Building Resiliency
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‘Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.’
- Viktor Frankl, psychiatrist, holocaust survivor
Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from adversity. It's the psychological strength to navigate stress and hardship.
The past few years have tested us.
We’ve faced climate change, the aftermath of a global pandemic, economic distress, and rising mental health concerns.
And for many, job uncertainty and an existential crisis - as the world shifts beneath our feet - have only added to the strain.
It’s easy to feel helpless.
That’s why actively developing resiliency is more important than ever.
Those with strong resiliency can withstand setbacks, recover faster, and find a way forward even in uncertain times.
The good news is that resiliency is not just an inherited trait; it’s a skill you can build.
Three Steps to Build Resiliency
1️. Reframe thoughts to be more positive
2️. Seek support
3. Focus on what you can control
Simple? Yes.
Easy? Not always.
Like any habit, resiliency gets stronger with practice and repetition.
1. Reframe Thoughts to Be More Positive
Reframing is the practice of shifting your perspective to find a more empowering way to interpret events.
For example:
Instead of: “I’m sure I’ll be laid off, and I’ll never find another job.”
Reframe to: “Layoffs may or may not happen, but I can use this time to reflect, learn, and prepare for what’s next.”
Reframing is about shifting fear into action. Instead of focusing on what might go wrong, ask yourself:
- What strengths can I build on?
- What skills can I sharpen?
- What opportunities could this create?
Uncertainty is unsettling, but resilience comes from trusting your ability to adapt and move forward.
2. Seek Support
Resiliency isn’t built in isolation. Find your support system.
- Talk to a friend, family member, or trusted colleague.
- Join networking groups or online communities.
- Explore therapy, coaching, or mentorship.
Although the pandemic disrupted our lives in unwanted ways, it also helped normalize mental health conversations. Now, seeking support is no longer (as) taboo.
3. Focus on What You CAN Control
You can’t predict the future.
You can’t control external events.
So, what can you control?
Try this simple exercise:
- Draw a line down the middle of a sheet of paper.
- On the left, list everything you have complete control over.
- On the right, list everything you don’t.
It should come out with everything you CAN control falling into one of two categories:
- Your thoughts
- Your actions
That’s it.
Everything else? The economy. What other people say or do. Decisions you made in the past. Politics. The weather.
Out of your control.
Looking Forward
No one has a crystal ball to guarantee things will go as planned.
But by committing to daily resilience-building, you’ll be okay — whether you stay in your current role, pivot, or take an entirely new path.
YOU WILL BE OKAY.
And as the cliché goes: When one door closes, another opens.
For anyone laid off or choosing to leave a toxic environment, here’s a quote I love:
“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment it grows in, not the flower.” - Alexander den Heijer
You are worthy.
You are talented.
And your flower will bloom again — even if it’s in a place you can’t yet see.
