Mindset is so important when it comes to success that elite athletes train themselves in nine mental skills alongside their physical training. Learn what these are – so you can apply them to your own work to help build your resilience.
Resilience is the ability to handle challenges and bounce back smarter and stronger. The more resilient you are, the better you’ll cope with challenges and difficulties – so the more successful you’re likely to be.
We develop resilience over time; it’s not something we’re born with. To build resilience, our mental processes need to be broken down and reconstructed to change the cycle of negative habits.
By nature, creatives tend to be very resilient. The mental skills you need for creativity are the same as those needed for resilience: curiosity, positivity, high motivation and the ability to cope with instability.
Make your mindset fighting fit
Resilience is so intrinsically linked to success that elite athletes train their minds in nine different ways to reinforce the power of attitudinal positivity. As creatives, we too can benefit from these buoyancy-bolstering techniques – so let’s shamelessly steal them from the sporty types and build up our own mental muscles:
Areas to develop to build your resilience
Practices you can use every day:
1. Choose and maintain a positive attitude
2. Maintain a high level of self-motivation
3. Set high but realistic goals
4. Work collaboratively with others
In preparation for a big event:
5. Use positive self-talk
6. Use positive mental imagery
To improve your performance:
7. Manage your anxiety
8. Handle your emotions responsibly
9. Stay focussed on the task in hand
Use positivity to improve your productivity
In times of crisis, optimism can make the difference between coping and collapsing. It’s not the answer to everything but it gives us the confidence to carry on when the future is uncertain.
In the past year, much of what has happened has been beyond our control – but not all of it. It can be grounding and empowering to identify what you CAN control, and work with that. Remember…
- You don’t always have to perform at 100% – recognise when you need to be at the top of your game and – just as importantly – when you need to kick back.
- Be realistic about your abilities, know your patterns and be kind to yourself.
- Work/life balance? Hahaha! Remember those days? For many of us, this has become a work/life mashup. To avoid burnout, set boundaries and carve out rest and playtime.
- Have an honest heart-to-heart with yourself. How are things going? Could you be happier? More productive? Ask what’s right for you and respond to your needs.
- It’s a pandemic, not a competition. Rather than pit yourself against others, focus on building up your own resilience and positive mindset.
- If you have off days, don’t beat yourself up. Maybe introduce a new ritual or structure. Or try switching off and on again – it works for people as well as PCs.
The above How-to guide was inspired by one of our Zoom Dives with Rania Svoronou, Associate Design Director at IBM iX.
A Zoom Dive is a deep-delving discussion between our founder, Carolyn Dailey and a handpicked business expert from the creative world. Fancy catching our next Zoom Dive, live? See our Events calendar and sign up for free.