5 Tips to Resilience in The Face of Adversity

Resilience is defined as the ability to bounce back after adversity. 

I figured we could all use some reminders on how to build up our resilience, so here are four key actions you absolutely must take if you intend to bounce back from the mess we’re all in. 

The 5-minute video is about building connections, finding purpose and making a plan, taking care of yourself, and using this opportunity to make some self-discoveries. 

I consider myself a little bit of an expert in resilience thanks to a near-death experience. All four of these tips definitely got me through it.

1.Build connections. Now more than ever you should be reaching out to your network. Have virtual happy hour with co-workers or friends, attend online networking groups, and get together with a mastermind group. 

I was so thankful for my mastermind meeting last week because I heard some things I really needed to hear. After explaining how I’ve been feeling about some lost opportunities, one person suggested that I grieve my old company vision so that I could replace it with a new vision. I so needed that advice! I’m purposefully taking time to grieve what could’ve been, but am also excitedly forming a new what could be.

Accepting change, by the way, is another action resilient people take.

2. Find purpose and build a plan. Resilient people get clear on what they need to do right now, so that they can create a plan and execute it. They plan, execute, plan, execute, and plan, execute themselves all the way of the hole their challenge has gotten them into.

Doing this provides hope, and a sense of control over something you can’t control (like COVID-19 and its aftermath).

3.Take care of yourself. Resilient people avoid negativity, and they focus on mental and physical self-care. Perhaps right now this means avoiding the news for a few days, and avoiding people who are emotionally draining to interact with. Seek out positive information, advice, and people, and you’ll easily feel better about the situation you’re in. Find ways to exercise in your home – maybe do some YouTube yoga with your family, or workout with your co-workers. 

4.Use this as an opportunity to make some self-discovery. When I was in my accident, a mentor told me that how I responded to the situation was real insight into who I am as a person. She said that right after the accident, I would’ve been operating from a place of instinct rather than reason. And the fact that I wasn’t running around flailing my arms and screaming bloody murder was a sign that I was (and am) the type of person who could lead people through adversity.

My instinct was to sit down and take some time to comprehend what had just happened to me, so that I could make calculated decisions about next steps. Mind you, this was all happening immediately after being hit by 150 tons going 35 miles per hour.

I take comfort in the fact that I know I have what it takes to get through this. And you should take comfort in the fact that you too have what it takes to get through this.

Use this time to journal, think, reflect, and figure it out. What kind of person might you be right now? And what kind of person might you be in a zombie apocalypse? 

I’ve got a few things brewing to help you make connections, build a plan and stay positive. 

GROUP DISCUSSION ON OVERCOMING CHALLENGES OF COVID-19

This is a mastermind group format made up of HR professionals, leaders, consultants and business owners. It’s free, and we’ll discuss our challenges, provide each other advice, and hear what other organizations are doing.

Sign up for the first one here. It’s Friday the 3rd at 9 am.  

LIVE WEBINAR ON COMPLIANCE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNICATION DURING COVID-19

Find purpose and build a plan with information from tomorrow’s webinar: Compliance, Culture and Communication During Coronavirus. We’ve got employment law attorney Jenna Leyton-Jones on deck, and she and I will review the new laws and guidelines along with tips for managing your workforce.