We discussed building resilience in previous blog posts:
In this post I want to give you a few tips as to how an attitude change can help your resilience. A healthy attitude in resilience terms includes several behaviours and perspectives:
Letting Go
Challenges are temporary. Situations change, difficulties resolve and people move on. How good are you at just letting things go? Is this something you can work on?
Can Do
Are you a glass half full or half empty? Unsurprisingly a focus on the positive in any situation helps to resolve them and recues the stress and anxiety created by a negative focus. The next time a tricky situation presents itself, take a breath and see if you can find a positive spin. Does that help you feel less stressed??
Positive self talk
Less resilient people are quick to blame themselves when situations don’t evolve as they had hoped or expected. This is certainly not always true and being able to separate your own influence on events from that of other factors – some which may be unknown to you at the time – makes for more resilient responses to crisis. Be a bit less harsh on yourself.
Embracing Change
A significant cause of discomfort for some personalities is change. The ability to embrace change and adapt is a strong resilient characteristic. When change next presents itself to you, don’t panic, take a moment to think of the exciting new challenges it could bring.
Learning
Life will always throw up bad experiences however if you can learn from these, as well as from the good experiences, you will be more resilient in the future. No one learns when everything goes right. And the stories are much less interesting!
Humour
Resilient people don’t take themselves too seriously! Laughter is a hugely positive activity both psychologically and physiologically. The next time you’re doing a presentation and everything goes wrong, just laugh, and everyone will laugh with you!
Control
Helplessness is a stressful state so analysing how you can influence limiting factors you can’t control drives good problem solving and a more positive outlook. Take a few risks. And remember the last tip if if goes pear-shaped!
We have entire classes we run on resilience, perhaps this will whet your appetite!
Good luck!
David Solomon
Managing Director, Sun and Moon Training
@SunMoonDavid
Photo copyright: antonioguillem / 123RF Stock Photo