You’re struggling to develop resilience in consulting. What’s the first step?

1 Assess your resilience

The first step to developing resilience in consulting is to assess your current level of resilience and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can use self-assessment tools, such as the Resilience Scale or the Resilience Quotient, to measure your resilience across different dimensions, such as optimism, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and social support. Alternatively, you can ask for feedback from your colleagues, mentors, or coaches on how resilient they perceive you to be and what areas you need to improve on. By assessing your resilience, you can gain a clear picture of where you stand and what you need to work on.

2 Set realistic goals

The next step to developing resilience in consulting is to set realistic and specific goals for yourself based on your assessment. For example, if you scored low on optimism, you might set a goal to practice positive affirmations every morning or to list three things you are grateful for every night. If you scored low on social support, you might set a goal to reach out to a friend or a colleague once a week or to join a professional network or a community of interest. Setting realistic goals can help you create a plan of action and track your progress over time.

3 Learn from challenges

The third step to developing resilience in consulting is to learn from the challenges and setbacks that you encounter in your work. Instead of seeing them as failures or threats, see them as opportunities to grow and improve. Ask yourself what you can learn from each situation, what you did well, and what you can do better next time. Also, ask for feedback from others who can offer you constructive criticism and advice. Learning from challenges can help you develop a growth mindset and a positive attitude towards change.

4 Manage your stress

The fourth step to developing resilience in consulting is to manage your stress effectively. Stress is inevitable in consulting, but it can also impair your performance, health, and well-being if you don't cope with it well. To manage your stress, you need to identify your stressors and triggers, and find healthy ways to deal with them. Some common stress management techniques include breathing exercises, meditation, physical activity, hobbies, and relaxation. Managing your stress can help you reduce your negative emotions and increase your energy and focus.

5 Seek support

The fifth step to developing resilience in consulting is to seek support from others who can help you cope and thrive. You don't have to face the challenges of consulting alone. You can seek support from your colleagues, managers, mentors, coaches, friends, family, or professional counselors. They can provide you with emotional, practical, or informational support, depending on your needs. They can also offer you different perspectives, insights, and solutions that you might not have thought of. Seeking support can help you build your social network, enhance your communication skills, and boost your confidence and self-esteem.

6 Celebrate your achievements

The sixth and final step to developing resilience in consulting is to celebrate your achievements and successes, no matter how big or small. Celebrating your achievements can help you recognize your value and contribution, reinforce your motivation and self-efficacy, and reward your efforts and hard work. You can celebrate your achievements by acknowledging them verbally, writing them down, sharing them with others, or treating yourself to something you enjoy. Celebrating your achievements can help you cultivate a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and inspire you to keep growing and learning.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?