She Strengthens

Embracing Change: Building Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Life is a journey of ups and downs, twists and turns, and moments of testing. As the old adage goes, the only constant is change. In this mindset reset, we’re going to explore how to cultivate resilience in our daily lives.

The Power of Resilience

Gabrielle from Dallas, Texas, recently shared her inspiring story of transformation. After practicing healing and growth techniques, she noticed a significant shift in her mindset from negative to positive, and her relationships improved dramatically. However, she still struggles with bouncing back when faced with criticism, unexpected setbacks, or sudden changes. Her question sparked an important conversation: Can we develop resilience, or is it an innate trait?

Debunking the Myth

The answer is a resounding no. Resilience is not a fixed trait; it’s a behavior that can be learned and developed. While some people may be more resilient than others, it’s not because they’re born with it – it’s because they’ve cultivated it through their thoughts, actions, and experiences.

The 4 S’s of Resilience

One effective way to build resilience is by employing the 4 S’s: Support, Strategies, Sagacity, and Solution-seeking. This exercise, developed by Dr. Lucinda Pool and Dr. Hugo Alberts, has proven successful in helping individuals overcome challenges.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Resilience

1. Recall a Recent Example of Resilience: Reflect on a time when you overcame a significant obstacle. Write down your feelings, reactions, and needs during that experience.
2. Identify Supportive People: List the individuals who keep you moving forward and provide emotional support.
3. Strategies for Coping: Identify the behaviors and actions you took to cope with the challenging situation.
4. Sagacity: Wisdom and Insight: Reflect on the wisdom and insights you’ve gained from experiences, books, quotes, or conversations.
5. Solution-Seeking Behaviors: Identify the problem-solving strategies you employed to overcome the challenge.
6. Current Challenge: Write down the challenge you’re currently facing.
7. Create a Resilience Plan: Combine the strengths and strategies from the previous steps to create a plan that supports, strategizes, and seeks solutions.

Putting Your Plan into Action

By following these steps, you’ll:

• Build a robust social support network
• Avoid viewing crises as insurmountable tasks
• Take decisive action in the face of challenges
• Keep things in perspective
• Look for opportunities instead of disappointments
• Take better care of yourself

Remember, Resilience is a Behavior

It’s not an innate trait; it’s a behavior that requires practice to become a habit. By building a resilience plan, you’ll elevate and reset your mindset, empowering you to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence.

Take the First Step

I challenge you to create a resilience plan today! Share your experiences, and let’s continue the conversation.