Mother India - meaning if life has become toxic, we will have to drink the poison - implying that we must digest it. Further he adds.” Gir Gir Ke Museebat Mein Sambhalte Hi Rahenge /Jal Jaayen Magar Aag Pe Chalte Hi Rahenge” – which means that we will regain our balance even if we fall often and we will continue to walk on fire even while getting burns.
What could be a tougher mindset than this?
With inheritance of such an indomitable and tough mindset, we can thrive despite the current ‘fires’ with the help of technological and psychological weapons at our command. An eminent psychologist says: “Thanks to mental strength training and neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain’s neural networks to change through growth and reorganization), anyone can rewire their mind to triumph over calamities.”
There are scores of techniques in neuroplasticity and other related branches. You can ponder over the following ones to develop a tough mindset. Ponder over acquiring these qualities.
Thorough Oracular Unbiased Gritty Humane
Mindful Imaginative Nobility Decisive Strong Enterprising Tenacious
The human mind has enormous power as explained by John Milton: “A mind not to be changed by place or time. The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”
Let us develop tough mindsets and make the hellish conditions heavenly.
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Look forward to your comments and feedback. Do share the tips you use to deal with stress that others can adopt. As the Sanskrit dictum advises, Sarvetra sukhinah santu or let’s all be happy!
ReplyDeleteLong back I met a Greek person on a Delhi flight. I asked him if he was a tourist or on a business tour? His cryptic answer was "a tourist but not in the general sense".
Asked him about the difference.
He explained that he saw "Mother India" film with sub-titles in Greek and was simply astounded by the inspiring ideas to be tough and continue to walk on fire despite singes .
He wondered if this was a just a poetic imagination or a reality. He spoke to some Indians and was recommended to tour in the tribal areas.
He stayed among the tribal villages then full of thatched huts, sans roads, power etc.
He found they were ill-fed, ill-clad and had no access to hospitals but they laughed, sang , danced, and indulged in jesting, slept well and got up early and went about strenuous hunting gathering activities . They were living the tough life the way described in the
song.
His punch line was "I am blessed with so many more comforts and facilities and now I will never ever complain or moan about 'difficulties and troubles' insignificant as compared to those faced by the people I stayed with"
The Greek person did decide not to complain about comparatively "insignificant" woes and troubles but most probably he might have started cribbing due to the "Happiness Hurts" phenomenon ; ultimately it all boils down to comparison; there is no absolute happiness, there is only comparison.
ReplyDeleteThe concerned person did not form his decision just after he saw the film, nor did he based it on cursory reading or hearing about the tough mindset . He formed the conviction after investing time and money and actually 'experiencing' the ground realities. Such an experiential firm conviction cannot evaporate by a fleeting feelings arising from comparisons.
ReplyDeleteMind is inherently fickle and 'mindset' can not be cast in stone; one can always find 'sound' rationalization to justify the change that might come from observation or comparison.
ReplyDeleteIt is better to avoid guessing about the mindset of an unknown person; the fact that he got impressed by the film , spent time and money to verify fact-or-fiction is admirable example.
ReplyDeleteIndeed exceptionally admiarable example!
ReplyDeleteVery engaging reading.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a beautiful dialogue from Peston Kaka by PuLa where he says, "God Is Suffering." As simple as it sounds, it has such depth to it. Very interestingly the writer has glorified the most negative emotion so that the follow through that is the learning (tough mindset) of this suffering is just the fruit of your worship.
Pu La quote has far too much depth and impact.Nevethless the authour's intent is the same snd feels rewarded.
DeleteThank u 4 a discerning comment
Pl tell title of PuLa book from which the quote is taken
DeleteIt is from "Vyakti ani Valli" book - Peston Kaka. You can listen to it on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw9kdLi8soA&ab_channel=AlurkarMusicHouse
DeleteThank you, had read long back but, would reread in this context
Delete