Building Resilience, Adaptability and Persistence

I first heard this term "Building Resilience" in Jan of 2023 as part of our organization brand update. However, little did I know the power of these words and how to embody that in real life. I would like to state that failure is a necessary thing that everyone faces but what all of need to learn is how to handle that setback (both emotionally and physically). "Resilience" is all about developing the muscles to quickly jump back and take desired actions. A more polished version from dictionary states, "Resilience is the capacity of a person to maintain their core purpose and integrity in the face of dramatically changed circumstances. The ability to not only overcome setbacks but to also move forward".

Recall a time when your mindset and emotions were worst. What were the feelings and how did your body respond? 

- Body just freezes, do not feel like doing anything. 

- Feel like sleeping but do not get sleep

- Wake up early even though going to bed late

- Feel like eating more, even though not quite hungry

- Take in sugary foods (chocolates) and fries

- Even trying to read a book, or write something is like a chore,

- Feel like binge watching on Television

- Restless and inability to focus

Well the good news is that you are not alone. 65% of people working in high stress work environments has the likelihood of developing depression, anxiety due to long work hours, job insecurity, limited control, peer conflict, and low social support. Unhealthy and difficult work environments can lead to negative physical and mental health outcomes. It is in those trying times, when one needs to learn the art of resilience - when your internal voice says that you're too vulnerable and weak but you know better "Tough times never last but tough people do". Resilience is a foundational psychological tool hidden in all us and we do not know it exist till we are pushed against a wall. Being adaptive to those changing circumstances, being tenacious and persistent in the face of uncertainty and ability to quickly recover from a setback is what distinguishes a resilient person (who thrives and flourishes) from another.

Few years back, the division we were working very successfully was reorganized and our team was divided into 3 different teams and further subdivided in smaller factions. It was very frustrating to see our team members broken up and while some of us continued to work together (our managers changed, the units were different) and I felt heartbroken and lost. Some very close colleagues ended up leaving the organization. I took this opportunity to build visibility for the work we were doing as a team and showcasing the value. Merging with another team helped me to learn and collaborate more in unimaginable ways. This led to new friendships at work, getting better perspectives and most importantly I learnt how to protect my heart through better work/life balance, focusing on wellness and spiritual routines. On an everyday basis I gained new tools that kept me on purpose and determination to move forward to my true north compass.

In that same time period, we had 6 manager changes in 6 month's time. With every manager, one had to keep proving oneself. I learned that each new manager comes new opportunity to gain feedback and perspectives about me. I also learned the art of quickly establishing trust with new manager(s) by focusing on work product, sharing feedback and open communication. While initially it was bit overwhelming and devastating, I learnt to acknowledge my emotions, listen to them and create an action plan that helps shift from negativity to positivity. My new bosses taught me amazing things on empathy, networking, quick decision making and how they handle difficult conversations with positivity, confidence and smile. I learned to shift my thinking from something "is being done to me" to "something is changing that I can influence" and in doing so find opportunities to grow and shine. I also mastered new ways of thinking and new ways to getting things done. I was able to make bigger impacts by bringing new creative ways to solve problems, create artifacts and standardized templates, optimized processes to get things done better and faster. 

Why Resilience is important at workplace?

• Improve self-esteem : Better self-esteem helps people handle challenges with confidence and positivity
• Reframing : Reframing challenges as lessons with opportunities to build new skills and grow
• Conflict resolution : Resilience fosters an environment that encourages open-minded dialogue to move past conflicts with coworkers
• Collaboration : Resilience teaches people to develop new workplace relationships, lean on their colleagues for support 
• Support Innovation : Resilient employees feel more comfortable with failure, taking well-informed risks to try new things, sharing new ideas and leading projects.    

 How to build resilience?

1. Accept and let go: Accept what happened and let go of negative internal voice, observe thoughts and release them through daily meditation practice. Sometimes we get into victimhood and difficult to accept why this thing happened to us. 
2. Forgiveness : Remove self-doubt, regrets and mistakes you've made and forgive yourself for anything that you said or did. Forgive anyone who was involved and everything was circumstantial. Everything that happened was for the Universe to teach you new ways to doing and becoming.
3. Get mentors and friends : Seek out mentors who are willing to listen and offer different perspectives. Connecting with a colleague on a regular basis and sharing knowledge and working on goals together can help one bounce back from bad experiences.
4. Get healthy : Go to a gym and workout. It is very motivating to see other people sweating it out and keeping a fitness routine. Eat healthy, go for regular nature walks, sleep on-time and ensure your mood is upbeat and you inculcate healthy habits.
5. Practice gratitude : Identify 2-3 things that happened positive in a day and before sleep journal or thank the universe for those positive developments. This prevents one to get into negative emotional spiral and fixation on the past and move forward with positive energy.
6. Be goal-oriented :  Breaking down big goals into small doable chunks and celebrating small wins helps keep the momentum of the present moment and future (what you hope to accomplish). Develop a new hobby - playing a new instrument, learn singing, dancing can help with overcoming negative stress emotions.
7. Define life purpose : What matters most to you? Why were you put on this earth? What can you offer the world that no one else can ? When you think about yourself with a special purpose, you can rise above temporary petty problems. You will have the strength, desire and motivation to overcome all obstacles to reach your true north star.  

One can take inspiration from top athletes, sportspersons and Olympians who might have won big sometime, went down and again came back to winning. Being resilient, adaptable and persistent is a mindset shift that helps one become better leader who moves with clarity and confidence, a warrior who moves with purpose and determination, a connector who influences for bigger impact and a believer who trusts the process and takes every opportunity to learn and focus harder.