Resilience is commonly defined as an ability to recover from setbacks. If you are resilient you can bounce back from difficulty. You will have noticed the TV adverts saying that if we can’t swim enough to keep ourselves on the surface,we are like babies in the water. Resilience is like this too. We need to consciously acquire the skills to bounce back up to the surface of life?
Resilience is not invulnerability; not perfection and not isolation from all risk. Resilient people are successful because they push their limits and learn from their mistakes.
So how do we build resilience or bounce back? Some of the key ingredients are:
- Confidence: the solid belief in one’s own ability – backing yourself. It is linked with our real experience telling us: ‘I know I can do this’
- Commitment: A sense of connection and contribution to a wider community. Having closer ties and a role to play with family, friends, local community and work gives us a more solid sense of security.
- Coping mechanisms: People who learn to cope effectively with stress and difficult situations are better prepared to overcome life’s challenges. .
- Control: Remembering we have a choice in how we response to different situations.
We are all born with a certain level of resilience. This is either strengthened or impeded by our environment, life experiences and the choices we make. Food for thought, for those of us who are parents.
Refer also to article in the NZ Herald on Wednesday, December 10, 2008. “Tips to transform bolshie teens into workplace stars”. An article written by Diana Clement, on preparing your children for the workplace.