Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness

Do Hard Things

Steve Magness

Cover of Do Hard Things
Do Hard Things
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Psychology#resilience#toughness

Do Hard Things

Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness

Written bySteve Magness

Magness argues that the old, macho idea of toughness has failed us. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and sport, he describes four pillars of real toughness.

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  • Published2022
  • GenrePsychology
  • Key ideas5
  • Summary1 min read

Read it if you…

  • are going through something hard
  • want to think differently about a problem

The summary

Key ideas in 1 minute.

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  1. 01Ditch the façade, embrace reality

    Real toughness starts with an honest look at where you are and what you can do.

  2. 02Listen to your body

    Fear, tiredness and stress are signals worth understanding, not ignoring.

  3. 03Respond instead of react

    Leave a gap between the feeling and your action, so you can choose well.

  4. 04Transcend discomfort

    Find meaning in hard moments, so you can keep going through them.

  5. 05Knowing when to stop is strength too

    Sometimes the tough choice is to step back and try again later.

  6. Want the stories, examples and depth behind these ideas?

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Ditch the façade, embrace reality

Real toughness starts with an honest look at where you are and what you can do. Pick one small way to put this into practice before tonight.

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