Understanding resilience
RQ consists of five components:
- Optimism
This involves having a positive outlook and seeing a positive vision of the future. Optimists have a ‘can-do’ attitude, and are happier and healthier as a result. Seligman (1998) talks about the idea of ‘learned optimism’. The process of learned optimism is:
- Adversity – acknowledging difficulties
- Beliefs – recording your thoughts and feelings (beliefs) about the difficulties
- Consequences – thinking about what the outcomes of these beliefs might be
- Disputation – challenging your beliefs about the difficulties
- Energisation – reflecting on the process and changing your beliefs if needed
- Solution Orientation
This is the ability to anticipate problems, take control and be proactive in finding solutions. It involves displaying sound judgment, and reframing your thoughts from problems to outcomes. - Individual accountability
Those who feel accountable are secure and take ownership of their own self-confidence. They are able to tackle issues, deal with conflict and take action. This links to the idea of internal locus of control, which we looked at when discussing self-confidence. - Openness and flexibility
This involves the ability to cope with ambiguous situations. People who are open and flexible change direction when necessary, learn from previous problems, cut their losses when appropriate, and empathise with others. - Managing stress and anxiety
This is about knowing your stressors, anticipating stressful events and dealing with the symptoms.
ReferencesClarke, J. and Nicholson, J. (2010). Resilience: Bounce Back from Whatever Life Throws at You. Crimson Publishing.Seligman, M (1998). Learned Optimism. New York, NY: Pocket Books.
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