Maintaining Resilience at Work
From wearing facemasks, walking around one-way systems to new hybrid working plans, the one thing that this year has taught me is that change is the only constant.
Inevitably, change creates challenges, and undergoing challenges can be testing for us as human beings.
Particularly in the world of work where we are already facing pressures, deadlines, demands and have to deal with ongoing changes, it is essential that we adopt the necessary attributes to navigate challenges that arise along the way. This is where resilience comes in.
Resilience is our bounce-back ability as humans and determines how quickly we can recover from difficulties. An important thing to note is that being resilient doesn’t mean that you won’t experience stress, overwhelm, or anxiety. It just means you are better equipped to overcome it.
The best thing about resilience is that it is not something that is set in stone. It is a skill that you can develop to improve your quality of life.
Want to know how to develop resilience? Start with these 4 steps on maintaining resilience in the workplace.
1. Remember your why.
Resilient people often have a strong sense of purpose which allows them to remain committed and press forward when experiencing knockbacks. Knowing what your purpose is and what motivates you can be the push factor you need when you are facing challenges.
Try and make remembering your why a part of your daily routine, whether it be writing it down whilst you are having your coffee in the morning or just reflecting while you have a few minutes to spare.
If you are struggling with a particular task or project, aim to keep in mind the end goal. This will help you focus on the bigger picture rather than zoning into what is bugging you.
Don’t forget that your work matters and contributes to something bigger than the difficulty at hand.
2. Remember your power
When we experience overwhelm, it can feel like we have lost control, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we always have the power to create change.
Whilst being challenged at work, some actions you could take include:
- Identify immediate priorities — you can’t do everything. Find what is urgent and specific deadlines.
- Get started — (sometimes the hardest part), so once you have started, you are set!
- Find someone with knowledge — you may be responsible for an area, but you don’t have to do things alone. Try and benefit from the knowledge of those around you.
- Give yourself a head start — if you have a never-ending to-do list, wake up earlier and give yourself a greater chance of completing it.
3. Strengthen your connections
Our connections play a valuable role in helping us work through our setbacks. You will most likely find the weight of a problem feels lighter once shared. Aim to build trusted connections within the workplace and in your personal life that you can freely confide in.
Try to develop a good relationship with your manager or those you work alongside so that you can easily communicate what you are finding challenging and work together to find appropriate solutions.
You can also expand your network by getting involved in wider projects, reaching out to new colleagues, and participating in colleague-led internal groups to meet more people across your organisation.
4. Be your own champion
Do not demand perfection from yourself or ever expect yourself to do the impossible. Instead, reward yourself for making progress, no matter how small.
That feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction is key in allowing us to press forward.
You could even make a timeline or written records of your work achievements as inspiration when you need to remind yourself of what you are capable of.
Resilient people can reframe bad situations and use them as opportunities for growth. Even when you make mistakes or don’t feel you have delivered on a project, use this as a learning opportunity and think about how it can strengthen your character and help you do better next time.
This blog contribution was made by Kahlicia Hurley.
Kahlicia is a Law Graduate and Policy Assistant at Association of British Insurers and enjoys working with young people.
Passionate about understanding the human experience & human beings. Intuitive & observant. Seeks to write with meaning and impact. Loves to write and share her insight from experience. Enjoys adding her unique perspective.
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