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3 Quick Mental Shifts For Resilience

Recently I have been noticing a theme in several conversations I’ve had with managers who are looking to support their teams in their wellbeing and to continue to be resilient.

The theme that keeps coming up is the word “grit”, as though it’s another way of saying “We still need to be resilient, we just don’t want to use that word anymore”.

Early in the pandemic, resilience was the first buzzword that showed up everywhere, but now it doesn’t have the same appeal.

It’s been so long that we now want something new and perhaps different to focus on, but the truth is that being resilient isn’t a one-time thing.

Being resilient is something you will need to do always, forever.

As I reflected on my experiences learning how to walk again, overcoming the loss of my father by suicide, and experiencing a major life and career transition when I was done playing with Team Canada, I remembered there were specific mantras that helped me shift my mindset to get through those difficult times.

To help you do the same, here are three quick mindset shifts to help you continue to be resilient.

“You Are Stronger Than You Think”

Right now, you might be feeling like you don’t have what it takes to get through another day.

I can remember feeling that way at times, but I also remember thinking to myself that each day I got through, I became just a little bit stronger than I was the day before and that I was stronger than I thought.

Adversity challenges us to rise to the occasion, however not every day we are going to be at our best and that’s ok. What’s most important is that you keep showing up and put your best foot forward.

Being resilient doesn’t mean that every day you will be at 100%. It does mean, however, that every day you show up.

Think back to the start of the pandemic. At some point you may have thought you didn’t have what it takes to make it this far, and here you are. You are already further ahead than you thought you could be.

When you take action and show up every day, that alone in itself helps you realize that you are stronger than you think.

When you take action and show up every day, that alone in itself helps you realize that you are stronger than you think. Share on X

“Something Good is Coming”

This is very timely since we are almost at the two-year mark of the pandemic.

When I was initially paralyzed, I did not know that the Paralympics existed. The only Paralympic sport I knew about was wheelchair racing.

It wasn’t until two years after my injury when I was volunteering at a wheelchair basketball program that someone came up to me and asked, “Have you ever tried sledge hockey before?”.

From that one moment, my entire life changed.

Had I given up earlier in those two years, I don’t know if or when I would have ever found the next path and life in my career. I was always trying new things, continuing to push forward, taking things .1 step at a time.

When you feel worn down and discouraged that “this will never end”, keep reminding yourself that “something good is coming”, you just can’t see it yet.

When you feel worn down and discouraged that “this will never end”, keep reminding yourself that “something good is coming”, you just can’t see it yet. Share on X

“It’s Not Over Yet, Keep Going”

After my dad took his life in 2007, there was a period of time where I felt like doing the same thing.

I write about it in my book, Still Standing: When You Have Every Reason to Give Up, Keep Going, how when I was at that very low place in my life, that I would think to myself “I don’t want that to be the ending to my story, and that the final chapter has not been written yet.”.

I just kept thinking to myself “It’s not over yet, keep going!”, and sometimes that’s all I could say to myself that gave me hope.

When you feel like we can’t go on any farther, you can.

When you feel like we have no gas left in the tank, you have more left.

When you feel like calling it quits, take one more step.

What do you say to yourself that gives you hope?

If you are ready to call it quits, remember “It’s not over yet. Keep going”.

If you are ready to call it quits, remember “It’s not over yet. Keep going”. Share on X

In Conclusion

It may not be exciting to think in such simple terms, however, these days we need simplicity.

We need something that is practical and easy for us to grab onto. There’s little room for more complicated strategies when many people are still trying to get by day by day, or week by week.

The Hero Mindset is about reinforcing the importance of how small things make a big difference and how we can become a hero in our own movie.

As you go forward today, ask yourself “What can I focus on that will help keep me going?”.

Enjoyed this article? Here are three more to help you succeed:

How to Manage Change Effectively

How to be Patient Managing Change

How to Stay Positive During The Winter

Whenever you are ready here are the 3 best ways I can help you:

  1. Get a FREE copy of my autobiography (click here)
  2. Looking for a speaker for your next event? (Contact Kevin)
  3. Learn more about The Resilience Toolbox Workshop (click here)

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