Neuro-Science Journal
Develop Mental Toughness With This Ancient Practice
Mental toughness is the ability to perform under pressure. One of the best examples is NBA legend, Michael Jordan, who went to 6 NBA Finals and won every single time. Nothing could stop him. One legendary story about Michael Jordan’s greatness is the “flu game.” In the 1997 NBA Finals, Jordan played a critical game with a stomach virus.
Mental Toughness Means Indifference To Indifferent Things
Mental toughness is exactly the same as a Stoic concept called “indifference to indifferent things.” Jordan’s words and actions reminded me of Marcus Aurelius, who wrote the following in his journal, also known as Meditations:
“To live one’s life in the best way: the power to do this resides within our soul, if we are capable of being indifferent to indifferent things.”
This idea is the first principle of Stoicism, as Pierre Hadot, a respected scholar, wrote in The Inner Citadel (a book about Marcus Aurelius’ philosophy for life):
“The principle of all Stoicism is, moreover, precisely indifference to indifferent things. This means, in the first place, that the only value is moral good.”
It comes down to this: Only worry about what matters to you. Everything else is noise. Simply shrug it off. When you’re dealing with emotions or situations that stand in the way of your highest aim in life, be indifferent to it. For Michael Jordan, his highest aim was winning championships. He was indifferent to everything else, and nothing could take away his focus.
