3 Ways to Build Resilience in Times of Uncertainty
3 Ways to Build Resilience in Times of Uncertainty
3 Ways to Build Resilience in Times of Uncertainty
RESILIENCE.
It’s a word we are hearing a lot right now.
In light of the coronavirus, the stock market, the uncertainty we are facing, and the global impact that all of this is having, it is more important than ever to take time to proactively build our resilience muscle.
In this video:
- Be deliberate about practicing Mind Over Moment.
- Utilize the idea of mindfulness to help you become aware of your thoughts, feelings, habits, and behaviors.
- Learn how to reframe the way you think about stress.
- Harness the anxiety and stress you are feeling to turn it in to fuel to keep forging ahead because ahead is the only way to go.
- Use this time to invest in projects you haven’t had time to complete, try a new hobby, or take an online class.
- This is the time to build your resilience muscle.
Plus:
- Simple steps to practice Mind Over Moment, like: exercise, meditation, implementing a daily gratitude ritual, or practicing random acts of kindness.
- How strategic stopping throughout your day can increase productivity.
- Why humor is one of my favorite resilience-building strategies.
- Some of the exciting projects I’m working on for you with this “extra” time!
I hope you enjoy the video.
More:
Be deliberate about practicing Mind Over Moment
Mind Over Moment is a science-based tool that utilizes the idea of mindfulness to help you become aware of your thoughts, feelings, habits, and behaviors in the moment, in order to steer yourself toward better responses and outcomes. Practicing mindfulness restores our connection to the present moment and reminds us that we are alive and in charge of the choices we make.
When you do any of the following, you are practicing Mind Over Moment:
- Exercise
- Meditate
- Breathe (3 deep breaths reset your nervous system)
- Gratitude
- Random Acts of Kindness
- Strategic stopping throughout your day
- Humor
Rethink Stress
Stress can feel like an unseen force, like the gravity that drives the tides, always in the background, keeping us on edge, unable to fully relax and expecting the worst rather than looking for the best. No matter how we view our relationship with stress, the common thread is that it makes us feel out of control, disempowered and at the mercy of forces outside ourselves. If we view stress as our body just preparing us to deal with what’s ahead, not only is it not bad for us, it serves as fuel to keep forging ahead because ahead is the only way to go.
Turn Fear Into Fuel
By rethinking stress, you can harness that fear and anxiety and turn it into the fuel you need to take action. Use this time to invest in projects you haven’t had time to complete, try a new hobby, or take on online class. Take time to help others and serve as a resource to those who need it most. This is the time to build your resilience muscle. So in times of uncertainty, focus on what you can control. The things you know will make a difference – your mindset, your relationship with stress, and harnessing fear and doubt to propel yourself forward.
– Anne
My team and I know that recent public health concerns have forced many event planners and corporate professional development teams to forgo in-person conferences. I’ve been presenting virtual events to global audiences for almost a decade, and want to be a resource for you to make your next online gathering a huge success. Let us help you support your teams and your leadership so they can effectively weather this global time of uncertainty. Are you interested? We would love to work with you.
Have comments? Want more? Follow us on social @AnneGradyGroup!
I played piano from the time I was four years old until the age of 15 and during that time, I had a lot of recitals. I remember being so nervous before each recital. What if I played the wrong note? What if I forgot the music? My dad would look at me, hold my hands, and say:
Whatever you do, DO NOT think of pink elephants!!
At the time, I had no idea why in the world he would say this. All I do know is that when I sat down to play, all I saw were pink elephants, and I was able to tackle my nerves.
Turns out my dad was helping me to practice the ironic process theory which explains that when we try to suppress our thoughts, we focus on them even more. Seventy to 80% of our thoughts are negative and repetitive. If not managed, intrusive thoughts can lead to anxiety, depression, and a whole host of mental health challenges.
If you tend to get stuck in rumination, or if your thoughts sometimes get the best of you, here are a few ways to take back control:
1️⃣ Recognize that your thoughts are not facts.
2️⃣ Use your brain. Do a math problem, practice a different language, or play a puzzle game. When you access the prefrontal cortex, the higher level thinking part of your brain, you get out of the emotional limbic system.
3️⃣ Distract yourself. Sometimes a simple distraction gives you enough distance to quiet your intrusive thoughts.
4️⃣ Practice mindfulness.
5️⃣ See a therapist. When negative, intrusive thoughts impact your ability to do your job, maintain relationships, or start clouding your judgment, it may be time to get help. As someone with plenty of intrusive thoughts, therapy has helped me tremendously.
Don’t forget, your thoughts and feelings are not facts. They are simply habits that need to be shifted. Be patient with yourself, and if all else fails, whatever you do, DO NOT THINK OF PINK ELEPHANTS!

Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 52 Strategies for Life, Love & Work and Strong Enough: Choosing Courage, Resilience and Triumph.