This document discusses resilience and how to build it. It defines resilience as recovering quickly from difficulties, harnessing strengths during challenges, staying committed when things are tough, and mobilizing resources. The document outlines five steps to improve resilience: 1) self-reflection to understand values and strengths, 2) exploring energy sources, 3) examining typical responses to difficulties, 4) identifying core strengths, and 5) harnessing strengths to adapt to challenges. Building resilience involves regulating emotions, engaging in supportive relationships, and embracing new ways of responding to grow from experiences.

1. RESILIENCE
IN TIMES
OF STRESS

2. Expectations &
Objectives
• Define resilience
• Discuss sources of energy
• Identify core strengths
• Learn to actively manage your
resources
• Achieve resilience in all that you
do!

3. What is Resilience?
 Recovering quickly from setbacks and
adversity
 Harnessing your strengths during
challenging times
 Staying committed and increasing
efforts when the going gets tough
 Mobilizing resources

4. Resilience is Related to Perspective
Resilient individuals
are able to be flexible
and adapt to changing
circumstances and
life’s changes.

5. Locus of Control Can Affect Our Resiliency
 An External Locus of Control is demonstrated by those who view life
and their response to it as happening to them.
 An Internal Locus of Control is demonstrated by those who view life
and their response to it as their choice.
Internal
Locus
External
Locus

6. Anyone Can Improve Their Resilience
1. Know thyself
2. Explore your energy sources
3. Understand your typical responses to
challenging situations
4. Identify your core strengths
5. Harness your strengths for adaptability in
times of difficulty

7. No. 1: Know Thyself
Self Assessment and Reflection:
• What are your personal values?
• What makes you feel good about
yourself?
• What are some things you’d like to
improve?
• How do you take care of yourself?

8. No. 2: Explore Your Energy Sources
• What propels you forward to great work?
• What holds you back?
• How strong are your connections?
– to family, friends, co-workers, community
• What’s the quality of your wellness and self-care practices?
– your diet, activity level, stress reduction, sleep habits, etc.?

9. No. 3: Examine Your Typical Responses to Challenging Situations
• What types of events or actions can trigger
particular behaviors in you?
• What trips you up from being effective and
successful?
• How do you keep things in perspective and avoid
seeing challenges and crises as insurmountable?
• How do you manage strong feelings and
compelling impulses?

10. No. 4: Identify Your Core Strengths
Take a Personal Strengths Inventory:
 Having an open vs. closed mind
 Willingness to collaborate and/or ask for assistance
 Sense of self-awareness leading to confidence
 Positive vs. negative outlook
 Ability to see and use humor appropriately

11. No. 5: Harness Your Resources to Meet Challenges
• Nurture a positive view of yourself
• Focus on lessons learned and continue to build self-awareness
• Explore/Create new positive habits
• Capitalize on your strengths to become more resilient each day
The Goal: Moving from just surviving to thriving!

12. Resilience in Action
Regulating Emotions:
• Identifying what you are thinking and feeling and how it affects you
• Viewing life as challenging but opportunity-filled
• Re-establishing perspectives after disruption

13. Resilience in Action
Engaging in More Effective relationships:
• Developing supportive interactions with colleagues and others
• Contributing more effectively to problem-solving & common concerns
• Giving and receiving both assistance and encouragement

14. Resilience in Action
Effects of Embracing New Ways of Responding:
• Adapting to circumstances with flexibility
• Investing energy in problem solving
• Learning from past experiences
• Breaking through personal barriers

15. Greater Resiliency…
• Improves our ability to regard setbacks as opportunities and
to solve problems creatively.
• Helps us gain the confidence to remain optimistic under
pressure and to bounce back from adversity.
• Allows us to know when to ask for help or support and to build
strong, supportive relationships.
• Raises our self awareness resulting in improved emotional
regulation, impulse control, and collaborative behaviors.

16. Parting Thoughts – The River as Life

17. More Resources for Resilience Information
The Resiliency Advantage: Master Change, Thrive Under Pressure, and
Bounce Back from Setbacks – Al Siebert
The Resiliency Workbook: Bounce Back Stronger, Smarter & With Real Self-
Esteem – Nan Henderson
Developing Resilience, Grit and Growth Mindset – George Lucas
Educational Foundation - www.edutopia.org/resilience-grit-resources
The Road to Resilience – American Psychological Association -
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx