The Four Emotional Markers of Mental Toughness

Sports Psychologist Jim Loehr has described “the four emotional markers of mental toughness:”

Emotional Flexibility – The ability to handle different situations in a balanced or non-defensive manner. Emotional flexibility also speaks to the skill of drawing on a wide range of positive emotions–humor, fight spirit, pleasure.

Emotional Responsiveness – You are emotionally engaged in the competitive situation, not withdrawn.

Emotional Strength – The ability to handle great emotional force and sustain your fighting spirit no matter what the circumstances.

Emotional Resiliency – Being able to handle setbacks and recovering quickly from them.