Recently I’ve been listening to Brene Brown’s new podcast “Unlocking Us”, which I highly recommend. Not just in the days of social isolation but almost the last decade I have been ‘addicted’ to edutainment and podcasts are a great way to get my fix!
Obviously a lot of the discussion has been centered around the current environment and there’s been lots of great takeaways, a key one being “If you can’t feel it, you can’t heal it”.
It reminded me of the “R” in the 5 Steps to Igniting Your SPARK i.e. Rebound with Resilience and critical to that step is being able to acknowledge and experience difficult emotions and moving through positively to the other side.
So how do we build resilience? Because like I mentioned in my last post on the 10 Tips on How to Stay Motivated, resilience like motivation is a muscle, and can be built. Resilience is not genetic, it is not inherited, it is a skill we can learn and practice.
#1: Maintain Connection
As human beings we are a social species, we are wired to seek connection. We need and thrive on connection with others. In our advanced world where technologically connecting with others has never been easier, isolation can still be an issue and obviously now more than ever it is imperative we continue to make, build and maintain connection
#2: Solution Orientation
Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems, even if you can’t see it yet, our history and experience tells us that all problems have a solution or at least a way to navigate through.
#3: Life = Change
The very definition of life is characterised by growth and the power to adapt to the environment through change starting from within. By accepting that change is part of living our resistance and angst is diminished.
#4: Goal Momentum
Keep moving towards your goals and maintain the momentum towards achievement, satisfaction, fulfilment.
#5: Be Decisive
Take decisive action, continue to use the information you have, ask questions and find out more to make decisions and course correct as necessary.
#6: Keep Learning
Look for opportunities for self-discovery, growth and learning; this is the secret spice to life!
#7: Stay Positive
Nurture a positive view of yourself and others. You can always find the good if you stay calm and look for the positive.
#8: Put it in Perspective
Our perspective is a function of our experience. The more experience we have the more perspective we also have. Ask yourself, “What other perspective could I have on this situation?”; there’s always more than one!
#9: Hold onto Hope
Maintain a hopeful outlook.
Hope is the belief that the future will be better than the present, along with the belief that you have the power to make it so.” ~Dr Shane Lopez
#10: Sustain Self-Care
Take care of yourself. We aren’t able to truly help or care for others if we don’t prioritise our own self-care first.
My perspective of resilience is that there’s nothing wrong with a fit of despair, so long as you pull yourself out of the pit of despair! The mere act of getting yourself out of the pit and moving beyond the situation is what real resilience is. So, the next time something happens that has you feeling low — make it okay to feel what you feel. Exercise some self-care and self-compassion. And when you feel ready, take the next step and breathe.
Remember… your experiences shape you, they don’t deflate you.
I have had (and still do have) so many people supporting me on my journey of self-development, I’d love to help you on yours. Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can support you:
5 Steps to Ignite Your SPARK – download my ebook and find out how you can re-ignite your life, just like I did!
Take the High Performance Quiz – to understand if you’re ready to go to the next level and live a life full of engagement, joy and confidence 🙂
Book a Chat – so we can breakthrough what you’re currently challenged with or take the next action towards living the life of your dreams…
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