Dr. Andy Garrett

While each of these steps undeniably contributes to your ability to maintain - or - reclaim your confidence - when experiencing a setback or struggle - and move forward in a resilient manner - I find this step to be particularly critical - as it requires for you to anchor your response to what makes you confident and resilient. This is where having actionable self-awareness comes into play - knowing what character strengths you have developed (through adversity) that empower you to positively adapt and move forward with confidence in the face of challenges. It also requires the ability to move forward with authenticity (this is where we tap into our deepest convictions - and where our confidence becomes unbreakable!).

We know that there are tremendous benefits to receiving support when you are stressed! For instance - many people choose to isolate themselves when they are stressed - believing that they need to figure things out on their own. Unfortunately - research shows that doing this is bad for heart health - as stress in isolation tends to cause our hearts blood vessels to constrict - which is bad for heart health. Whereas having someone support you in times of stress causes oxytocin to be released - which dilates blood vessels - thereby creating cardiovascular benefits (transforming the cardiovascular impact of stress!). Additionally - when we go through hard times with support - it increases hope - and we are more inclined to persevere!

While I am definitely a fan of being strategic - crafting a resilience strategy requires unique insight into the nature of resilience - and a good degree of self-awareness to make sure that your resilience strategy is authentic to who you are (trying to apply a strategy that is lacking authentic self-awareness - is similar to choosing a dart throwing strategy with a blindfold on!!). With my clients - we start by establishing an understanding of who they authentically are (anchoring authenticity to core values, character strengths, purpose, etc.) - and then we implement proven resilience strategies that utilize and reinforce their authenticity (this produces a fully optimized resilience strategy that far outperforms a non-specific strategy)

One of my favorite exercises to lead teams through in our True North Radical Resilience programs - can completely transform how you think about setbacks (where you take the power back - and give it purpose!). This process involves: 1. Acknowledging the setback - and accepting that while you probably wouldn’t choose to go through this - you can choose to grow through it! 2. Directing your focus to what you can control - you now get to establish a specific pathway for getting better, stronger, and/or wiser (what lesson can you learn, what character strength can you develop, etc.). 3. Then focus on how you can you use your growth to better serve others. This formula is empowering, specific, and meaningful (so powerful to do with teams!!).