Resilience

Cheryl Benadie

Cheryl launched Whole Person Academy to help budding entrepreneurs and employees rediscover the joy of work and to thereby thrive in the 4IR.

Website:

www.wholeper sonacademy.com

Twitter:

@wholeperson academy

Facebook:

facebook.com/ wholeperson academy

LinkedIn:

wholeperson academy

Resilience. Become the Hero of your own story

It’s the voice inside your head that tells you to try again when something didn’t work out quite as planned. It’s that inner resolve that kicks in when you realise that the path to the goal that you’re trying to attain is going to take much longer than originally anticipated. It’s holding onto hope that even though you keep facing obstacles, one day you will have what you’ve been dreaming of for years.

The people who will not just survive – but thrive – in the new world of work will be those who have developed the characteristic of resilience.

Here’s how to build resilience

Believe that you’re valuable:

We cannot act in contradiction to our core beliefs. So, if you don’t believe that you are worthy of success, you will unconsciously sabotage yourself to prove this negative self-belief (like not studying for an exam or being late to an important interview).

Keep the big picture in mind:

If you have a clear vision of your destination, it helps to make the process to get there a little easier. The start of something (like your first week on campus, a new relationship or starting a new job) is always exciting and feeds your energy. Eventually the momentum slows down because it takes time for real learning and growth to happen. This part of the journey is often where a lot of people get bored or discouraged.

Harness your emotions:

Your emotions are important messengers, helping you navigate difficult circumstances. For example, it is normal to feel frustrated and disappointed if you fail a semester and have to repeat it. Allow yourself to feel but never allow your emotions to dictate your decisions. Resilient people are masters of their emotions and make decisions based on their commitment to their goals.

“Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult.”

– M Scott Peck

Cultivate your tribe:

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. It might seem harmless to hang out with negative and toxic people just because they’re in your family or friendship circle. In the long term, however, their negativity and lack of drive will influence you to give up on the things most important to you. Rather seek out people that inspire, challenge and support you in becoming the best version of yourself.

Keep taking the next step:

We can often turn the challenges we face into mountains in our heads. Resilient people don’t see failure as fatal, but rather as part of the process to continuous learning. Taking small steps towards solving problems, instead of ignoring them and hoping they will go away, will eventually lead to their resolution.

Run your own race:

it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that everyone else has it better than you. Comparing your situation to someone else’s is futile because you have no way of knowing what someone else has been through just by what they wear and where they grew up. You are responsible for your own path. Be the hero of your own story.