How to develop resilience?

“Resilience is not just one skill. It’s a collection of skills and strategies that help us bounce back after facing obstacles and setbacks.”

Research has shown that while some people may seem to have a natural disposition for resilience, resilience is not solely an innate trait. In fact, resilience can be developed and strengthened through intentional practice and training.

Resilience is a crucial skill that can be developed through three key elements identified by leading psychologist Susan Kobasa: 1 challenge, 2 control, and 3 commitment.

To be resilient it is essential to view difficulties as opportunities for growth, feel empowered to take control of our lives, and remain committed to our vision and values despite setbacks. By focusing on these elements and incorporating resilience-building activities into daily life, we can develop the skills and resilience needed to cope with stress, setbacks, and adversity.

Choosing to become more resilient!

The first element, challenge - Challenge involves viewing difficulties as opportunities for growth and development. Cultivate an open and curious mindset that is able to see potential and opportunities even in challenging situations. This involves shifting our perspective from a negative and judgmental outlook to a more positive and optimistic one.

Changing our perspective takes practice, but there are several techniques that can help. One technique is to reframe negative thoughts into more positive ones. For example, instead of thinking "I can't do this," try reframing it as "I'm still learning, and I can figure this out." We can also learn to live in the question and ask unbounded questions like... “What do I need to be aware of here?” or “What is going to be generative for my business and for me in my life?” Questions will allow us to have awareness of the big picture and explicit insight into the situation at hand. This can help us approach challenges with a growth mindset and focus on possibilities.

Instead of automatically seeing the negative aspects of a situation, look for the positives and opportunities for growth and learning. Don’t allow ourselves to be driven by fear, self-doubt, and insecurity. Start looking for different choices and different possibilities by asking – “What’s really possible here? What is possible here that I haven’t even considered? What is possible here that I don’t even know can exist?” These questions open the door for us to function from total awareness and to have total choice and total possibility.

This mindset can be particularly helpful in times of adversity or challenge when it is easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck. By seeing the possibilities in all things, we can approach difficult situations with a sense of possibility and optimism.

Constantly expose ourselves to new experiences. Place ourselves in unfamiliar surroundings or in the midst of unusual or unfamiliar experiences. Let go of our habitual mental routines. Learn to think differently about everyday things. Practice looking at common situations and common problems in novel ways.

By developing a more open and curious mindset, we can cultivate resilience and be better equipped to navigate the challenges and setbacks that life and business inevitably bring.

“Our outlook on life can greatly impact how we perceive challenges and setbacks, and how we respond to them. ”

The second element, control - Control refers to the belief that we can take actions to influence outcomes in our life. To function in this space, we must first commit to taking responsibility for our own lives. This means acknowledging that we are the primary creators of our own reality and that we have the power to shape our lives in the way that we want.

When we commit to being the creator source of our own lives, we become more proactive in our approach to life. Rather than waiting for things to happen to us, we take the initiative to create the life we want. This can help us develop greater adaptability and flexibility, as we are better equipped to handle unexpected challenges and changes.

When we commit to being the creator source of our own lives, we take control of our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. We become intentional about the choices we make, and we start to create a life that is aligned with our deepest desires and values.

When we take control of our thoughts, beliefs, and actions, we become more self-aware and mindful. We are able to recognize negative thought patterns and limiting beliefs that might be holding us back, and we can take proactive steps to address them. This helps us build greater emotional resilience and self-efficacy, which can help us cope with stress and adversity.

This process of becoming the creator source of our own lives is not always easy. It requires us to face our fears, our limiting beliefs, and our past conditioning. It requires us to be willing to let go of old patterns that no longer serve us, and to cultivate new habits and ways of being that support our growth and evolution.

When we commit to being the creator source of our own lives, we become more resilient because we are taking responsibility for our own lives. Rather than blaming external circumstances or other people for our problems, we recognize that we have the power to change our lives. This can help us build greater self-confidence and resilience, as we are less likely to feel helpless or victimized by life's challenges.

“By taking ownership of our lives, we can bolster an unshakeable resilience to conquer whatever challenges come our way!”

The third element, commitment - Commitment refers to the ability to remain committed to our priorities, vision, and values even in the face of setbacks and challenges.

Living in a space of total commitment requires making a complete commitment to being everything we are. This means fully embracing our unique talents, skills, and values, and using them to create a life that is aligned with our deepest desires, priorities, vision, and values.

Making a total commitment to ourselves means choosing total possibility over limitation. It means being willing to let go of limiting beliefs and ideas about what is possible, and instead, embracing a mindset of infinite possibility. This means taking responsibility for our choices, actions, and outcomes, and being willing to make course corrections when necessary.

Staying committed to our priorities, vision, and values helps us build confidence in our abilities and decision-making. When we know what we stand for and what we want to achieve, we have a clear sense of purpose and direction. We can take ownership of our decisions and actions, which can help us feel more empowered and resilient. We are more likely to take bold action even in the face of challenges and be able to bounce back from setbacks.

“When we stay committed, we are better equipped to bounce back from setbacks and thrive in the face of adversity”

Key Takeaway

As business owners, the idea of resilience can often seem daunting. However, when we focus on the elements of challenge, control, and commitment, we can begin to cultivate a resilient mindset that will help us overcome any adversity or hurdles that come our way.

Resilience is not something we are born with but rather a skill set that is developed and honed in order to positively respond to life's challenges. By intentionally incorporating resilience-building activities into our daily lives and staying committed to working towards our visions, we can maximize our own potential for growth and success. We have the power to make resiliency work for us if only we choose to take on this challenge.

By practicing these elements and incorporating resilience-building activities into daily life, we can develop the skills and resilience needed to thrive in the face of adversity.