I wrote this before the pandemic… but as I look at this through my COVID 19 filter, it all still applies, so here are some tips for helping get more resilient or to maintain our resilience.

Resiliency is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.  Resilient people do not wallow or dwell on failures (or things that they cannot control), they size up situations and learn from it, then move forward, with speed purpose and determination. 

Below are the key skills to support resiliency.

• Being / getting connected to others for support
• Showing flexibility in unknown circumstances, bending so you do not break
• The ability to make realistic plan and take action to move forward
• Good communication skills
• Good problem- solving skills – gut is good at times, but real problem- solving leads to more successful outcomes
• Ability to manage STRONG emotions – yes, it is crazy, but keeping it “together” will generally improve or at least keep a situation neutral vs managing strong emotions and outbursts which generally lead to out of control outcomes.  Let’s keep it between the rub strips and out of the ditch!
• Find a purpose and meaning in what is going on, easier said than done, but it really does matter, really helps shape our mood, actions and ultimately outcomes.
• Ability to see the big picture vs. our own little corner of the word and acting out myopically which might potentially impact someone/something negatively
• Self-care and care of others

Undoubtably, this experience we are having right now will impact us for the rest of our lives.  I believe you’ve heard the term, “hindsight is 20/20”.  If we pause and reflect back as if we were talking about this in hindsight, we’d all know which way that we’d have liked to act, which were the important issues to focus on and we’d have a great shot at our extraordinary destiny. 

“On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it.  Raise your sail and begin.”  Gregory S Williams.

Thank you, chin up, be safe, be kind and behave, let us all follow those guidelines to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Martha Clarke has over 30 years of leadership experience with a track record of exceptional results in all areas of operational leadership. She helps her clients focus, deconstruct complex situations, and create game plans for organizations. For more information, go to her website at www.fremontconsultinggroup.com