Improving Our Resiliency: Lessons from the Greats

Resiliency is strengthened in how we handle our hardships. In the midst of a challenge, whether in your mental health, relationships, career, parenting, etc., stop to ask yourself these transformative questions in order to allow a shifting of your mindset.

Once you have allowed yourself space to process, grieve, & validate your emotions around this hardship, focus on how you can grow from the experience. Who better to teach us about resiliency than the GOAT(s). Here are a few powerful tips for improving resiliency from Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Brene Brown.

❖ What is this here to teach me? “Whenever faced with a difficult decision, ask yourself, ‘What would I do if I weren’t afraid of making a mistake, looking foolish, feeling rejected, or being alone?’ When you remove the fear, the answer you are searching for comes into focus. As you walk into what you fear, you should know for sure, your deepest struggle can, if you are willing and open, produce your greatest strength.” - Oprah Winfrey

❖ Change the way you think about it. Thoughts are powerful. They shape our reality. Changing the way you think about a situation is key to improving it. All of our hurdles have meaning. Being open to learning from these challenges is the difference between succeeding and getting stuck.

❖ Taking what happens to me & turning it into something for me.
Take what feels difficult and use it as leverage to empower ourselves.

❖ Internal locus of control. Instead of spending energy on things outside of our power and control, shift your focus to what is within your power and control. This saves energy, reduces anxiety, anger & resentment, helps improve relationships, and teaches us valuable lessons in acceptance.

❖ Vulnerability. Holding on to our secrets and SHAME is the greatest burden we carry as emotional beings. Sharing with trustworthy people is the most liberating and empowering thing you can do for yourself. Sharing our story and helping others share theirs gives us our power back.

❖ Connection is key. “The new pathway to health is relationships. Creating an environment of health is an opportunity to heal. The best predictor of your current functioning is your current connection” (Dr. Bruce Perry). Without connection, belonging, & trust, our mental physical health suffer. Find your people & hold them close.

❖ Let it go. Is this helpful? Is this serving me? What is no longer serving me? Let it go.

Check out other articles written by Maggie Wilhelm, LPCC here.

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