Adrian Volenik
When you’re resilient, you basically have the upper hand on everyone else who isn’t as capable when facing adversity and setbacks.
But what are the habits that genuinely resilient people have in common, and can we learn something from them?
Well, you’ll have to keep on reading to find out!
1) They’re optimistic
Yes, you read that right. Even when the storm clouds gather, genuinely resilient people believe the sun will eventually shine.
They, simply put, have and maintain a sunny outlook on life, even when met with adversity. They don’t let pessimism cloud their judgment and instead focus on the silver linings.
And how do they do this? By consciously replacing negative thoughts they might have from time to time with positive affirmations.
They talk to themselves in a kind, encouraging way to boost their self-confidence and preserve a healthy self-image.
By lifting themselves up, they’re better equipped to face challenges head-on. In media, this is commonly portrayed as a person talking themselves up in a mirror.
And while that’s one way of doing it, it doesn’t have to be as dramatic. It can simply mean you write uplifting, grateful, and affirming things in a journal.
This optimistic attitude not only helps them stay motivated but also inspires those around them to keep moving forward.
2) They have emotional intelligence
Resilient people know their own emotions well. They recognize what they’re feeling and why.
Not only that, but they’re good at understanding how other people feel. This helps them connect with others more deeply because they can sense what others might be going through.
Instead of bottling up their emotions, they know how to express them in healthy ways. This emotional intelligence helps them navigate complex social and professional situations.
For example, effective leaders often have emotional intelligence. They gauge the morale of their team members.
If they sense that their team is feeling demotivated, they can take actions to boost morale and keep everyone engaged.
Leaders also know this:
3) They set goals
Goals are like a roadmap for life. You know where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and, more or less, how much time you’ll need to arrive at the goal.
Resilient people set clear, achievable objectives for themselves. These goals give them a sense of purpose and direction.
They don’t just drift through life like many people. They have a vision of where they want to go and what they want to achieve.
This sense of purpose fuels their determination and resilience. Even when things get tough, their goals serve as a motivating force, keeping them on track.
For example, a student aiming for a master’s degree sets goals like completing coursework, passing final exams, and defending a thesis.
These goals give a structured path to achieving their diploma.
4) They’re adaptable and embrace change
Resilient people are like chameleons. They can change and adjust when needed. They don’t cling stubbornly to one way of doing things.
Instead, they’re flexible and pivot when they need to. Just like Bezos pivoted his company (Amazon) from an online bookstore to an e-commerce giant, offering countless products.
So, whether it’s a change in plans or a shift in the environment, they roll with the punches. Without this adaptability, they’d give up, just like most people.
That’s to say that change doesn’t scare them. In fact, they welcome it. Resilient folks understand that change is a constant part of life’s journey.
When something new comes their way, they don’t resist. Instead, they see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
For instance, I changed careers many times. I always see it as an opportunity to learn new skills and explore my passions.
I sometimes go back to school, take on internships, or find mentors who are already successful at doing what I plan on doing.
But I also know how important it is to cope with stress.
5) They use humor as a coping mechanism
Humor is your secret weapon in tough times. When life serves up challenges, you shouldn’t take everything too seriously. Instead, find humor in the situation.
I’m not saying you should make light of serious issues, but instead, find a way to ease tension and reduce stress.
Laughter is, therefore, a powerful antidote to misfortune. It helps us keep a positive perspective and go through difficulties more easily.
And that’s what genuinely resilient people do. They use humor as a coping mechanism.
You know what else genuinely resilient people are good at?
6) They’re good at problem-solving
Yes, instead of being overwhelmed by problems, they roll up their sleeves and get to work. They don’t sit around waiting for someone else to fix the issues.
On the contrary, they’re proactive when confronted with obstacles.
But there’s something else that separates them from others. Instead of focusing on the problem itself, they immediately start looking for solutions.
They break down complex problems into manageable steps and tackle them methodically. One by one.
They also know that two heads are better than one.
7) They have a strong support system
Resilience isn’t a solitary journey. They know how important it is to lean on others when times get tough.
That’s why genuinely resilient people build a robust support system consisting of friends, family, mentors, and other trusted people.
What’s also important is that they aren’t afraid to reach out for emotional support or ask others for help or advice during challenging times.
They rely on others to be their safety net, helping them bounce back from trouble.
But how do you create such a network of people? Well, it all starts with having a wide range of contacts, which can be incredibly valuable.
These connections should preferably come from different walks of life – friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and mentors.
But you must nurture these relationships because when something happens, the network of people you set up will provide valuable support and resources.
On the other hand, you have to be ready to help them, too, and not be selfish.
8) They self-reflect
Another common habit is the ability to take a step back to think about their experiences. It’s like second nature to them.
They don’t just go through life without looking back. Instead, they spend time reflecting on what they’ve been through and what they’ve learned.
This introspection allows them to avoid making the same mistakes again because they use their past experiences as a source of wisdom.
By doing that, they make better choices in the future.
For example, they make it a habit to assess their personal goals and aspirations regularly.
They evaluate what they’ve achieved, what they’re still striving for, and what adjustments they need to make.
But also:
9) They never stop learning
When you’re resourceful and know how to do many things, you’re much more likely to weather the storm.
Genuinely resilient people typically have a hunger for knowledge that’s insatiable. If you thought this curiosity was limited to a particular area, you’re wrong. They’re interested in everything and anything.
They know that learning valuable new skills helps them adapt to different situations. Whether it’s reading, taking courses, or seeking out new experiences, they always find ways to broaden their horizons.
So, if there’s anything to take in from this article, it’s that you should never be complacent with the level of your knowledge. The more you know, the more you need to learn.
But here’s one last thing robust people are also painfully aware of:
10) They prepare for problems and emergencies
Persistent people are like scouts. They’re always prepared. They don’t wait for disaster to strike, but instead, they plan ahead for potential crises.
Above all, they understand that life can throw a stick in their bike wheel. So, they have contingency plans in place.
These plans outline what they’ll do if things go wrong. It’s like having a safety net for life’s tightrope walk.
When a problem appears, they’re not caught off guard; they know how to respond.
This could be as simple as saving money for a rainy day. Something many people still can’t or don’t do.
Final thoughts
Okay, so there you have them – 10 habits that separate those who persist from those who falter.
If you try and implement at least some of them in your life, you’ll already have a better starting position than most people on the planet.
