How I learned to build resilience at work 💪

Let's face it...work can be stressful.

From navigating difficult clients or coworkers to managing deadlines while juggling having a personal life, it can be extremely challenging.

Enter resilience, the ability to adapt to change and overcome obstacles. It's a key factor in achieving success in the workplace.

There was a time early in my teaching career when I faced an overwhelming workload, tight deadlines, and the challenge of balancing multiple projects all at the same time.

I had to navigate shifting priorities, support students, and still maintain high standards at work. I realized that simply managing stress wasn't enough — I needed to build resilience.

By adopting a growth mindset, prioritizing my self-care, setting realistic goals, and becoming more adaptable and flexible, I was able to bounce back from setbacks and come out stronger, ultimately delivering results I could be proud of at work.

Resilience means being able to handle stressful situations. Anyone can learn to develop resilience.

As the video below explains, developing resilience means:

• Seeing challenges as opportunities

• Being flexible

• Staying focused on what you can control

• Asking people in your network to help you

Resilience is a powerful tool that can transform your work experience. It can help you thrive and inspire others in any workplace environment.

Resilience leads to:

• Increased job satisfaction & productivity

• Improved mental health

• Greater innovation & leadership skills

Resilience has been key to my professional growth. By embracing challenges and adapting to change, I’ve experienced increased job satisfaction and mental well-being, while also enhancing my productivity and leadership abilities.

This mindset has empowered me to approach obstacles with confidence and innovate new solutions, making me feel more rewarded in my career.

During a challenging period early in my teaching career, I realized I needed to cultivate resilience to thrive. By adopting a growth mindset and setting realistic goals, I was able to navigate obstacles with confidence and emerge stronger, both personally and professionally.

You can implement the strategies below to build your resilience at work.

A growth mindset is the foundation of resilience. Research has shown that challenges and failures are opportunities for growth and learning, not only for children but also for adults in the workplace.

Develop a growth mindset by learning something new or self-reflecting.

As a teacher, I cultivate a growth mindset by embracing challenges and viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn. I encourage my students to do the same, creating an environment where perseverance and curiosity thrive.

Resilience begins with taking care of yourself. Make self-care a priority to enhance your well-being and capacity to handle workplace pressures.

— Cheri Rainey, leadership trainer

Prioritize the well-being of your mind, body, and emotions.

I prioritize self-care by setting clear boundaries and leaving work at school, ensuring I have time to relax and recharge. This balance allows me to return to the classroom refreshed and more present for my students.

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

When creating a new unit, I start by breaking it down into smaller tasks, like outlining the key concepts, selecting resources, and designing assessments.

By tackling each component one at a time and celebrating when I complete each step, I can stay focused and energized, preventing feelings of overwhelm and ensuring a more rewarding experience.

Photo by Alexa Williams on Unsplash

Step outside of your comfort zone every now and then, and keep an open mind.

I practice adaptability and flexibility by continually learning about new technologies and integrating them into the classroom, enhancing my teaching methods and enriching my students' diverse learning experiences.