Building Resilience

As this year has shown us (over and over), life can throw you some unexpected challenges. Unfortunately, that is true for all of us. While it’s disappointing to know that yes, we will all have to face some uncomfortable moments from time to time, one thing we should find comfort in is the fact that people are incredibly resilient.

 Yes, that includes you.

Resilience is the process of effectively coping with adversity; it’s about bouncing back from difficulties and moving forward afterwards. This nifty little trait gives people the strength to tackle problems head-on; to face extreme hardship and keep going on with their lives.

 Now, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Oh, well, those people are innately stronger than I am” let us be clear: that’s not true.

 Resilience is not a trait that you either have or don’t have. It’s not something static or set in stone at birth. This capacity can be developed, much like a muscle. And it’s an important area to work on because it is something that can help us progress in every area of life.

 When it comes to the working world, people often reference the quote “get knocked down nine times, stand up ten”. While there may be setbacks in your career (hopefully not too many!), perseverance and sticking to your goals is the ultimate gift you can give yourself.

 The thing you need to know about coping with change is that resilience does not eliminate stress or erase life's difficulties. Building this capability doesn’t mean you’ll no longer feel stressed or overwhelmed. What it does mean is that your mental outlook will allow you to work through such feelings and recover.

 So, how does one do this? Start by making a resilience checklist for yourself. Think of this as a list of tools arming you for success. When things aren’t going your way, work through your checklist (which should suit your personal needs) and see how much your mindset changes.

Here’s an example we put together: 

Social Support:

Reach out to loved ones to talk through your challenges. Talking about the difficulties you are coping with doesn't make them go away, but sharing with a friend or loved one can make you feel like you have someone in your corner.

Find Meaning In Difficulties:

See if you can find something positive about how you’re handling this challenge. Can you see an outcome that connects to your values?

Reframe Your Thoughts:

Be realistic about your situation, but also try and look for ways to tackle the problem. What changes can you make that will help?

Focus on What You Can Control:

What is within your power right now? Your attitude and mood are great places to start. Try and work from a place of inner calm.

Accept That Change Is Part Of Living:

Change is, unfortunately, part of life. Your goal is to cope effectively rather than avoid loss or pain. So, your best move is to expect adversity’s eventual arrival, rather than pretend all will always be well.

Ultimately, the intention here is to better navigate difficult times in work and life. It won’t be easy, and it certainly won’t be the same way for everyone, but building that resilience muscle might just help us travel through challenges in a healthier, more balanced way.

Keen to build you resilience muscle, request more info on our RESILIENCE WORKSHOP launching 1st Nov

Download the Mindology App - an app to calm and empower the mindset available on the app store and googleplay.

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