In my opinion, mental toughness is a real differentiator. The sport GOATs know it, and so does anyone who’s pushed through a tough stretch in life or business.
Here’s what stood out to me from the article below by Harvey Mackay (a GOAT himself in motivation and envelope sales):
–Mental toughness is built, not gifted: Mental toughness grows every time we lean into discomfort. When I finish a brutal hike—the kind of hike in Arizona where it’s hot, water is hot, there’s no shade, and nowhere to hide —that is exactly where mental toughness gets built.
— Self-talk becomes your performance: What you say to yourself matters. I have been lucky. I have closed thousands of transactions over the decades and have lost another thousand. Each transaction, whether I close it or lose it, adds to my resume, to my self-talk, and to my performance. Alex Hormozi has a great quote: You don’t become confident by shouting affirmations in the mirror, but by having a stack of undeniable proof that you are who you say you are. Outwork your self-doubt.
— The tough push when everyone else stalls: We know internally that we will hit a wall. AND that we need to keep going. The tough part is that it is hard. Really hard. How do we learn to push? More reps. Those early-morning 4:00 a.m. hikes, making cold calls, and getting rejected. That’s where I feel I am earning my experience.
Tough times aren’t optional; how you handle them is. Build your strength on purpose, practice it daily, and you’ll be ready when life throws something heavy your way.
Recognize There Are Two Kinds of Pain
Mental toughness is built by choosing the pain of discipline over the pain of regret. Every tough moment—on the trail, in business, or anywhere life tests you—is a chance to strengthen that muscle.
The Tough Keep Going
January 12th, 2026
Have you ever wondered what sets high achievers apart from the rest? If you ask four sports GOATs (Greatest of All Time), they would all say mental toughness.
Michael Jordan never gave up on his dreams, even after being cut from his high school basketball team. He believed that mental toughness and heart are a lot stronger than physical advantages.
Serena Williams endured life-threatening health issues yet returned to championship tennis by using her mental strength to succeed. She used power thoughts during her matches and reviewed them on changeovers, which helped her focus and get her game back on track if necessary. Her power thoughts included: “My good thoughts are powerful.” “My only negative thoughts are weak.” “You are No. 1.” “You are the best.” “You will win.”
Tom Brady overcame doubts about his football quarterbacking abilities. After one of Brady’s record seven Super Bowl championships, he was asked what makes his team so special. His answer:, “Mental toughness.”
Boxing titan Muhammad Ali said: “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”
We often hear the term mental toughness from athletes, coaches and sports commentators, but it translates to all aspects of life. Mental toughness is persevering through difficult circumstances. It is conditioning your mind to think confidently and being able to overcome frustration.
Mental toughness is incredibly important in business. It’s the ability to stay focused, resilient and composed under pressure, which is crucial for navigating the ups and downs of the business world.
Mental toughness is like a muscle. It needs to be exercised to grow and develop. You must get out of your comfort zone by taking on new tasks. As your comfort zone expands, seek out other duties to test your determination. You will soon discover that there is almost nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. Truly, it’s mind over matter.
Howard Schultz overcame numerous rejections while securing funding for Starbucks. His determination turned a small coffee shop into a global brand.
Sara Blakely founded Spanx after facing countless denials from manufacturers. Her mental toughness transformed her idea into a billion-dollar company.
Soccer great Mia Hamm said, “The most important attribute a player must have is mental toughness.”
Why does mental toughness matter?
Resilience in adversity — Business is full of challenges, from market fluctuations to unexpected setbacks. Mental toughness helps you bounce back from failures and learn from them, rather than being discouraged.
Focus and clarity — In high-pressure situations, maintaining focus is key. Mental toughness allows you to prioritize effectively and make decisions with clarity, even when emotions run high.
Adaptability — The business environment is constantly changing. Those with mental toughness can adapt to new situations, pivot strategies and embrace change without losing momentum.
Leadership and influence — Leaders with mental toughness inspire confidence in their teams. They remain calm and collected, providing stability and direction, which can motivate and guide others through challenging times.
Persistence and determination — Success in business often requires perseverance. Mental toughness fuels the determination to keep pushing forward, even when progress seems slow or obstacles appear insurmountable.
So how do you develop mental toughness?
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