How to Grow Above-Average Endurance

Endurance is the ability to withstand hardship or stress for a prolonged period of time. It is a valuable skill that can help us overcome challenges and achieve our goals in life. However, not everyone has the same level of endurance. Some people seem to have more stamina and resilience than others, while some struggle to cope with difficulties and give up easily. Is endurance something that we are born with, or can we develop it over time? The good news is that endurance is not a fixed trait that we inherit from our genes. It is a skill that we can cultivate and improve through practice and training. In this article, we will share some tips on how to grow above-average endurance and become more capable of handling adversity.

1. Remember that turbulence is normal.

One of the first steps to grow above-average endurance is to accept that turbulence is normal and inevitable in life. We cannot avoid or control everything that happens to us, and sometimes we will face situations that are unpleasant, unexpected, or challenging. However, instead of seeing these situations as threats or failures, we can see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Turbulence is not a sign of weakness or incompetence, but a natural part of the journey that tests our limits and helps us discover our potential. By remembering that turbulence is normal, we can reduce our fear and anxiety, and increase our confidence and optimism.

2. Remind yourself that you are stronger than you think.

Another way to grow above-average endurance is to remind yourself that you are stronger than you think. Often, we underestimate our own abilities and overestimate the difficulties that we face. We focus on the negative aspects of the situation and ignore the positive ones. We doubt ourselves and lose hope. However, this kind of thinking can be harmful and self-defeating. It can make us feel helpless and hopeless, and prevent us from taking action or finding solutions. To counter this, we need to remind ourselves of our strengths and achievements, and recognize the resources and support that we have. We need to tell ourselves that we have what it takes to overcome the challenges, and that we have done it before and can do it again.

3. Reflect on the fact that difficult circumstances do not need to destroy us.

A third way to grow above-average endurance is to reflect on the fact that difficult circumstances do not need to destroy us. Sometimes, we may feel overwhelmed by the problems that we face, and think that they are too big or too many to handle. We may think that they will ruin our lives or make us miserable forever. However, this is not necessarily true. Difficult circumstances do not have the power to destroy us unless we let them. We can choose how we respond to them, and how we interpret them. We can view them as temporary setbacks or challenges, rather than permanent disasters or tragedies. We can use them as catalysts for change or growth, rather than excuses for stagnation or regression.

4. Change the chatter in your brain.

A fourth way to grow above-average endurance is to change the chatter in your brain. The chatter in your brain refers to the thoughts and words that you use to talk to yourself or describe your situation. These thoughts and words can have a significant impact on your mood, attitude, and behavior. They can either empower you or disempower you, depending on whether they are positive or negative. Negative chatter can lower your self-esteem, motivation, and performance, while positive chatter can boost them. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the chatter in your brain, and replace any negative thoughts or words with positive ones. For example, instead of saying “I can’t do this”, say “I can do this”. Instead of saying “This is too hard”, say “This is challenging but manageable”. Instead of saying “This is hopeless”, say “This is possible”.

5. Hit the brakes on thinking too far ahead during adversity.

A fifth way to grow above-average endurance is to hit the brakes on thinking too far ahead during adversity. When we face adversity, we may tend to think about the worst-case scenarios or the long-term consequences of the situation. We may worry about what will happen next, or how things will turn out in the future. However, this kind of thinking can be counterproductive and stressful. It can make us feel more anxious and depressed, and distract us from focusing on the present moment or the immediate task at hand. To avoid this, we need to hit the brakes on thinking too far ahead during adversity, and concentrate on what we can do right now or what we can control right now. We need to break down the situation into smaller and more manageable steps, and take one step at a time.

6. Avoid feeding negative thoughts to one another.

A sixth way to grow above-average endurance is to avoid feeding negative thoughts to one another. Sometimes, we may have negative thoughts that are triggered by external events or internal feelings. For example, we may think that we are not good enough, or that we are doomed to fail, or that we are alone in this. However, instead of letting these thoughts go or challenging them, we may feed them to one another, and create a vicious cycle of negativity. We may reinforce or amplify these thoughts by finding more evidence or reasons to support them, or by repeating them over and over again. This can make us feel worse and worse, and lower our endurance and resilience. To prevent this, we need to avoid feeding negative thoughts to one another, and interrupt the cycle of negativity. We need to question or challenge these thoughts, and find alternative or more balanced perspectives. We need to replace these thoughts with more positive or realistic ones.

7. Have a strong support team.

A seventh way to grow above-average endurance is to have a strong support team. Having a strong support team means having people who care about you, who understand you, who encourage you, and who help you. These people can be your family, friends, colleagues, mentors, coaches, counselors, or anyone else who you trust and respect. Having a strong support team can make a huge difference in your endurance and resilience. They can provide you with emotional support, practical support, feedback, advice, guidance, inspiration, motivation, or anything else that you need. They can also help you cope with stress, overcome challenges, celebrate successes, or learn from failures. They can remind you that you are not alone in this, and that you have someone who has your back.

Conclusion

Endurance is a skill that we can grow and improve through practice and training. It is not something that we are born with, but something that we can develop over time. By following the tips above, we can grow above-average endurance and become more capable of handling adversity. We can remember that turbulence is normal, remind ourselves that we are stronger than we think, reflect on the fact that difficult circumstances do not need to destroy us, change the chatter in our brain, hit the brakes on thinking too far ahead during adversity, avoid feeding negative thoughts to one another, and have a strong support team. By doing so, we can enhance our stamina and resilience, and achieve our goals in life.