Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Dictionary.com defines it as springing back; rebounding; returning to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched; recovering readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyant.

Rubberband heart by Jen

I imagine resiliency to be like a rubber band. It can stretch and stretch and when you let it go, it returns back into its original form. The difference is, is that even though we cannot see it, the rubber is a little bit different. Its form is slightly different because of the stretching. So, even though it looks exactly the same, it is changed. Forever.

And so it is with us as humans. The central process in building resilience is for us to develop coping skills. These skills can be outwardly focused on the problem (problem-solving), inwardly focused on emotions (emotion-focused) or socially focused, such as emotional support from others.

Resilient individuals are more inclined to see problems as opportunities for growth. Resilient individuals seem not only to cope well with strains and stressors but actually to experience such challenges as learning and development opportunities.

"Man never made any material as resilient as the human spirit."

~Bern Williams

James Neill defines the characteristics of resilient people as:

• Ability to "bounce back" and "recover from almost anything"
• Have a "where there's a will, there's a way" attitude
• Tendency to see problems as opportunities
• Ability to "hang tough" which things are difficult
• Capacity for seeing small windows of opportunity and making the most of them
• Have deep-rooted faith in a system of meaning
• Have a healthy social support network
• Has the wherewithal to competently handle most different kinds of situations
• Has a wide comfort zone
• Able to recover from experiences in the panic zone or of a traumatic nature

Rubberband ball by ash

Here are some questions to ask yourself to strengthen your resiliency:

• What does resiliency mean to you?
• Who do you know that has demonstrated resilience? This may be a family member, a friend, or a public figure. It often helps to look at others who have been resilient.
• What other times in your life have you demonstrated resilience? When we think of these times, it brings us strength to know "If I made it through that...I can make it through this."
• What is the lesson that is being presented to me right now? Although we cannot see the why of what is happening, hindsight will help us get clarity.

"When you can't see straight ahead, it's because you're about to turn a corner."

~ Myrtle Reed

Step into leading and play a Bigger Game in your life...don't wait...model leadership...the World needs us to do this.

Lead strong!

Pat

Resiliency: Dynamic Quality

Stone Beach after rainfall by Hogne During tough times, it is important to remember that resiliency is a dynamic quality. Resilient individuals demonstrate an ability to step back and demonstrate self-renewal through adversity. The following excerpt by John Dewey (1859-1952), the renowned 20th century American educational philosopher, describes a sense of continuance through self-renewal. "A stone when struck resists. If its resistance is greater than the force of the blow struck, it remains outwardly unchanged. Otherwise, it is shattered. While the living thing may easily be crushed by a superior force, it none the less tries to turn the energies which act upon it into means of its own further existences... It is the very nature of life to strive to continue in being. Since this continuance can be secured only by constant renewals, life is a self-renewing process."

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• Take a resiliency quiz created by Al Siebert
• Just for Fun: Literally. Can fun inspire people to do more? Check out the three videos.
• "I think success is determined by how many other people you make successful." Inspiring story about NBA All Star Alonzo Mourning.

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"I have worked with other coaches and now only turn to Pat to help me sort through my business and sometimes personal issues. Her "laser" coaching fits me perfectly. Pat gives me pre-work on my topic and then we meet for a couple of hours. She helps clarify the issues and create structured solutions that I use right away. Our meetings are focused, productive, fun and, at the same time seem effortless. These are a true indications of her skill. Pat recently helped me organize and plan the content for my television program interview."

~Denise Michaud,
Long Term Care Expert

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