About This Episode:
In this episode of “#WalkWithMe” I share five lessons I’ve learned in how in challenging times like these we can elevate resilience—toughness over time—in ourselves and in those we care about.
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I think this season of our life requires a resilience that maybe we’ve never had to have before. To me, resilience means developing toughness over time. It’s finding strength through the struggle. It’s about overcoming or getting through and then continually moving forward. Many of us need to elevate our resilience; in the past, we could leap over an issue, or walk around it, or just ignore it and hope it went away. But this year, with all the uncertainty in our world, we need true resilience. It is a requirement, not an option. Here are five ways we can raise our resilience right now.
#1 – Commit to live in the NOW.
The only thing we have is the present, and yet a lot of us talk about how we can’t wait for things to return to normal. Our focus is on the past. Or, we gravitate to the future with thoughts like “I can’t wait until I get to do this.” The future is always an uncertainty, and so focusing on it can lead to unnecessary stress or anxiety. NOW is the season we’re in, so stop looking backwards and stop stressing about the future, and instead deal with the reality of today.
#2 – Focus on fact over fear.
There is an infection of fear spreading everywhere. We need to see fear as a virus and fight that, because it can infect us even without contact or proximity. Fear affects our physiological reactions and keeps us stuck. Whenever we hear something, we should ask ourselves: Is what we’re listening to full of propaganda, rhetoric, hyperbole, etc.? What is the truth? Distill input into facts and eliminate that which is packaged in fear or noise.
#3 – Recharge.
All of us need to recognize when we’re hitting the red line or getting burned out so that we can pause and recharge. Everything is energy; life is energy. So we need to protect our energy. You can’t function at a 10 level 100% of the time. Your energy needs to be high in order to be resilient, so figure out what will help you fill up your cup.
#4 – Shift from pain to pride.
Perspective is everything. I love the Rocky Balboa quote that it’s not how hard you hit but how hard you can get hit. That is strength. We’re all taking hits right now in different ways and it hurts. Instead of thinking, ‘man, this hurts and I don’t know how much I can take of this,’ flip the lens and look how strong you really are. Shift your perspective and realize all the hits you’re taking—and be proud of that. There is certainty and confidence in knowing that you can take hit after hit and you’re still here.
#5 – Stay grounded in real gratitude.
No matter the situation you’re in, there is somebody in your exact situation making it happen, learning from it, growing from it. If they can do it, then you can too. Compare yourself to the person who has it worse than you, who would trade their problems for your problems. Draw inspiration from those who are overcoming. Things can be worse, and for some people, they already are. Appreciate what and who you have, and ask yourself if everything you’re going through right now is preparing you for the person you’re meant to be.
Live in the now, face the reality, focus on distilling facts over fear, stop and recharge to protect your energy, shift from pain to pride, and appreciate what you do have. That is resilience. And we need it more now than ever.