Can you say NO confidently?

Mentally strong individuals are aware that saying NO is actually healthy, thereby protecting their self-esteem.

When you are an entrepreneur or hold a senior position in a company, you need emotional and mental balance to be successful.

All of us go through hardships, face rejection, get stuck in boring jobs and face personal hurdles in life. Such situations test your emotional well-being and your true strength lies in successfully cruising through them.

So, if you are feeling a bit low and are in search of motivation, observe how mentally strong people handle challenges in their own lives.

Here are a few things they do on a regular basis which keep them sane and strong:

1. They welcome change

Mentally tough people don't hesitate to embrace change.

They welcome it with positivity and optimism. The worst thing that can happen to you is not having any change.

Many times, change can be an opportunity to step up in life.

When you are doing the same thing over and over again, the results won't be any different. You should be willing to adapt to change with an open mind.

2. They say NO with confidence

When a senior at work asks you something, it is easier to say Yes than to say No.

Saying yes seems more positive, pleasing and spontaneous. But research conducted by the University of California suggests that people who find it difficult to say no experience burnout, stress and, sometimes, depression.

On the other hand, mentally strong individuals are aware that saying no is actually healthy, thereby protecting their self-esteem.

All you need to be is polite, yet stern.

If you say things like 'I'm not certain' or 'I don't think I can do this,' it only makes it very ambiguous. Rather, say no with confidence and experience a sense of liberation.

3. They don't overthink

Mentally strong individuals don't over-analyse every situation, trying to find a meaning behind it.

They do not feel the need to control every little thing.

They don't complain, worry or keep wishing for things that are too difficult to achieve.

It is only a waste of energy. Instead, when you invest in things you can control, you will feel prepared for what life throws at you.

For example, if an employee or co-worker is behaving in a certain way, don't fret about things that made them so. Instead, focus on your productivity or project and try to do a good job.

4. They focus on themselves

Warren Buffet said, 'The best investment you can make is in yourself.'

There are so many reports and articles which suggest that good nourishment through food and exercises like yoga or running are what successful people follow religiously.

These lifestyle habits can reduce stress, improve memory, clear up vision and improve your cognitive abilities.

You can also see that their self-confidence is much higher; so are their social skills, confidence and attention span.

5. They are not envious

When mentally strong individuals hear about a friend's promotion or a family member's achievement, they know that these don't define their own lives or their achievements.

They don't compare themselves with anyone and they are sporting about criticism.

Like personal habits, mental well-being can also be cultivated by relentlessly practising it. And, before you know it, people will start looking up to you.