The Eight Foundations of Resilience – Growing Through Tribulations
By Michael J Griffin
4 minute read
Psychologists at the American Psychological Association define “resilience" as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. As much as resilience involves ‘bouncing back’ from these difficult experiences, it can also involve profound personal growth.”
Resilience does not mean you will be free of circumstances, relationships and externals that cause pain, trauma, stress and failure. It does mean while “you are in it” you grow and learn “through it.” Resilience always leaves you and your life outlook better not bitter.
My life has had plenty of trauma and adversity over the past +60 years. My resilience is built on developing these “8 Foundations of Resilience” that make you better and stronger through your adversity and failure. Here they are:
Be Grateful. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Anonymous. “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow,” Says Melody Beattie. Wake up every morning with gratitude for the life you have and be thankful every evening for what happened before you sleep.
Be Humble. “If humility does not precede all that we do, our efforts are fruitless,” says Augustine the Scholar. “There are two key parts of humility. The first part is more internal and involves an accurate view of the self, including awareness and acknowledgment of one’s limitations. The second part is more interpersonal and involves being other-oriented rather than self-focused.” Dr. Joshua Hook. Be aware that humility is needed to learn and grow through adversity – humility is always a journey not a destination.
Listen well. “You can never learn & listen less; you can only learn more by listening. The reason I know so much is because I have made so many mistakes,” adapted from Buckminster Fuller. Many of us crush our ability to listen when stressed. Learn to listen and learn in adversity.
Be Aware. “Awareness is the greatest agent for change,” says Eckhart Tolle. “As my awareness increases, my control over my own being increases,” insight from William Schutz. Be aware daily of your emotional state, your perceptions, and the environment and relationships around you. Adjust your “sails” as you go through the day.
Be Teachable. ”Experience only teaches the teachable. Adolphus Huxley. “What I believe is that all clear-minded people should remain two things throughout their lifetimes: Curious and teachable,” says Roger Ebert. Being teachable saves you a lot of mistakes, pain and grief. I know from experience.
Have Compassion. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle,” said Plato. “The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive,” by John Green. “More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate,” chimes Roy T Bennett. Show and express more empathy with those who are hurting, those in pain. Learn to forgive and live.
Be Purposeful. “No more excuses. No more self-sabotage. No more self-pity. No more comparing yourself to others. Time to step up. Take action right now and start living your life with purpose,” says Anthon St. Maarten. Find your passion, your meaning for your life and live it!
Be Disciplined. “Discipline and diligence are up there on the list, but one of the most important qualities of many really successful people is humility. If you have a degree of humility about you, you have the ability to take advice, to be coachable, teachable. A humble person never stops learning,” says Todd Blackledge. Where do you need to be more humble and disciplined to grow every day? What daily habits do you need to instil and cement in your life to grow in resilience?
I hope you found these eight foundations for resilience insightful. Do your own research and learn how developing them in your life will make your daily walk more peaceful and meaningful.
Have a Great Week and ELAvate your resilience!
Michael J Griffin
Founder ELAvate
6E Master Coach
John Maxwell Team Founder