By Steve Beseke, Senior Vice President at think2perform (Please check out my resiliency e-books at http://resiliencyfirst.com)
What is the formula helping you through life’s obstacles and not taking good times for granted?
Here are a few thoughts to consider as you formulate your own unique definition…
In essence, being a resilient person means simply – or not so simply in some cases – that you are able to consistently handle your emotions at work/life in good times or not.
Sounds straight-forward enough, right? Well, as I have given you examples about myself and others through the years, life events do not follow such consistent rules. Our emotions and decisions made from them can be much more complex and not so consistent.
As I heard it once:
There are three essential characteristics that work synergistically to define resilience. The first is attitude. When faced with great challenge, attitude is everything.
The underpinnings of attitude include acceptance and understanding of your current reality, but most of all, it depends upon the age-old choice between optimism and pessimism.
Resilient people exude optimism. They look forward to whatever might be coming next. People often obsess over the details of their present reality, and as a result, lose perspective or hope. They tend to view their present reality as just another stepping stone (albeit a painful or challenging one) to something much larger and more meaningful.
The second element is often described as an uncanny ability to adapt and evolve in even the most challenging of circumstances. Resilient people exude creative adaptability. They not only adapt as necessary to overcome challenges, but use the experience to open new doors.
The third, and probably the most important, is the ability to stay in the present. You have no control over the past or future, but you can find ways to control at least part of your present by having the right attitude and approach to life
I read a “formula” for resilience from a medical professional awhile back that seems to make sense for a creaky guy like me, or possibly for someone like you with your own unique life challenges.
It is: Equal parts positive attitude and adaptability, with a sprinkling of youthful enthusiasm.
I’ve typically had the attitude and adaptability components as I deal with my lifelong disability, but not always the enthusiasm. That is why I continue with my 2013 resolution of enjoying life every day.
Not always easy and there have been a few bumps in the road to date. But the more I say and exhibit the resolution despite the life/work challenges, the more I continue to believe it.
Doug Lennick, a fantastic colleague of mine at think2perform http://think2perform.com (formerly Lennick Aberman Group, I think says it best: “Practice makes Perfect.”
While none of us are truly perfect, such a commitment to keep “practicing” when things don’t go perfectly will help all of us enjoy life better.
How are you dealing with your unique world today? Your formula to keep moving forward will help increase your resilience and really enjoy your great life…
Please tell me about your resilient “formula” or definition. You may have one that is even better. Let me know and I will post them in the future.
Thanks, again, for your readership. If you want to see more resiliency articles, e-books and videos, please visit my web site at http://resiliencyfirst.com.
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