When time is tight, stress is high, or an unexpected obstacle arises it can be challenging to keep moving forward. Especially if you’re feeling stuck and aren’t sure what you want. Or if you know what you want but aren’t sure where to begin. The tips below will help you shift your mindset and develop the resilience required to progress.
What is Resilience?
Resilience is a skill that you can develop and build upon at any time—it’s never too late. It helps you adapt to unexpected internal and external changes and challenges. Also, to circumstances that aren’t a surprise, but you’re struggling to adjust to or are no longer content with.
Your new skill expands your mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility. It’s not uncommon to be more resilient in some areas of your life than others. Like everything, there will be times when your agility is higher than others.
The tips below help you develop the resilience required to move in the direction of your dreams.
#1 Self-Reflection
Set aside some time to explore your feelings. When you’re stuck, it’s easy to overthink things, but what you may need to do is explore how you feel. Even if the area you feel stuck in is related to your career, how you’re feeling may be key to identifying the root cause of your stagnation.
For example, if you’re feeling stuck professionally, it may be time to consider a new career. Or you may be in the right career, but in the wrong organization.
It may help to journal about it or talk it through with a friend, family member, mentor, or therapist. Be sure to choose the right person though, as not all opinions are helpful. Also, external insights may not be what you need to keep moving forward. Sometimes all you need is someone who listens intently, asks the right questions, and points out what you may be too close to see.
#2 Get Some Space
When you’re in a rut or feeling overwhelmed, taking some time away for self-care can work wonders. Time away can be particularly helpful if you’re struggling with identifying your feelings.
What space looks like is entirely up to you.
- Take a vacation or weekend away.
- Spend a few hours in nature.
- Engage in your favorite hobby or sport.
- Schedule a massage or full spa day.
- Set aside quality time with friends or family.
- Do anything fun that differs from your routine.
You’ll return from your mini break feeling refreshed. This can help you explore your thoughts and feelings with the clarity required for a fresh perspective.
#3 Set New Goals or Refine Existing Goals
Now that you’ve had time and space to reflect, it’s time to set some new goals. Or to revisit and revise your existing goals. This part shouldn’t feel like pressure. Goal setting should be fun, as you’re mapping out what you want!
Identify your objective and what “success” or “finished” looks like, and map out mini milestones along the way. These milestones will give you little wins as you progress, which will make your goal feel less overwhelming.
#4 Determine What You Need to Succeed
To keep moving forward, you’ll need to identify what you need to succeed. This includes identifying what’s not working with your current approach. This will require you to put yourself out there in new ways and take a few calculated risks.
You might need to invest in tools or supplies to complete a project, and invest time and resources in:
- Books
- Podcasts
- Online courses
- Live courses
- Mentorship
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Software
- Technology
- And more
#5 Read a Relevant Book
We mentioned books above, but let’s dive in a bit deeper. Skill-specific books are often the first thing that comes to mind, but there’s a range of thought-provoking books to consider. If not a book, an audiobook TED Talk, or an interview with the author.
- Hard skill development: Read or reread books that help you develop the technical skills required to achieve your goal.
- Soft skill development: This includes books geared toward helping you develop your interpersonal skills in actionable ways.
- Autobiography: Autobiographies remind us that we’re not alone. There’s always at least one story of overcoming adversity within, which can motivate and inspire.
- Fiction and non-fiction: Fictional reads serve as entertainment, but they can also help develop empathy for yourself and others.
- Non-fiction: Non-fictional reads in areas of interest expand your awareness, which can be leveraged in many areas of your life.
#6 Take Action
You’ve laid your foundation, and now it’s time to begin! Even if time is tight, identify small tasks you can complete or start in 1 hour or less per day. If you have more time, great but don’t overwhelm yourself.
If you’re tempted to wait until you have enough time to knock it out all at once, or until you have less stress—think again. The “perfect” time may never come, but time will keep ticking. To keep moving forward, you must begin!
You’ll feel a greater sense of accomplishment slowly chipping away at all that needs to be done than you will if you do nothing at all.
#7 Celebrate Your Wins
With each new skill you develop, task you complete, and mini milestone you achieve—take a moment to celebrate. The bigger the challenge or task, the more time you should spend in celebration.
If progress is currently slow, reflect on your past wins. This will remind you of how resilient you are and that you can and will achieve your goal!
Yes, some goals are more challenging than others, but the harder it is to get there—the greater your sense of accomplishment.
Keep Moving Forward
One of the many joys in life is your ability to design a life and career that you love. What you want will evolve, so you’ll need to keep challenging yourself. Also, progress isn’t always a straight line. By developing your resilience you’ll be better equipped to get back on track and face challenges that arise. The tips and proven strategies above minimize the risk of the unknown.
Your dreams are waiting for you on the other side!
About Tommy Turner:
Entrepreneur and author Tommy Turner brings over three decades of experience inspiring others through his journey in the piano industry, online marketing, stock trading, and motivational writing.
For more about Tommy’s journey and work, visit the about page, drop a line on the contact page or leave a comment in the comments section. Check out Tommy’s books!
