A friend recently gave me the most touching compliment, calling me a “warrior.”

Noting several challenges I’ve been through over the last few years, including the death of my mom from cancer, she said that no matter what, I always seem to bounce back – and better.

I never really thought of myself as a warrior. I have always just put one foot in front of the other even when things were tough and persevered. I always believe that better times are ahead, even if it’s hard to see at that moment.

Being a warrior to me is having resilience and seeing the silver linings in spite of challenging circumstances.

Being resilient to me is the ability to cope with adversity and bounce back no matter what life throws at you.

It’s a skill that we all should be cultivating, and it’s a skill we can learn. Resilience will help us in every aspect of our lives, both personally and professionally.

A lot of my ability to be resilient has stemmed from adopting a positive outlook on life. I truly believe mindset is everything.

If you focus on the negatives, you will see the negatives. If you focus on the positives, you will see the positives. I also build gratitude into my every day and stay connected to loved ones (and my dogs of course!).

Here are some tips that can help you be more resilient too:

  1. Build a support system: Connect with friends, family or a therapist who can offer emotional support during challenging times.
  2. Practice self-care: Take care of your physical, emotional and mental health. This includes getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
  3. Stay optimistic: Try to maintain a positive outlook, even in difficult situations. Focus on the things that you can control, rather than dwelling on things you can’t.
  4. Cultivate a growth mindset: Instead of seeing failure as a setback, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
  5. Develop problem-solving skills: Instead of being overwhelmed by challenges, develop a plan to address them with steps. (Baby steps count!).
  6. Practice gratitude: Focus on what you have, rather than what you don’t. Gratitude can help you maintain a positive outlook and build resilience.
  7. Reflect: Take the time to learn from every situation and setback without beating yourself up over them. Give yourself grace, learn the lesson, do better next time and move on.

Resilience is a skill that can be developed and strengthened over time. So start practicing today!

What are your resilience tips?