Fortitude
(Determination, resilience, perseverance)
(Lesson 1)
Context:
Life is full of changes, challenges, obstacles, and disappointments—both inside and outside of the workplace. To continually perform at a high level, you’ll need the ability to stay focused, positive, and adaptable when facing stress, change, or setbacks. Successful individuals push through difficulties instead of giving up and manage pressure without burning out—and burnout is real.
What it is: Simply put, fortitude is personal inner strength. If you’ve ever marveled at a friend or relative’s ability to keep pushing with a smile—though they encounter hardship after hardship, obstacle after obstacle and setback after setback, never giving up or giving in to pressure—you’ve admired their fortitude.
Fortitude is defined as the strength of mind that helps a person face pain, adversity, or challenges with courage. It’s about staying strong and determined, even when things get difficult—both mentally and physically.
Why it’s important: Employers highly value employees and team members who don’t easily give up or become discouraged. They appreciate individuals who maintain enthusiasm even when faced with failures or obstacles. Nothing stands out in the workplace more than someone who keeps a positive attitude about a project, service, job, or task—even when it’s difficult or has encountered many roadblocks and setbacks.
Successful people inspire others through their resilience. So, whether leading a team or pursuing personal goals, fortitude turns obstacles into opportunities for growth and lasting achievement.
Displaying fortitude in the workplace and in life is one of the quickest ways to earn respect from teammates, clients, customers, and managers.
Primer Questions
Are there times when setbacks or failures really get you down? Make you quit?
Are there times when setbacks, obstacles or failures don’t seem to really have a negative impact on you? What’s the difference?
What is the hardest scenario, time or situation you have experienced in your life? How did you get through it?
Write down your answers and observations in your journal.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
— Winston Churchill
Inner Strength
Many times, you don’t know what you’re made of until you go through something very difficult. But when you come out the other side, you can be certain it’s because you’ve developed a measure of fortitude.
But can you improve?
Questions for Reflection
Reflection Questions:
What are some recent difficulties, obstacles, or problems you’ve had to face?
When they happened, did you feel stuck or paralyzed? Why or why not?
Have you ever helped someone else through a difficult time, challenge, or obstacle? What did you learn from that experience?
12 Habits of Mentally Tough People
1. They Love a Good Challenge
Mentally tough people don’t shy away from difficulty—they lean into it. Instead of viewing obstacles as roadblocks, they see them as opportunities to grow. Failures and mistakes aren’t signs of weakness but lessons that build strength, patience, and insight. They understand that discomfort is a signal for growth, not a reason to quit.
Do you like to try new, challenging things? Do you challenge yourself or do you like to stay in your comfort zone?
2. They Practice True Commitment
Resilient people stay focused on their long-term goals, even when distractions or easier options appear. They know why they get up every morning and stay grounded in their purpose. This sense of commitment helps them persevere when progress is slow or when others might lose motivation.
Is there a goal that you’ve persisted with for a long time? Maybe many months or many years? Perhaps learning to play an instrument or sport, or starting a business?
Metacognitive Assignment
We’ll cover more habits of individuals who have fortitude in the next sections. But for this week, try to notice whether you’re someone who enjoys challenges or tends to stay in your comfort zone. No judgment—just notice.
Also, pay attention to whether you’re someone who keeps your word and follows through on commitments, or if you find it easy to break your word or commitments to others with relative ease. Be honest—just notice.
Thought of the day.
You don’t need to be Superman. Just get through the next day, hour, or minute, knowing nothing lasts forever. Even tough times.