Resilience is defined by the “ability to recover quickly from difficulties” or the ‘ability to bounce back”.
The good news is that resilience can be learnt and we can all do things to put ourselves in the best position to raise our resilience threshold. The more we practise the more resilient we become. Here are some areas to think about to make yourself more resilient.
Have a purpose and goals Having clear goals and a ‘personal why’ can help us have a clear sense of purpose and when we have this we are more likely to bounce back from setback because our purpose is meaningful and gives us that determination to keep going.
Positive thinking Maintaining a hopeful outlook is important. Positive thinking does not mean ignoring problems, it means understanding that setbacks are temporary and that you have the skills and abilities to combat the challenges you face.
Keep growing and learning Reading about others who have overcome challenges can be motivating and give you other ideas on how to cope. Reflect on your behaviours, thoughts and actions and identify where you managed well in difficult situations before so you can be better prepared next time.
Develop problem solving skills Take a step back and think about possible solutions and then break these down into manageable steps and from this set realistic goals. Actively working on solutions will help you feel more in control.
Look after yourself Focus on looking after yourself and make time for activities that you enjoy. By taking care of your own needs, you can boost your overall health and resilience and be fully ready to face life's challenges.
Ask for help The ability to know when to reach out to others for support is a key component of being resilient. Having people around you that you can confide in won’t make your troubles go away, but it does allow you to share your feelings, receive positive feedback and come up with some solution and options to move forward.
If you would like to talk through how else you can support your wellbeing please do get in touch with our Director of Wellbeing, Gemma Carter-Morris on gemma.carter-morris@nextstepsconsulting.co.uk
Gemma Morris, Director of Wellbeing, Next Steps Consulting