The Importance of Resilience
No one knows the importance of resilience better than an experienced recruiter. Each step of the process is an impenetrable fortress along the road to an offer. From the initial introductory call to the communication of an offer, a lot can go wrong; and often much of it is outside of the recruiter’s control. Yet, what distinguishes the great from the good is the ability to remain resilient and determined throughout the process, notwithstanding the difficulties of not always being in control of one’s own failure. This has been the greatest lesson so far at Skillfinder, and one that my colleagues sought quickly to highlight.
It is, of course, hardly recruiters alone who are summoned to such development. Resilience is perhaps one of the most important characteristics a person can possess. For in this world, an awful lot goes against us or cannot be stopped or changed despite how determined we are to avoid it. And so, learning how we can build our armour to withstand against the difficulties we face cannot be underestimated.
Definition
According to the American Psychological Association, “resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioural flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
This shouldn’t seem too complicated to us as it is often an instinctive sense. Life throws up many complications, and whether they be big or small, resilience is often the answer. It could be that your deal has just fallen through due to unforeseen circumstances or that you did not get the promotion you so desperately wanted or perhaps even deserved. Yet is the right answer to give up? No! For that’s too easy. The greatest strength flows from one’s telling oneself, ‘I’m going to make it right’ or ‘next time I’ll make it so that they cannot deny it to me.
Tips
That said, it’s not often that we’re instructed on how we can build resilience so that it becomes one of our greatest strengths. There are five useful points from the Bounce Back Project that we should consider when we ask ourselves: how is it that I may become more resilient than yesterday?
1) Self-awareness - having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions.
2) Mindfulness - a state of active, open attention on the present. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.
3) Self-care - something unique for each person and can be understood in many ways. In its simplest form, the term refers to our ability as human beings to function effectively in the world while meeting the multiple challenges of daily life with a sense of energy, vitality, and confidence.
4) Positive relationships - the people who support and care for us. One of the most profound experiences we can have in our lives is the connection we have with other human beings. By building positive relationships with others, we will be happier and more fulfilled and feel more supported, supportive, and connected.
5) Purpose - the recognition that we belong to and serve something bigger than ourselves. Our purpose helps to shape the mindset and attitude we have toward others and the events we experience.
Conclusion
To develop resilience is to give yourself an advantage. It allows you to tackle problems with composure and strength, setting up strong foundations from which future success and growth are inevitable. To find and stick to a purpose, despite difficulties and obstacles, will ensure self-development and improvement in the long run.