The process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, or significant sources of stress.

Flexibility and adaptability will have you rolling with life’s punches.

In the engineering world, resilience refers to the ability of an object or structure to spring back into shape after it was exposed to severe force or pressure.

In human terms, resilience refers to the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt well to change, and keep going, even when facing difficult circumstance.

The characteristic of a resilient person reminds us a bit of Aesop’s Fable of the neighboring willow- and oak trees. The Willow envied the mighty oak for its power and strength. One day, during a violent storm, the Willow challenged the Oak to a trial of strength. The pliant Willow, swaying and bending, escaped the force of the storm; but the huge Oak was unrooted and fell over. Although the Oak was mighty and solid, it was rigid and inflexible. It collapsed under the pressure of the storm. The Willow survived.

Willow tress have an innate ability to be flexible and adaptable to weather storms. They continuously strengthen their flexibility and adaptability whenever the mildest winds move through their branches. How can we as humans cultivate such a willow-like character?

Although researchers have made strong links between resilience, genetic- and biological factors, the good news is that we can also learn to be more resilient!

Here are a few ideas:

• Work on your level of self-awareness. If you have a good understanding of your strengths and development areas, you will be able to use or develop them to help you cope with stressors and problems in any area of your life.
• Believe in your own abilities, and when things get almost too difficult, remind yourself that you can do hard things.
• Relationships are excellent plant food for resilience. When things are tough, don’t rely on your own strength, but rather seek support from your friends, family, and colleagues.
• Rather look at the glass as being half full, than half empty. Try to get a different, more optimistic perspective on a challenging situation.
• Always remember that every problem in life has a solution. Don’t give up if you do not find an immediate solution.