My Resiliency Toolkit, 2.0
Yesterday I went for my daily walk. My music choice of the day was Ray Charles - for some reason I was in the mood to reminisce about my youth. My mom loved Ray Charles’s music and it was always playing on the 8 track tape player in our Chrysler Town and Country station wagon. As I listened I became overwhelmed by the sadness of losing my mom. Although she died almost 40 years ago, I let myself cry from time to time when I feel this loss. This has become part of my Resiliency Toolkit.
I must admit I’ve shed a few tears in the past few weeks. This virus has impacted everyone’s lives...loss of life, economic hardship, fear of the unknown. My brother and his wife have recovered from COVID-19, but there were many days when I could only speak with their children because they were unable to talk. My resilience has been challenged but I needed to stay present for them and my family, albeit over the phone and video chat.
I often find myself glancing at a post-it note stuck onto the bottom of my computer monitor. A few years ago while I was working at Goldman Sachs, I shared my Resiliency Toolkit with you all. At the time, I wrote down three major parts of my toolkit on a post-it note, to help ground me on tough days. They are:
- Keep moving - reminding me to bounce back from challenges or mistakes
- Work it out - the importance of exercise for my physical and mental health
- Make the call - stay connected to family and friends
Over the past several weeks, I’ve added two more things to my Resilience Toolkit
- Let it out - it’s not only ok to be sad, but it is also a normal human reaction
- Always give - be unapologetically human; give and give generously to others
You likely already do a lot of things to foster your own resilience. I found that it is helpful to articulate concrete things that I can do in those moments that I feel off-center (and consider using a post-it or two for reminders). You might find this exercise helpful.
What is in your Resiliency Toolkit? I know that we would all benefit from hearing from you. Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Board Director | Chairman | RemCom Chair | Audit | former CRO/CMO Walmart, Raytheon, Prudential plc
4 年Love this Edith. My toolkit has one additional "tool": Take the Time, Make the Time....
CEO | Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Expert | Speaker | C-Suite Advisor | Board Member | Military Veteran | Lover of People & Travel
4 年Great Tool Kit. Allowing ourselves to show emotions is a big part of truly being human. Thanks for sharing.
Trainer, Coach and Entrepreneur
4 年During this covid-19 period have done a lot of sorting of stuff in my house. What struck me was that I came across reflections that I had written down in my childhood and youth. Some of which were so powerful. I realized that writing down my reflections took the pressure of circumstances off my mind and I would be able to refocus my energy to getting ahead making me more resilient. I've restarted to journal my reflections again.
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at The New York Times
4 年What a relief that your brother and sister-in-law have recovered! With respect to additions to the toolkit, I pray. Without ceasing. And, read Scripture. My go to is Psalm 91. I pray for you continued health and well-being!
Senior Vice President, Credit Quality Assurance | Credit Risk Division - 2LOD @ M&T Bank
4 年Nice to hear from you!