How is Your Resilience?

Today’s marketplace is a test of resilience and stamina for many people. For some, the issue is dealing with an overwhelming workload. Others are haunted by insecurity: uncertainty about where the next opportunity will come from. Many people are experiencing anxiety above the future.

From my personal experience, I know it’s a lot easier to talk about resilience than it is to practice it. In those moments of disappointment or fear, the very mention of the word “resilience” can seem irrelevant, even irritating.

Yet there is little doubt that the ability to bounce back from setbacks is more important than ever. In a world where we can expect more setbacks, we simply cannot afford the cost of each setback resulting in several days of diminished energy or enjoyment.

A quick test of resilience

The following questions are intended as a quick test of resilience, taking into account both the length of recovery time and the measures you might use to bounce back.

Before you answer, I suggest you think of a recent “medium-sized” setback e.g. a promotion you didn’t get, a client you lost or a relationship disappointment. It could be something that happened or didn’t happen… maybe even a way in which you disappointed yourself.?

Then answer Yes or No as appropriate to the following questions.

1. When setbacks happen, this saps my energy for a week or more.
2. I tend to blame myself for what happened.
3. My self-esteem suffers, either because of the setback, or because of how I’m dealing with it.
4. Setbacks cause me to doubt my capacities, even former successes.
5. I worry about what other people will think, so I tend to keep setbacks to myself.
6. Significant setbacks impact my confidence in the future, which can impact my plans and ambitions.
7. I find it hard to focus and concentrate on today’s priorities, due to the impact of the setback. (For example, I keep getting distracted, replaying that scenario over and over.)
8. During times of setbacks, I often cancel social / fun events, preferring to withdraw.
9. My sleep is impacted, I find it hard to relax.
10. I need medication, alcohol or comfort food for several days, to get over the event.
11. During times of setbacks, I am not present to the people around me. People ask me “what’s the matter?” or notice that my mind seems to be elsewhere.?
12. Setbacks activate an underlying anxiety about myself or the future.?

Navigating the Rising Tide of Anxiety

Our next call on Thursday, October 24 (12noon UK / 13h CET), will take a fresh look at the growing problem of anxiety from five angles:

a) How anxiety affects both body mind and body; two distinct types of anxiety

b) The relationship between self-esteem and anxiety

c) The significance of self-worth as a cornerstone of calm

d) Spiritual resources: In what do you ultimately trust??

e) Practical strategies for living with / reducing anxiety

As a follow-up to this session, a small pilot group will work together during November to support each other to develop and implement strategies for mental health. Places are restricted to 15 committed people (no charge this time, as it’s a pilot.) Only those that show up live get the opportunity to apply for this pilot group.

Register here for this free event.

Do you want to work on your resilience?? If so, you are welcome to schedule a call here .

? John Niland, October 2024. For enquiries about John as coach or speaker, on topics of self-worth and professional identity,

see www.selfworthacademy.com or email [email protected]