This pdf is a short document explaining more about Mental Toughness. What it is. What it is not. Mental Toughness and it's importance, some evidence base and further reading.

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Background Information
Mental Toughness is
When you think of words that describe mental toughness many
people think of grit, resilience and being mentally strong and
they're right, well, up to a point. Mental Toughness is actually
about being able to handle life's difficulties and challenges. It's
about staying on track, not being derailed by them and taking
positive steps forward.
Mentally tough people have a better chance of
achieving their goals. They are more likely to rise
to the challenge in the face of pressures. They aim
to do the best they can, they are better able to
control the controllables and put in place
processes to help them succeed.
Mental Toughness is not
About bravado or being macho. It is also not about
being tough or weak, let's face it, everyone faces
ups and downs in life. It is about being comfortable
with yourself so that you can go onto deal with
whatever situations life throws at you and so that
you can develop positive relationships with other
people. The great news for people, mental
toughness is not fixed. It is not a case of you've got
it or you haven't. It is a plastic personality trait,
which can be developed over time by experience
and expert guidance.
Mental Toughness Importance
In today's fast paced, unforgiving and changing
world if you don't look to improve your mental
toughness you are in danger of being left behind
and won't perform to your maximum. On the next
page there are four ways that this is evident in life
and work, suggesting it is critically important for
organisations and people to put in place time and
resources to develop aspects of mental toughness
if they wish to be happier and more successful:
"Mental Toughness is a personality
trait which determines in large part
how people deal effectively with
challenges, stressors and pressure
irrespective of circumstances”. Peter
Clough and Doug Strycharczyk
Mental Toughness 4C's Subscales:
Commitment - to what extent you
“make promises” and the extent to
which you will keep those promises.
Control - to what extent you believe
you shape what happens to you and
how you manage your emotions
when doing it.
Challenge - to what extent you see
challenges, change, adversity and
variety as opportunities or as threats.
Confidence - to what extent you
believe that you have the ability to
deal with what will face you and the
inner strength to stand your ground
when needed.

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1. Positive Behaviour
Mentally tough individuals are likely to be positive, assessing risk and accepting risk with a
glass is half full mentality. These people are also likely to set the bar high and have
confidence in their ability to achieve their goals, operating with a can-do attitude.
2. Performance
Up to 25% of variation in performance in individuals is explained by mental toughness. A
mentally tough person is likely to be more focused and show greater commitment to setting
and then achieving their objectives. In times of change, they are also more likely to respond
well to challenges and obstacles in their path.
3. Career Transitions
During our lives we all move through several stages, periods when we're comfortable and
settled, to periods when things are less certain. Perhaps, we move house or jobs, suffer a
bereavement or a relationship breakdown. If you are mentally tough you are more likely to
view such challenges from a more balanced perspective whereas, if you're mentally
sensitive you're more likely to feel threatened and resentful.
4. Well-Being
Daily stressors are experienced by everyone, this is a fact of life. A person who is mentally
tough is more likely to be able to deal with them and feel satisfied or content. Their
attendance levels will be good, they will sleep better and are less likely to develop mental
health problems.
Self-Awareness
In this development day we will look to help you to
improve your awareness of the elements of your
own mental toughness so that you can go on to
make better decisions in different situations.
"Mental Toughness is the ability to
consistently perform towards the
upper range of your capabilities
regardless of competitive
circumstance." James Loehr

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Evidence Base
The Mental Toughness Model presented has been extensively researched in academic
institutions and through real life case studies.
Many academic institutions across the globe have carried out research of different types. In
the UK the institutions include: Hull Univerity, Manchester Metropolitan University, The
University of Huddersfield and The University of Lincoln.
Overseas there are over 12 examples, some of which are highlighted below:
▪ The University of Western Ontario - Genetic factors in Mental Toughness
▪ University of Basle – Produced ground-breaking work on the link between Mental Toughness
and anxiety, sleep and dealing with pressure in adolescents
▪ The Universities of Parma and Modena & Reggio - Used MRI brain scan techniques to locate
the components of Mental Toughness in the brain.
Recommended Reading
Below are four excellent books that give you further insights into Mental Toughness in life,
business and sport:
• D. Strycharczyk & P. Clough, Developing Mental Toughness
• C. Dweck, Mindset
• M. Syed, Bounce
• J. Collins, Good to great