What are the 10 Habits of Highly Resilient People?

By Dr. Dieter Veldsman

In today's fast-paced world, resilience is more important than ever. Resilient people possess certain habits that help them navigate life's challenges and emerge stronger. The good news is that these habits can be adopted by anyone, regardless of their circumstances. Here are six key habits that resilient people integrate into their daily lives.

The Power of Resilience

Why Resilience Matters

Moreover, resilience fosters innovation and creativity. When employees are resilient, they are more willing to take risks and explore new ideas because they are not as deterred by the fear of failure. This willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes drives innovation, leading to improved problem-solving and developing new products or processes.

• Acceptance of Failure: By accepting failure, individuals can open doors to unexpected successes. Each mistake offers a lesson, paving the way for new strategies and approaches.
• Proactive Resilience: Instead of giving up, resilient people channel their energy into plotting their next move. This proactive approach ensures that they bounce back stronger, ready to tackle challenges with renewed vigor.

The Path to Happiness and Success

Moreover, resilience fosters innovation and creativity. When employees are resilient, they are more willing to take risks and explore new ideas because they are not as deterred by the fear of failure. This willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes drives innovation, leading to improved problem-solving and developing new products or processes.

Resilient individuals understand that failure is an essential stepping stone to success. Embracing failure allows them to transform setbacks into learning opportunities. This mindset encourages a cycle of continuous improvement, where each failure is not an endpoint but a critical step toward achieving greater goals.

• Acceptance of Failure: By accepting failure, individuals can open doors to unexpected successes. Each mistake offers a lesson, paving the way for new strategies and approaches.
• Proactive Resilience: Instead of giving up, resilient people channel their energy into plotting their next move. This proactive approach ensures that they bounce back stronger, ready to tackle challenges with renewed vigor.

In the workplace, this translates to a culture where innovation thrives. Employees who are not afraid to fail are more likely to explore uncharted territories, leading to groundbreaking ideas and solutions. Thus, resilience not only nurtures personal growth but also propels organizational success.

Before diving into the habits that foster resilience, let's clear up some common misconceptions.

Myth 1: Resilience is Something You Are Born With

Myth 2: There's a Silver Bullet for Resilience

Myth 3: Resilience is Universal Across All Situations

Myth 4: Resilience Comes Only with Age

Myth 5: Resilient People Are Always Strong

Myth 6: Resilience Can Be Quantified

By debunking these myths, we can better understand that resilience is accessible, practical, and individualized. It's a journey that anyone can embark on, equipped with the right knowledge and practices.

The Habits of Resilient People

• Self-awareness

Resilient individuals make time to understand themselves and reflect on their actions. In a world filled with constant noise from WhatsApp, MS Teams messages, and Netflix, they consciously choose to listen to their inner selves. They think through their experiences and understand their responses to the world. This self-awareness is the foundation of resilience, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with clarity and purpose.

• Purpose

Resilient people often ask themselves, "Why?" They seek positive meaning in events and understand that hardships are part of everyone's life story. Instead of seeing purpose as a distant, elusive concept, they find meaning in daily activities. They recognize the beauty in the moment and understand that every aspect of their lives has a purpose. This perspective helps them to stay motivated and focused, even in tough times.

They also accept that setbacks are a part of life, do not assign blame for what happens to them and rather focus on what they can change about the situation, as opposed to getting stuck in the moment.

• Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a key practice for resilient individuals. It involves living in the moment and objectively understanding their experiences. They "listen from empty," letting go of preconceived notions and judgments. Being present allows them to evaluate circumstances clearly, slow down, and become aware of their surroundings. This practice helps them to respond to situations with a calm and clear mind.

• Relationships

A strong support network is crucial for resilience. Resilient people build relationships that are supportive and positive. Whether it's friends, colleagues, or family, they create networks where they can give and receive support. These relationships help them navigate life's difficulties and provide a sense of community. They understand that being there for others is just as important as having others there for them.

• Self-care

Self-care is essential for resilience. Resilient people understand the importance of looking after themselves, even in cultures that might stigmatize this practice. They reflect on what brings them joy and energy, and they make time for rest. They know that they cannot be resilient if they are tired or worn down. By prioritizing self-care, they ensure that they have the strength to face life's challenges.

• Gratitude

Finally, resilient people actively practice gratitude. They continuously find things to be thankful for, regardless of their circumstances. Research shows that people who practice gratitude are more resilient and better equipped to handle challenging situations. By appreciating the small things in life, they cultivate a positive mindset that helps them to stay resilient.

Discovering ten habits that nurture resilience can equip you to handle life's challenges with confidence and grace.

1. Develop Emotional Toughness: Resilient individuals learn to expect and accept setbacks. By preparing mentally for challenges, they not only endure difficulties but also remain optimistic like many successful people.
2. Embrace Discomfort for Growth: They step outside their comfort zones, welcoming difficult emotions as opportunities for personal development beyond existing limits.
3. Prioritize Long-Term Success: Resilient people resist the lure of immediate rewards, focusing instead on achieving their long-term objectives, knowing patience and persistence pay off.
4. Bounce Back with Elasticity: Picture yourself like a rubber band. This metaphor illustrates their ability to stretch and adapt under pressure, ultimately returning stronger after adversity.
5. Learn from Past Experiences: They regularly reflect on previous challenges to strengthen and educate themselves. By recognizing lessons learned, they cultivate resilience through personal growth.
6. Convert Self-Doubt into Strength: Instead of allowing doubts to stagnate their progress, resilient individuals channel these emotions into skill development, transforming potential blocks into steps forward.
7. Maintain Balance in Emotional Turbulence: People with resilience acknowledge life's highs and lows equally. By keeping an even keel, they celebrate successes without becoming complacent and handle setbacks without losing spirit.
8. Avoid Despair in Disappointments: Resilient individuals turn potential defeat into growth. When faced with setbacks, they take a moment to assess, learn, and plan for a stronger comeback.
9. Foster Positive Self-Talk and Optimism: They consciously replace self-criticism with encouragement and affirmations, supporting themselves to recover from failures and stay motivated.
10. Support Yourself Through Falls: Quick recovery from setbacks is achieved by showing self-compassion. By being their own advocates, resilient individuals provide the encouragement needed to bounce back.

These habits aren’t just strategies; they’re lifestyles embraced by those who thrive despite adversity. Adopting these traits can open doors to new possibilities and growth.

The 3 Rs of Resilience: Reflect, Reframe, Reset

To integrate resilience-building habits into your daily life, consider the 3 Rs: Reflect, Reframe, and Reset. These practices will help you cultivate the six essential habits of resilience we've previously discussed.

The first R is to Reflect. Carve out time in your schedule for reflection. This isn't about critiquing your performance but understanding and making sense of your experiences. Ask yourself:

• What happened today or this week?
• What am I proud of today?
• What could I have approached differently?
• What did I learn?
• What am I thankful for today?

Reframe

The second R is to Reframe. This means intentionally changing your perspective on a situation. For example, when faced with a challenge at work, instead of getting frustrated, ask yourself:

• "What if her behavior is not about me?"
• "What if her reactions stem from her own issues?"
• "What if I try to understand her perspective instead of proving I'm right?"

Final Words