We’ve all heard the expression: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. It’s all about making the best of any situation and bouncing back. But how do you overcome adversity and live joyfully? By building resilience.
Resilience can be defined as:
“The ability to become strong, healthy or successful again after something bad happens.”
It’s not just the ability to survive challenging times; it’s the ability to thrive in them.
Why it matters:
Resilience strongly correlates with stress. The more resilience a person has, the greater their ability to handle the negative effects of stress. And those who learn to build resilience can enjoy their work, relationships, and the daily hustle and bustle more than someone who gets knocked down by stress over and over again. It’s important to set up strategies for when you face life’s difficult moments or setbacks. (If you want to learn more, check out this great e-book from our partner MeQuilibrium).
You know the saying: It’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up!
Lindsay’s favorite tools, tricks and tips for resilience:
WATCH
- Based on a true story, the movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness,” embodies the power of resilience. Despite Chris Gardner’s challenges (like spending nights cradling his son at either a homeless shelter or in the BART station), he never gives up or seeks pity. Instead he’s gracious and optimistic. If you’ve already seen the movie, rewatch the last scene to remember why the pursuit is worth it.
- If you need a reminder to believe in yourself, watch this one-minute video. Despite failing 11 times, the tenacious duckling never gives up.
READ
- Steven Southwick and Dennis Charney have studied resilient people for over 20 years. In their book, “Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges,” they put together the 10 things resilient people have in common. Check out the recap in TIME magazine, “10 Ways to Boost Your Emotional Resilience, Backed by Research.”
- Resilience isn’t something you’re born with — it’s a muscle that everyone can build. And the book “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy,” by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant, will help you strengthen your resiliency muscle and develop compassion for yourself. You can’t escape sadness or life’s disappointments, but you can find your Option B.
LISTEN
- If you’re a fan of Option B, you need to listen to their On Being podcast episode: “Resilience After Unimaginable Loss.” They both open up and share what they’ve learned about planting deep resilience and reclaiming joy.
- In this episode of The School of Greatness, “How to Fall in Love with Pain: The Key to Resiliency and Success,” Lewis Howes interviews Eric Greitens, a Navy SEAL who shares strategies for becoming mentally resilient. You’ll get a glimpse into what Navy SEAL training is really like and learn the difference between a mantra and a manifesto.
DO
- Create a strategy for your future self: How will you cope when life throws you a curveball? You might want to release tension by practicing mindfulness or gain a sense of control by decluttering your life.
- Foster strong social networks. You need people you can confide in. It’s healing to share your feelings and solicit advice from your support system.
In the face of adversity, how you will find resilience?
