How to Grow Your Resiliency Quotient

Welcome to part two of our Resiliency Quotient series, where we dive deeper into developing one of your secret superpowers – your Resilience Quotient.

Resilience is like a muscle that allows you to flex, bend, and bounce forward in the face of adversity.

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to bounce back stronger than ever after setbacks, while others struggle to cope?

Well, the good news is that resilience can be learned and strengthened.

In this episode, Julie South explores the importance of personal accountability and responsibility in developing a high resiliency quotient.

And stay tuned until the end, because Julie shares an easy strategy that you can start using right away to make a world of difference in your life.

Understanding Resilience as an Endurance Muscle  

Resilience, like a slow-twitch muscle fibre, enables us to endure ongoing stress and challenges without burning out or melting down.

Just as slow-twitch fibres are energy-efficient and less prone to fatigue, resilience helps us manage our emotional and psychological energy efficiently. By maintaining a steady state of well-being despite potential stressors, we can recover more quickly from setbacks and maintain our productivity levels.

Resilience as an Energy System

Drawing inspiration from the field of sports science and her time studying at AUT (Auckland University of Technology), Julie South compares resilience to the three energy systems found in humans.

The phosphagen system represents our quick recovery response, allowing us to stay focused and perform under immediate pressure.

The glycolytic system comes into play during ongoing challenges, enabling us to sustain effort and composure throughout tough projects or setbacks.

Finally, the oxidative system represents our ability to endure and sustain prolonged periods of stress or adversity.

Growing Your Resiliency Quotient

Building resilience is a learned behaviour, accessible to anyone regardless of age or history.

By adopting the right mindset, strategies, and a touch of heart, we can boost our resiliency quotient and navigate life’s ups and downs with clarity and strength.

Here are some practical steps to help you grow your resiliency quotient:

Learn from setbacks: Embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Remember that failure is not the end, but a stepping stone towards success. (Timestamp: 00:12:16)

Cultivate a reframe mindset: Adopt a mindset that focuses on personal development and improvement. Embrace challenges, see effort as a path to mastery, and maintain a positive attitude towards learning and growth.

Practice self-care: Prioritise self-care to maintain your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Engage in activities that recharge you, such as exercise, meditation, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

Develop a support network: Surround yourself with a strong support system of friends, family, and colleagues who uplift and encourage you. Seek their guidance and assistance when needed.

Foster adaptability: Embrace change and develop flexibility in your thinking and approach. Be open to new ideas and perspectives, and find creative solutions to challenges.

Focus on personal responsibility: Take ownership of your actions, choices, and emotions. Recognise that you (alone) have the power to control how you respond to adversity, and choose to respond with resilience and determination.

Conclusion:

In this Vet Staff Podcast episode, we explored the concept of resilience and how it can be developed and strengthened.

Just like a muscle that can be trained, resilience is a skill that anyone can learn and grow.

By adopting a reframing mindset, practicing self-care, building a support network, and taking personal responsibility, we can increase our resiliency quotient and navigate life’s challenges with grace and strength.

Remember, resilience is a lifelong journey, and with dedication and perseverance, you can build your own secret superpower and lead a more fulfilling life both at work and at home.

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Julie South
Julie South loves helping veterinarians, veterinary nurses and veterinary technicians find their next fantastic job - whether it's locum or permanent. Living, loving and working in New Zealand she's proud of the fact she's local and can help kiwi vet clinics find their next locum or permanent vet.