Eleven Skills And Attitudes That Can Increase Resilience

We know that individuals handle adversity in many different ways and that the different approaches and strategies that they make use of have been learned and shaped by the culture, society and family systems that they grew up in and of which they are a part. But some common skills and attitudes emerge.

Duct Tape book coverThis list is from Duct Tape Isn’t Enough: Survival Skills for the 21st Century: What You Can Do Now To Spring Back From Hard Times. Portland, ME : Bounce Back USA, 2009. Module I, pages 4 and 5. 

Available at Amazon or through MaineCat Interlibrary Loan.

Duct Tape Isn't Enough is an essential resource for first-responders, trainers, educators, journalists, coaches, therapists, and all who realize the critical importance of adaptability in the face of tragedy and crisis. This compelling book uses storytelling incorporating the novel Reaching Home as a way of teaching the survival skills necessary to weather tough times. In this timely manual, you'll learn: the inventive skills and confident attitudes previous generations used to survive the Great Depression; the impact of fear on your ability think clearly and make wise decisions; that home is not a building, but a state of mind; ways to strengthen and maintain your resourcefulness to deal with adversity and tragedy; why being optimistic now is more important than ever before.

  1. Being connected to others. Relationships that can provide support and caring are one of the primary factors in resilience. Having a number of these relationships, both within and outside of the family, that offer love, encouragement and reassurance can build and support resilience, e.g., developing new friendships.
  2. Being flexible. By definition it is a key component of resilience and one of the primary factors in emotional adjustment and maturity. This requires that an individual be flexible in his thinking and his actions, e.g., trying something new.
  3. Being able to make realistic plans and take action to carry them out. Being able to see what is, rather than what you would like is a part of this skill. Being proactive rather than reactive, assertive rather than aggressive or passive are all components of this skill, e.g., taking a Red Cross course in CPR and First Aid.
  4. Being able to communicate well with others and problem-solve both individually and with others. This includes basic communication, listening and problem-solving skills, e.g., working as a team member within your community.
  5. Being able to manage strong feelings. This requires being able to take action without being impulsive and responding out of emotion and being able to put emotions to the side when clear thinking and action are required. Being able to use thinking as a way of managing one’s emotions is a key component of this skill, e.g., when you’re angry or hurt, thinking before acting.
  6. Being self-confident. Having a positive self-image is critical if a person is to be able to confront and manage fear and anxiety in his/her life, e.g., helping someone else.
  7. Being able to find purpose and meaning. Being able to make sense out of what is happening and to find meaning in it is critical if one is to be able to manage the feelings that are aroused in a crisis. Spiritual and religious practices are often a component of this factor, e.g., acting on your values.
  8. Being able to see the big picture. This factor is often closely aligned with #7 and #5. Optimists in general are better able to see the bigger picture than pessimists. They are more likely to see good and bad events occurring in their life being temporary rather than permanent. This, too, will pass. They are also more likely to see events having a specific impact on certain areas of their life rather than having a pervasive impact on their entire life or their future. And last of all, they are less likely to blame themselves or someone else for the hard times. Optimists avoid the blame game, e.g., hold yourself and others accountable without the emotional dose of blame.
  9. Being able to appreciate and use humor appropriately. Whether humor is “sick” or “dark” often depends on the setting. Laughter may have healing powers, e.g., if you’re not feeling well; watch a funny movie.
  10. Being able to take care of yourself, e.g., diet, exercise, financial “health,” etc. First responders and health care professionals are often major offenders in this area. We often assume that the rules do not apply to us, but they do, e.g., make a SMART Plan for exercise.
  11. Being able to care for others physically and emotionally. Occupations and volunteer activities that involve caring for others can often build resilience, e.g., volunteer in a shelter or a food bank.

If you would like to learn more about these 11 skills and attitudes, watch this video.

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