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To succeed in the face of adversity, we must unstick from the belief that there is only difficulty in every opportunity, and instead remind ourselves that there is also incredible opportunity in every difficulty. Indeed, personal growth and resilience can be cultivated in no way other than through persistence, patience, mental flexibility, self-compassion, and learning under challenging conditions and circumstances.
In practice, cultivating resilience involves first telling ourselves – particularly during life’s darkest moments, when we are feeling or thinking the worst – that everything is positioned perfectly for us to grow. Next, cultivating resilience involves learning and then employing repeatedly the physical and mental skills (e.g., mindfulness, relaxation, adaptive thoughts) that allow us to stay regulated in the present moment so we can perform successfully under pressure.
When we are able to perform under pressure in this way, we develop a strong sense of self-efficacy, which is the belief that we can accomplish a specific goal given our current set of skills and abilities. When we have a strong sense of self-efficacy, we, in turn, approach life’s uncertainty and challenges with openness and confidence instead of anxiety and fear.
When we approach life with openness and confidence instead of anxiety and fear, we are maximally effective and truly alive.
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“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” – Bruce Lee
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“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan
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“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” – Mark Twain
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Visualize
Focus
Execute
Evaluate
Repeat
Racing for Change 