5 Steps to Develop Resiliency

There are many different skills that develop overtime to make you successful in your professional and personal life. Being resilient is one of the most important skills to develop. Being an African-American male in a predominantly white and conservative environment has created a lot of obstacles that were in my way from the beginning, and as I continue to get closer to reaching my ultimate goals those obstacles become more complex and difficult to overcome. So being resilient is an important factor in getting to were I am today, and where I want to be in the future.  

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines resilience as "the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress". On their website they shared great ways on how to build resiliency. This post will review some of those ways to develop resiliency within oneself.

Make connections. It's important to have the close network of friends and family you can depend on to support and care about you. It's also vital for these people to listen to you too; which will help develop and fortify resilience. People have shared that when actively engaged in social groups they develop this sense of hope being restored.

Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems. Stressful events are going to occur, but you have the ability to change how you comprehend and react to them. Look into the future to see how things can be better versus dwelling on the present. Recognize any signs that you are feeling better while going through these difficult times.

Move toward your goals. Create goals that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive). Do something small everyday to move you closer to achieving your goal. Do not concentrate on tasks that appear impossible; rather focus on your goals and celebrate the small wins in life along the way.

Take decisive actions. Take on tasks that seem to be detrimental. Act critically, instead of removing yourself from the issues and trying to wish them away. When I graduated from undergrad I did not have a job lined up. I went on numerous interviews, but was unsuccessful in getting the job. I wanted to shut down and throw in the towel. Instead I decided to think of other avenues I could pursue. I decided to go back to graduate school for my MBA, and was accepted that Fall. So it's important to take action to face your challenges, and not to avoid them.

Look for opportunities for self-discovery. When going through struggles in life people often discover that they have matured as a result of their experience. Individuals who have gone through trials and tribulations have shared that their experience has increased their self-confidence, create better relationships, and enhance their gratitude for life.

These are just a few of the things that the APA recommends to build resiliency. Check out the link below for additional information.

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx

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