When the winds of change blow hard upon us, it's more important than ever to know how to build inner stability. If you are negative in your thinking, unclear about whom you really are and the vast inner resources at your disposal, you risk being uprooted.

People in a job search today are like athletes going into a high-pressure competition, particularly if they have suffered a setback. How do athletes achieve peak performance in the face of adversity? How do they get back on their game? What can you learn from them that will help you achieve your job search goals?

Over the years, I have learned some simple tools that have helped to develop inner stability - what athletes have long referred to as mental toughness - one of the keys to achieving success in whatever we do.

1. YOUR PRESENT THOUGHTS DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE
Our minds can make a situation far worse than it actually is. "I'll never get a job in this market." "I was terrible in the interview. They won't ask me back." "I've been in financial services all my life. My skills don't transfer." These are just a few things we have heard our clients say. This kind of thinking can prevent people from taking action and have a dramatic impact on how they approach and perform in interviews.

Take-Action Challenge: Watch out for your judgmental or negative self-talk. Ask yourself, "Is this really true? Am I making more out of this than it is? Am I focusing more on the negative than the positive?" Silencing the inner critic and developing a nurturing, supportive inner voice is critical for success and enjoyment in any activity.

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