How to Grow From Embracing Adversity

⛈️ Stress and adversity ⛈️ To quote Bob Marley, '𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆.' For most of us, periods of pressure occur periodically and (hopefully) pass relatively quickly. But what if we're faced with long-term unavoidable challenges? This is the situation I find myself in due to a loved one's health struggles and the resulting consequences. Now that the crisis has passed and I am looking toward the future, I find myself leaning on a core value - learning. I'd like to see this situation as one I can learn from. Although this has been difficult, it seems healthier than staying in a constant 'oh s*it' 😶 frame of mind. Here are a few of my learnings so far. 𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 - Working to overcome adversity begins before it happens. Developing a positive growth mindset and mindfulness habits creates rituals you can rely on without expending undue energy when you need them. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 - Moving forward when distress is a constant backdrop requires both courage and wisdom. These take time to develop, especially when our ability to think and remember things (impaired memory is a byproduct of significant stress) has been impaired. I have found that focusing only on the next step and asking, 'What is the most helpful thing I can do now?' is a way through the turmoil. It has helped me focus on the areas where I do have some choice and power. 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 - Things can feel out of control during tough times. Establishing and staying with a routine can help you feel a sense of order and focus. However, we also need time to breathe and just 'be' without a set agenda. Having downtime allows us to reflect and heal. 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 - Focusing on negative feelings like, 'I can't cope with this' or 'I just did a horrible job on that report' only adds to your stress. Lately, my mantra has been various versions of: 'I will find a way through this. I am doing the best I can. It's ok that it wasn't perfect. I will be ok.' Self-compassion and forgiveness can be a powerful gift. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 - My typical response in difficult times has always been to go inward, to shoulder through stressful times alone. This response has not been helpful or healthy. Even if we can't remove ourselves from the stressor, we can be comforted by the knowledge that people around us care. The empathetic people around me have been lifesavers. And, of course, 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀 - movement, sleep, and nutrition sound like pat answers but they help you stay grounded in the midst of the storm. Adversity happens to everyone, but it doesn't need to derail our lives or our careers. I hope this post finds you and your loved ones well. #resilience #overcomingadversity #selfcompassion #januscoaching

Over the past three years, navigating a challenging journey marked by a rigorous foot surgery became a defining chapter. Skiing, once a source of immense joy, seemed distant amid uncertainties surrounding my ability to carve through the snow again. However, from this adversity emerged a profound exploration of resilience, yielding insights on how to fortify oneself following setbacks. 1. Adapting to Change: Confronting the dual challenges of physical recovery and psychological hurdles demanded a strategic approach to adaptability. Acceptance of change played a pivotal role in navigating through the complexities. 2. Strategic Goal-Setting: Rather than fixating on overarching objectives, a meticulous approach to setting realistic and strategic goals facilitated incremental progress. Each achievement contributed significantly to the overall recovery process. 3. Leveraging Support Networks: Recognizing the importance of a robust support system, comprising friends, family, and professional guidance, proved indispensable. Collaborative efforts significantly augmented the resilience required during the healing journey. 4. Exercising Patience: Embracing the reality of a non-linear recovery process necessitated the cultivation of patience. Understanding that setbacks are inherent to progress fostered a measured and sustainable approach. 5. Rediscovery of Passion: Beyond physical rehabilitation, a deliberate effort to rediscover and reignite the passion for skiing played a transformative role. Reconnecting with intrinsic motivation became a catalyst for enduring resilience. Today, as I navigate the slopes once again, this journey stands as a testament to the potential for strength and growth embedded in resilience. Life’s challenges offer a profound canvas for personal development, and every fall becomes a stepping stone to ascend greater heights. 🏔️💪 #resiliencejourney #OvercomingAdversity #PersonalDevelopment”

If you're comfortable, you're not growing. Most people spend their lives avoiding discomfort, but the truth is, discomfort is the price of growth. Research shows that those who regularly embrace discomfort are more likely to achieve their goals and develop resilience. But how do you actually make discomfort a growth habit? You institutionalize it. Here’s how: 1) Schedule Weekly Discomfort Challenges: Set aside time each week for activities that push your boundaries—public speaking, initiating tough conversations, trying a new skill, or asking for feedback. 2) Reframe Discomfort as Progress: Instead of avoiding discomfort, recognize it as a signal of growth. The toughest moments are often the ones that transform you towards being more impactful. 3) Track and Reflect: Document your uncomfortable experiences and the lessons learned. Over time, you’ll see just how far you’ve come. I've seen it firsthand. Leaders who embrace discomfort become more resilient. Teams that take on challenges become more creative. Businesses that experiment grow faster. Ready to test this out? Pick one thing you've been avoiding and commit to doing it this week. Share it in the comments if you want me to help keep you accountable. If this resonates, consider sharing it. Someone in your network might need this push today. Remember: Comfort is the enemy of greatness. #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpathIQFramework #ProfessionalDevelopment

Daily exercise and a good nights sleep ward away all types of physical ailments. It builds your immune system, strengthens your muscles, creates new gateways in your brain, provides energy stores to your cells and many other benefits. These habits help you build resilience in your body. But how do you build resilience in your mind? You need to have a strong daily regiment to build your personal resilience. And in todays rapid change environment, personal resilience is more important than ever. We need to build our mental resilience to avoid getting overwhelmed by the constant barrage of change we experience everyday. In the PWC “Hopes and Fears Survey 2024” nearly two-thirds of employees say they’ve experienced more change at work in the last year than in the 12 months prior, and one-third of workers say they’ve experienced four or more significant changes at work in the last year, including to their team structures and daily job responsibilities. One of my mentees shared with me that they have had 4 managers in the last 12 months. Another shared that 50% of their team was laid off and the workload feels untenable. And a third reported that the charter of their team was changed without notice which has upended every project they were working on. While there is certainly a role that leaders, managers and organizations have in managing change better and in resourcing their teams effectively, there is also a burden that we each have to manage our own mental resiliency to lean into the change and learn through it. I believe that every change presents itself with an opportunity for growth and to build your own effectiveness. But it means we need to learn and then practice the skills to build that resiliency with the discipline necessary to apply it. Some practices like: 1. Practicing being present and not letting your mind dwell on past or future problems – but staying focused on one step at a time as you tackle the challenges and opportunities at hand. 2. Daily prioritization of what is critical, relevant and impactful and setting aside tasks that are not 3. Communicating with leaders, managers and peers about what change is happening and working to make sense of that change in your own mind – building out perspective and making meaning 4. Leaning on others for support to help you through the change and recognizing when you are feeling overwhelmed 5. Building strategies to help yourself when you get to the point of feeling overwhelmed – breathing exercises, meditation, taking walks, writing things down, stepping away are some of the mechanisms I have used to calm myself when I feel overwhelmed. Finding what works for you What are some practices and habits that you have found that have helped you build out your personal resiliency? #reslience #changemanagement #leadership #allies https://lnkd.in/gzRk2qey