In a world where adversity is an inevitable companion, understanding the keys to resilience can transform the way you navigate life’s toughest challenges.
Lucy Hone, a renowned resilience expert, unveils three profound secrets in her insightful TEDx Christchurch talk, offering a beacon of hope and practical guidance for those in the throes of hardship.
These secrets, born from both rigorous research and personal tragedy, provide a roadmap for not just surviving but thriving amidst life’s inevitable storms.
1. Understanding that suffering is part of life: Resilient people recognise that adversity and suffering are inherent aspects of human existence. This acceptance helps them avoid feeling unfairly targeted when facing difficult situations. Hone emphasises the importance of acknowledging that life can be tough, which is a common experience for everyone.
2. Selective attention: Resilient individuals have a skill in focusing their attention on aspects they can control and accepting those they cannot. This involves an appraisal of situations and an emphasis on positive aspects, also known as ‘benefit-finding’. Hone describes this as tuning into the good, despite the negatives, and cites the example of being grateful for the support she received after her loss.
3. Asking “is this helping or harming me?”: This strategy involves self-reflection on one’s actions and thoughts to determine whether they are beneficial or detrimental in a given situation. Hone used this question as a guiding principle during her grieving process to make decisions that were more conducive to her wellbeing and resilience. This approach empowers individuals by giving them control over their responses to challenging circumstances.
