A Little Book on Mental Strength

ISBN 978-91-7773-174-0

© 2022 Stefan Söderfjäll

Graphic Design: Daniel Åberg/Åbergs stilus et forma

Cover: Daniel Åberg//Åbergs stilus et forma

Cover Cover image: Shutterstock/rudall30

Translation: Darren Packman/The Craft Consultant

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This little book is all about mental strength. You might be forgiven for thinking that anyone who chooses to write such a book has, or at least likes to think they have, mental muscles the size of an Olympic powerlifter. But nothing could be further from the truth – at least as far as the author of this particular book is concerned. I wouldn’t say I am a complete mental wreck, but would rather describe myself as “exceptionally average”. I probably feel sorry for myself, doubt my own abilities and worry about the future as much and as often as everyone else does. Including you. I’ve developed a burning interest in what makes us think, feel and behave the way we do, as well as what makes us feel and behave better or worse in different situations and circumstances in our lives. It is this interest that drove me to write this book.

What I’ve discovered is based in part on research devoted to understanding how we think and behave when we feel and function at our best. In other words, it’s a study of patterns of thoughts and actions that appear to occur when we perform optimally, develop strong, lasting relationships and have positive emotional experiences. This research is, in turn, taken from and influenced by positive psychology, which is an offshoot of the far larger branch of psychology that focuses on human wellbeing and performance. Positive psychology is, in itself, an expansive area of research, and from it I have chosen to pick out and take a more detailed look at something that goes by the name of psychological capital.

One concern I had about writing a book like this one is that it could give the impression that I, as the author, believe that everything about your life is going to be fantastic, just as long as you believe in yourself and think positively. That somehow, just by reading this book, you will discover the secret to eternal happiness, achieve your life’s ambitions and go on to develop amazing relationships. Which is why I want to take the opportunity right now, in the opening few pages of this book, to clarify that this is by no means what I believe. In fact, I often feel the beginnings of my gag reflex when I read or hear sickly-sweet mantras and catchphrases such as “Everything is possible if you only believe” and “Think yourself happy”. Research into our psychological capital is thankfully much more nuanced and grounded in realism. It goes without saying that psychological capital is generally positively related to how we feel and function, but as with all other psychology-related knowledge, it is advisable to look at things from a probability-based perspective.

When reading this book you should, therefore, try taking a “it depends on” and “it’s likely that” point of view. I also recommend you take the same approach when reading about ways to develop psychological capital, both in yourself and others. Although research has shown that mental skills are developable, it is important to recognise that the path to any development requires an active effort and willingness to invest time. And even if you do both these things, there is still no guarantee it will have a positive effect, and the extent of this effect will depend on a lot of different factors such as your genetic makeup, your social and physical environment and the resources available to you.

I’d hate to find this little book nestling among the sermonising publications on the self-help shelves of bookstores declaring anything is possible with the power of thought. Instead my hope is that this book will give you a sound and nuanced insight into a set of thought patterns that, if you’re willing to do what it takes to develop them, stand a good chance of making a positive impact on your life and your wellbeing.