5 Things Smart People Do to Boost Their Resiliency

We all face setbacks in our careers. But not all of us bounce back from those setbacks successfully. In today’s competitive workplace, the ability to cope with everyday pressures and stand strong in the face of adversity is essential. Rising up to challenges and effectively managing difficult situations are fundamental leadership skills. Building your resilience is therefore an important competence to develop.

Here are five proven tricks smart people use to boost their resiliency:

Our natural tendency is to turn in the other direction when we encounter trouble. But the best way to boost your resilience is not to run from challenges, but rather to lean into them. Leaning into challenges requires a change in perspective. Instead of seeing challenges as painful, we need to see challenges as an opportunity to test our metal, build our characters, and see what we are made of. Facing and overcoming challenges builds our strength and sharpens our ability to better manage stressors that come our way.

Our thoughts are powerful. Thoughts shape our outlook on life and how we approach situations that we are faced with. The more we focus on something, the more likely we are to make that thing a reality in our lives. When we entertain negative thoughts, we undermine our ability to be strong and fight back. But when we think positively, we develop the confidence to forge ahead against the tide despite the circumstances.

Our words are just as powerful as our thoughts. Our spoken words can influence our moods, feelings, and perceptions and that of those around us. There is a clear causal effect: positive words create positive responses and reactions. Negative words lead to negative outcomes. So, speak words of affirmation over the situations you face – words that inspire you and motivate you to overcome obstacles. Here are a few to get you started:

There is truth to the old adage “there is strength in numbers”. When we are part of a community we feel empowered and protected. Often, when we encounter challenges and share them with trusted friends, we learn that they too have experienced similar challenges. We draw strength from knowing that they made it to the other side. We also find comfort in knowing that there are others there to encourage us, share their wisdom and stand by our side when we encounter challenges.

Facing difficulties is much more manageable when we are well-rested and physically fit. When we’re preoccupied with worries, we tend to lose sleep, over analyze situations and we may even skip meals. But, the best way to approach a challenging situation is with a clear mind. Having a good night’s sleep can give you a fresh new perspective. Maintaining a physical fitness routine and eating wholesome foods will also help you maintain a consistent energy level and give you the fuel you need to feel physically strong.

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