How to Stay Positive and Be More Resilient
Just last week, I went from feeling on top of the world after finishing a big project to totally deflated when I realized that the five small ones I put on the back burner had become urgent.
Even though I’m usually positive and optimistic, falling behind again left me wanting to crawl into my nap couch and cry.
Of course, it wasn’t like I had lost my job. But the seemingly small day-to-day stresses can also add up. And today’s environment only amplifies the annoyances and challenges of work and life that might normally glide off of our backs.
Like the colleague who doesn’t come through with his part of the project, getting an urgent assignment on Friday at 5pm, or being stuck in traffic when you’re already late for your daughter’s recital.
If you have these ups and downs too, then join the club. But does it really have to be this way?
How do you stay positive and resilient?
The solution isn’t “time management”. There are only 24 hours in a day and trying to manage it better has limits. There are only so many ways you can reallocate your time. And at some point, it can feel pointless – like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Instead, a resource you have that’s much less finite and far more powerful is your mind.
Your mind is a great place to focus your efforts and attention when you’re looking to become positive and resilient.
Imagine being able to remain calm when everything around you is in chaos
To be able to manage your mind so you can think clearly and be at your best when others are fighting or panicking. And to remain present despite the many competing demands on your time and attention.
In other words, imagine having a more focused, balanced and peaceful life.
This is where my friend Anusha Wijeyakumar can help.
Anusha is a wellness expert, clinician and teacher at California’s world-famous Hoag Hospital. She has helped people transcend their challenges and find a deeper sense of purpose and self-acceptance through her transformative meditation program.
And her approach takes just five minutes a day. It’s perfect for us busy professionals!
Anusha has a new book coming out that’s aimed at helping you regain and retain a feeling of peace and calm in your life no matter what’s going on at work or at home. It’s called Meditation with Intention: Quick and Easy Ways to Create Lasting Peace and I think you’ll find it valuable for your life and career. Find out more about the book.
I asked Anusha 7 questions
These are great reminders of what you can do to take care of yourself, find more laughter in your life and become more resilient in the face of today’s challenges.
As you go through these questions, think about how you would answer them too!
“What's the best career advice you've ever received?”
Being immigrants, my parents instilled in me from a young age the importance of a strong committed work ethic to whatever job I had. They always told me to work hard as motivation and dedicated effort always pay off in the end.
“What do you do for self-care?”
Meditate daily without fail. Practice mindfulness daily and asana, the movement portion of Yoga, at least 3 times a week alongside walking out in nature with my son and dog, which is such a wonderful stress release. Nature heals!
And a great platform for online classes with expert teachers is Yoga International. I am also blessed to now live in Southern California where the weather is always good!
“What was the last thing that made you laugh out loud?”
My son who is 2.5 and says the funniest things now!
“What's the biggest small joy in your life these days?”
Precious time with my family and friends. This year has proven to be incredibly unpredictable. And as my parents and closest friends live overseas, how we must cherish each moment we get with loved ones as we don't know when we will see them again and get to hug and laugh with them in person.
“What are you reading or watching right now?”
Currently watching The Queen's Gambit and loving it! Just finished The Crown one of my favorites and perfect quarantine viewing this year was also Insecure and Never Have I Ever.
“What did you learn about yourself in the process of writing your book?”
That it is very difficult to write a book with a baby and business! I relied upon my meditation practice to give me the resilience I needed to focus and write with purpose.
“What do you hope readers will feel or take away from your book?”
How simple and accessible it can be to adopt a daily meditation and mindfulness practice that works!
Clearly, Anusha practices what she teaches and it’s helping her in her own life. And the intentions and meditations in her book are the ones she lives with every day.
Anusha makes meditation and mindfulness simple and doable, even if you’ve never done it before. Best of all, she teaches you how to do this in just 5 minutes. And it works.
So if challenges, obstacles and stress are keeping you from feeling and being your best, it’s time to treat yourself with kindness and compassion and spend a little time on yourself. What better way than through meditation?
What’s going on inside you will ultimately show up on the outside, so make friends (and peace) with yourself.
Anusha will be one of the featured speakers in my upcoming Career Mastery? Kickstart Summit in January where she’ll share actionable ways to be resilient during challenging times. Stay tuned for our announcement next month!
In the meantime, here are two things you can do today to find your own peace and calm in today’s turbulent world:
- Join me in pre-ordering Anusha's new book Meditation with Intention: Quick and Easy Ways to Create Lasting Peace
- Treat yourself to Anusha’s free 5-minute mindfulness meditation
So, how will you stay positive and resilient each day?
And if you also meditate, share in the comments below how it helps you in your life and career. I’d love to know!