Thriving Like a Tree: The Resilience and Antifragility You Need in Your Life and Career Journey
Marilyne Mukisu
Senior Certified HR Professional and Certified Career Coach - Registered Professional - CDI-UK and SHRM-USA
As I wandered through the legendary Karura Forest, my connection with the serene natural world inspired me to write about resilience and antifragility, two qualities essential for rising above life and career challenges. Nature often holds the greatest lessons, and trees, in particular, are remarkable teachers. Just as trees endure the seasons and grow stronger with each test, we too can cultivate the art of resilience and antifragility on our life and career journey.
During my walk, I encountered a tree that captured my attention, a true symbol of resilience (see the picture below). Despite enduring numerous storms, it stood tall with disheveled yet vibrant branches, a testament to its unwavering strength. I named this tree 'Idowu,' an African Yoruba name meaning "One who is strong."
Each of us is a Seedling: Bloom Where we are Planted!
In the grand journey of life, we begin as seeds, cast onto the fertile soil of existence. It's our duty to bloom wherever we are planted. Just like the diverse flora in a garden, we too have the potential to face life's storms and flourish in our unique circumstances.
Visualize: Picture a garden that thrives after each storm, with flowers growing taller and stronger with every rain. As the storm clouds gather, see yourself embracing the storm and using its energy to become more vibrant.
Much like nature, life is unpredictable. Storms may come unexpectedly and seem unrelenting. But in the face of adversity, trees don't break; they bend. After the tempest, they stand tall once again. As professionals, we must learn to bend and adapt. When setbacks occur, let them be stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.
Yet, as humans, when faced with uncertainty, change, and life's challenges, we often struggle to remain resilient and antifragile. In the face of setbacks, most people don't emerge stronger. Our ability to bloom is hampered by various life and career-related challenges, such as job loss, workplace issues, financial hardships, personal loss, conflict, health crises among others.
Take a moment to reflect on your journey: What past experiences have tested your resilience? How did you respond? ?
I am certain that everyone has had experiences that tested their resilience, including me. ?However, our paths are unique, marked by personal stories of joy, fear, confusion, triumph, loss, self-doubt, and tears. Some weather the storm and emerge stronger, while others falter.
Today, I would like to share two powerful beacons of hope and transformation: resilience and antifragility.
The Twin Pillars of Strength: Resilience and Antifragility
Resilience allows us to weather the fiercest storms and bounce back from adversity. Antifragility, on the other hand, is the art of thriving amidst turmoil, growing stronger with every challenge life presents. It turns disruption into opportunity, chaos into steppingstones, and setbacks into catapults towards greatness.
Reflect: In what areas of your life do you currently need more resilience and antifragility?
Can you recall a specific situation where you demonstrated resilience? What strengths did you draw upon?
Reflecting on these questions can be your first step towards redefining your challenges and setbacks by drawing upon your strengths, paving the way to resilience and antifragility.
?What questions would you ask?
Imagine this: You're walking through the forest and meet 'Idowu,' my newfound friend in Karura forest. He sees that you've faced many life and career challenges and shares his story of resilience. What question will you ask Idowu to help you bloom where you are, and grow resilient and antifragile?
Lucky for me, I connected with nature and had a conversation with 'Idowu.' Here's the story of resilience.
The Mighty Idowu: A Tale of Resilience and Antifragility
Deep in the expansive Karura forest, stands the mighty 'Idowu' tree. Known for her towering height, strong branches, and wisdom forged by enduring countless storms, 'Idowu' is an enduring symbol of resilience.
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One summer, a relentless storm descended upon the forest, with fierce winds and pouring rain. 'Idowu,' standing tall as ever, bent and swayed with the gales. While many other trees were uprooted or broken, 'Idowu' survived the tempest.
As the storm subsided, young saplings in the forest approached 'Idowu' with curiosity, asking, "How did you endure the storm?" 'Idowu,' rustling his leaves gently, shared his secret. "I've been through many storms in my lifetime. Each time, I learned to bend with the winds, not against them. I built resilience by adapting to the changes, allowing me to withstand the fiercest of storms."
One curious sapling asked, "Why do you appear mightier than before the storm?" 'Idowu' smiled and replied, "That, dear sapling, is antifragility. When I face adversity, I not only endure but thrive. The storm forced me to send my roots deeper into my foundation. I embrace challenges as opportunities to become mightier."
Visualize: After reading this story, picture yourself as a tall and sturdy tree. As a strong wind begins to blow, visualize how you sway with the breeze, bending but not breaking. Feel the strengthening of your roots with each gust. How do you feel? I guess empowered to step out of the ring and face your challenges!
While you may not have branches to bend during storms or roots to anchor you to the soil like a tree, ?you can develop your inner strengths to remain resilient and antifragile when facing life and career challenges.
Here's how you can thrive like a tree:
Just like a tree withers in the harshest storms and grows back, so must we in our personal life and careers. The analogy of the resolute Idowu tree offers a valuable lesson of encouragement to stand firm, face challenges head-on, and flourish. Here are 10 key pillars for building resilience and antifragility: ?
1.? Become rooted in self-belief: Resilience begins with self-belief. Just as a tree's deep roots provide stability, believing in your abilities and strengths is the foundation of resilience. Recognize your potential to withstand life's challenges.
2.??Adapt: Trees adapt to their environment, growing stronger in response to changing conditions. When faced with obstacles, embrace change, learn from experiences, and adapt your strategies and mindset.
3. Embrace the promise of seasons: Just as nature follows a cycle of seasons, so does your life and career. You will experience moments of growth and vitality, just as you will face times of stagnation or decline. The tree sheds its leaves in winter, but it knows that spring will bring fresh foliage. In your career, remember that setbacks and withering moments are just phases. Embrace them as part of your journey, for they lead to new beginnings.
4.?Build a network of support: Just as the branches of trees intertwine for support, building a network of friends, family, and mentors is vital for resilience. Lean on these connections for encouragement and guidance in challenging times.
5.?Seek controlled stressors: Like trees strengthening their branches through wind resistance, purposefully seek out controlled stressors in your life and career. These experiences can help you build strength, adaptability, and new skills.
6.?Embrace uncertainty: Trees embrace seasons of change. In the same way, welcome uncertainty as an opportunity for growth. Embrace challenges as a chance to learn and improve, even when the path forward is unclear.
7.??Turn setbacks into springboards: Just as trees use fallen leaves to nourish the soil, you can turn setbacks into springboards. Learn from failures, adjust your approach, and use them as stepping stones to greater success.
8. Develop grit and perseverance: Success isn't about quick wins; it's about grit and perseverance. The resilient professional understands that success is a marathon, not a sprint. They are willing to put in the effort and work relentlessly toward their goals. Challenges are not setbacks but opportunities to display unwavering determination.
9.?Self-care is non-negotiable: In the relentless pursuit of life and career success, it's easy to neglect self-care. However, the resilient professional knows that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is the cornerstone of resilience. It enables you to tackle challenges with a clear mind and an energetic spirit.
10.?Cultivate a growth mindset: A growth mindset is the fertile ground where resilience takes root and flourishes. Believe in your capacity to learn, adapt, and grow. Instead of seeing your abilities as fixed, view them as ever-evolving. A growth mindset keeps you curious, eager to develop new skills, and open to challenges.
Conclusion: Thrive Amidst Life's Seasons
Like the trees in the forest, we can thrive in life's ever-changing landscape. Resilience and antifragility are not simply about surviving but about growing stronger and more adaptable in the process. As you journey through the seasons of life and career, remember the wisdom of the trees. Bend, adapt, and find strength in the face of adversity. With resilience and antifragility as your allies, you too can stand tall, flourish, and thrive, no matter what challenges the future holds.
?Take Away: What's one specific way you'll apply these resilience strategies we've discussed in your challenges or setbacks?