We’ve all had “those days,” haven’t we?  We’re working towards a challenging goal.  And whether we’re working on growing our business, building our skills to take our careers to the next level, or trying to improve our health through diet or exercise, life often gets in the way, or the goal is difficult. After time we find it easy to say, “the heck with it--I give up.” 

The challenge is that we don’t realize how close we are.  In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear talks about getting better by 1 percent every day.  If you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done. 

But we don’t see that 37 percent change quickly, do we?  We may not see changes at all, so we get frustrated and give up.  I was getting close to giving up on my business recently. 

I ran across Clear’s book on my shelf while looking for something else and was immediately reminded of this 1 percent rule.  It reminded me how important it is to be resilient and bounce back in the face of setbacks. 

Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from difficult situations and recover from setbacks, failures, and adversity. It is a critical personal characteristic that can significantly impact one's overall well-being, success, and happiness.

There are degrees of resiliency and degrees of difficult situations.  I’m so proud of people who show resiliency in the face of adversity in unbelievable situations, and I wonder how they do it.  I’m talking about being able to bounce back from a setback such as a layoff or a breakup.  How do we bounce back when our plans to improve our health, quit drinking, get a promotion, or build a business go sideways?

To understand the how we need to understand the why.

Here are some of the reasons why resiliency is essential:

Coping with stress and adversity: Resiliency helps individuals handle stress and adversity healthily and effectively. When faced with challenges, resilient individuals are better equipped to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors and find ways to overcome the obstacles in their path.

Mental and emotional well-being: Resilient individuals tend to have higher levels of mental and emotional well-being, as they are better able to cope with stress, deal with disappointment and loss, and maintain a positive outlook.

Career success: Resilient individuals can better overcome career challenges, such as job loss, rejection, or failure. They can adapt to change, learn from setbacks, and pursue their goals and ambitions.

Strong relationships: Resilience is crucial for building and maintaining solid relationships, as it helps individuals handle conflicts, communicate effectively, and maintain a positive attitude even under challenging circumstances.

Personal growth: Resilience allows individuals to learn and grow from their experiences, including their failures and setbacks. By viewing challenges as opportunities for development and improvement, resilient individuals are better able to develop their skills and reach their full potential.

Overall, resiliency is a valuable personal characteristic that can significantly enhance one's quality of life, relationships, and success.

Becoming more resilient is a process that involves developing the mental and emotional strength to cope with difficult situations, challenges, and adversity.

Here are some strategies that can help you become more resilient:

Practice self-care: Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being can help you build resilience and cope with stress. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.

Build a support system: Surrounding yourself with supportive friends, family, and colleagues can provide you with a safety net during challenging times. Consider reaching out to someone you trust for help and support when needed.

Develop a positive mindset: Try to focus on the positive aspects of a situation, even when it is difficult. Cultivate gratitude, practice optimism, and find meaning and purpose in life.

Embrace change and uncertainty: Resilient people are often able to adapt to change and uncertainty and view challenge as opportunities for growth and development. Try to be flexible and open to new experiences.

Learn from setbacks and failures: Resilient people view setbacks and failures as opportunities for learning and growth. Try to reframe failure as a valuable experience that can help you grow and become stronger.

Take care of your relationships: Strong relationships with others can provide comfort and support during difficult times. Cultivate healthy and supportive relationships, and make time for the people who matter most to you.

Remember that building resilience takes time and practice. Keep in mind that it is normal to experience setbacks and failures along the way and that the important thing is to keep persevering and learning from your experience.