9 Habits of Resilient People

A new series of articles on resilient people

I have been fortunate in meeting hundreds of resilient people in my time, some of them very humble people who were not obvious heroes and who yet overcame some terrible personal tragedies.

The nine habits are the stand-out, most commonly recurring traits I have noticed. In my work – whether in coaching or psychotherapy – I am always on the watch for evidence of resilience in my clients, and will do whatever I can to help them mobilise their strengths.

By resilience I mean the ability to manage adversity. Adverse events can range from parenting out-of-control children to rescuing 70+ wounded soldiers while under intense Japanese sniper fire, as Desmond Doss did on Hacksaw Ridge. It can show in the way you handle an argument at the office or in the way you help your friends. Or in your approach to deprivation, abuse, unemployment, relationship breakdown, illness and death.

9 habits of resilient people

1. Resilient people tell it the way it is
2. Resilient people have solid personal boundaries
3. Resilient people exercise mind control
4. Resilient people know what to do about their emotions
5. Resilient people practice acceptance
6. Resilient people practice self-renewal
7. Resilient people spend time with resilient people
8. Resilient people take ownership
9. Resilient people are (mostly) spiritual people

This does not mean that all resilient people have all nine traits. Most will have some and many may have all or nearly all. Others may have started out with just one or two and added to them along the way.

I will be publishing articles on each habit over the next few weeks so stay tuned.

If you have your own resilience stories to tell – whether they are about yourself or people you have met – be sure to leave them in the comment box. 

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