A Six-Pack Mind!
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A Six-Pack Mind! / 105, 09 Dec 2023
Well, another New Year is around the corner. As we start planning our fitness resolutions for 2024, this article is written with the gentle hope that we will include mental fitness goals this time. In other words, a six-pack mind to go along with a fit body! We all know how the South African Cricket team – extremely talented and super fit – somehow lose their way in pressure situations, or how our own champion and Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu sometimes loses vital matches to people ranked much lower. These are situations where pressure can nullify talent and fitness. This article focuses on simple everyday habits and hacks that we can use to achieve a six-pack mind, that will help us soak up pressure and perform at our best in all situations.
A Six-Pack mind, apart from helping us to calm the nerves, also improves mental health and emotional well-being. Today, these are possibly the most cherished qualities needed to manage high work-stress and uncertainty on regular basis. We cannot control the road conditions, but we can prepare ourselves for the road ahead. Like they say, an army sweats during peacetime so that they do not bleed during wartime. It is a similar kind of training that we have to give our minds, even when the going is good, so that we can be ready to face challenging situations, which often appear without any announcement. So, let’s start ‘sweating’ our minds with the following decisions and habits to build that ‘six-pack’ mind.
Pack 1: Positivity.
It is the daily tonic for our mental well-being. Having a positive mindset enables us to look at the overall picture and the future in a constructive and practical light. We can control our responses better. Let us resolve to wake up with a smile every day in 2024!
Pack 2: Strength.
It is important to stay strong and not get too upset when things do not go our way. We make poor decisions when upset, negating all other gains. Staying strong and resisting the panic-impulse is very important. Let’s tell ourselves, “This too shall pass”!
Pack 3: Resilience
Apart from Strength, we also need resilience. Resilience is the strength to bounce back from setbacks and keep doing what is necessary to move forward. Let's remember that 'there is always light at the end of the tunnel'!
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Pack 4: Agility
In a fast-changing world, our mental six-pack must include agility of response and of learning. We must be able to respond proactively to events. Let's invest some time everyday into continuous learning and development.
Pack 5: Tolerance
Our mental peace is often disturbed by conflicts or arguments in life, often with persons that we do not get along well with. Tolerance is an essential mental pack. Let's resolve to accept that we will move on, and not carry any grudges.
Pack 6: Reflection
Reflection is a hugely underrated mental strength. It gives us pause, and a sense of control as we navigate daily challenges in life. It works wonders. Let's resolve to include a few minutes of reflection (or sitting in silence) every day.
Apart from a ‘Six-Pack’ mind, having a sense of purpose, and taking small steps towards key lifegoals also reduces anxiety levels, enabling better quality of emotional well-being. To summarise, we need regular mindful practice of each of these mental muscles to develop a Six-Pack Mind. And of course, exercise is vital because there is no fit mind without a fit body!
I hope you enjoyed reading this one, and – as always – look forward to your continued feedback and perspectives as we build a buzz of discussion on this topic. Warmest regards, Krishnakumar.
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Reference Sources:
NIL
Great insights Krishnakumar Ramanathan Sir. Happiness (which is a natural state of mind in our childhood days) is one of the greatest medicines for mental fitness. Happiness (being mentioned here) is not about short term pleasure resulting from unhealthy practices such as usage of drugs/alcohol, smoking and other mental addictions. When we practise our profession passionately and sincerely (let us love our job or let us do the job we love), we will never get tired of life long practices and we do not have fear of failures. Because, the act of performing our duty (i.e. following the heart i.e. passion) itself brings us happiness and energy, irrespective of the results. Undivided focus, courage to follow the passion (very purpose of our birth), self discipline, great intentions (noble thoughts such as service to society, ahimsa) and process oriented mindsets will definitely bring in happiness or at least mental peace / self satisfaction (contented mind) to our life, irrespective of the results. In my spiritual understanding, success itself is one of the byproducts of the main product - happiness which is yielded by the process of following our own passion.
Student at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
11moNice post Sir. Very relevant in our times
Wonderful post. I've just seen someone talk about the need to address authenticity in order to work on your mental fitness, which I thought was a valuable insight!
Management Professional.- IIML Alumnus- Startup Mentor. Helping Customers with Innovative Solutions.
12moGreat Message for the present world. Physical 6 pack possible with continuous workout of Muscles and Body. Whereas strength of mind can be achieved only by complete rest. Exactly opposite. I feel below points important to include. 1. Minimising the distraction ( Tool - Chant of scared mantra ) 2. Learn to unlearn ( Tool - look for something new every time ) 3. Detaching yourself from Mind is the only way to get rid off emotional quotient of the Brain 4. Mindfulness ( Tool - Breathing Exercise , Meditation ) 5. Learning new things to improve cognitive capability
Former Vice President - Siemens Real Estate - Asset Management Unit India & Bangladesh
12moThe only thing I want to ask Kk is that for a 6 Pack Abs I can go to the gym but for 6 pack Mind were can I go 😕 . Any suggestion all of you including KK . I need a mind Gym