Objective
To gain self-assurance in yourself by learning to recognise and acknowledge your resilience.
Overview
This approach recognises that everyone has some knowledge of what would make their life better, as well as the ability to create solutions. Sometimes people who are in the process of working through tough situations just need to be reminded of how strong they are.
This article focuses on your strengths instead of your weaknesses by reminding you to think of and appreciate how you cope with your difficulties, by asking questions like “How have I managed to continue?” or “How have I managed to prevent things from becoming worse?”
Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. It is a particular inner strength that characterises many people who persevere under the most difficult of circumstances.
What to Do
This activity will help you recognise and appreciate your resilience.
Using the chart that follows, write down things you have been able to accomplish or ordeals or problems you have overcome.
Reflect on what personal strengths were required for you to achieve each. This achievement might take determination and resolve. For ideas, you can use the list of strengths that follows.
Include how you felt, every small piece of satisfaction or happiness at your achievement.
If you like, share your chart with someone who is supporting you along your journey. You could ask them to think of an accomplishment you have not included, perhaps because you forgot about it or didn’t even think of it as an accomplishment.
Make a copy of the chart and keep it with you to look at whenever you are feeling despondent or need to remember what your goals are and how committed you are.
Add to the chart every chance you can.
Ambitious Analytical Appreciative Artistic Authentic Caring Charming Analytical Appreciative Artistic Authentic Caring Charming Clever Communicative Compassionate Confident Considerate Courageous | Creative Dedicated Determined Disciplined Educated Empathetic Energetic Enthusiastic Fair Flexible Focused Forceful Generous Grateful Helpful Honest Hopeful Humble Humorous | Idealistic Industrious Ingenious Integrity Intelligent Kind Knowledgeable Leadership Lively Modest Motivated Observant Patient Persevering Persistent Persuasive Practical Precise | Problem-solving Prudent Respectful Responsible Self-assured Self-controlled Serious Socially intelligent Spiritual Spontaneous Straightforward Strategic Tactful Collaborative Thoughtful Thrifty Versatile Warm |
Your Resilience Record
Accomplishments | Strengths | How you felt |
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How did it feel to focus on what you are successful at rather than what is wrong in your life?
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In what ways were you surprised to learn how resilient you actually are in the face of adversity?
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