Turn your Worst Nightmare into a Bump in the Road: How to Be Resilient

A successful business will almost always have unexpected events, obstacles, and difficulties. Resilient people are better equipped to cope.

With so much uncertainty and change during the pandemic, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed by work and struggling to cope.

Studies show a 20% increase in workplace stress in the UK from 2018 to 2020. This means 79% of people report commonly experiencing work-induced stress. Clearly, this is something most of us are suffering from.

Some people might be more naturally resilient, but if that's not you, hope is not lost!

Anyone can become more resilient by implementing these tips.

Be Mindful

Ever heard of mindfulness? If not, get learning! Being more mindful brings a wealth of benefits, not just for your work, but your personal life too. Losing weight, improving your blood pressure and getting more sleep - the list is endless.

Practicing mindfulness forces you to stop and really take in the world around you. It's easy to get caught up in the next task and let the world pass you by. This isn't just a shame to miss the beauty. It can make your problems seem all-encompassing and limit your perspective.

Whether you're a mindfulness beginner or just trying to be more consistent, try one of the great apps to guide you through, like Headspace or Calm. Practicing a little bit every day will help you be more resilient to the day-to-day stresses at work.

Look on the Bright Side

Ok, you can't be positive all the time. We all have our moments. However, a 'glass half full' attitude makes you more resilient.

Finding the positives in any situation reduces the chance of burnout and keeps your work invigorated. The most resilient people turn around the worst-case scenario and draw out new opportunities. It's often out of a nightmare, like a job loss, that dreams come true.

When one door closes, another opens, right?

Prioritise Balance

A culture that prizes productivity can make us feel terrible for ever switching off. Whether it's working lunches, overtime in the evening or unused holiday hours, many of us aren't taking the time to recharge and reset. Of course, sometimes a deadline is approaching and you're all working your hardest to deliver. However, this excess of productivity is even becoming desirable and rewarded in some businesses. In reality, it isn't a sustainable way to work.

If work is your whole life, stress in the workplace will unavoidably take over. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance helps you weather the storms.

A Bigger Purpose

Reports suggest that resilience is associated with spirituality. Don't worry if spirituality isn't your thing. This doesn't mean you should subscribe to any specific belief or force a feeling that isn't natural to you. In whatever form, having a sense of a bigger purpose to your work is really motivating.

It also gives you a bit of perspective. Sometimes what feels like your worst nightmare is just a bump in the road.

Particularly now, when workplaces are typified by change - imposing a need to be flexible and adaptive - resilient workers are seen to be more able to manage inevitable changes and deal with novel scenarios. As this skill achieves new recognition, making changes to be more resilient could be the boost your career needs.

How resilient do you feel at work?