Inspiring resilience in youth

In broad terms resilience is defined as one’s ability to adapt in the face of adversity and to move beyond difficulties.

Good news is, resilience is a skill that we can improve and strengthen. When you see your child struggle and wanting to throw their arms in the air and give up (this too is natural), we have the opportunity to gently nudge and encourage them into strengthening their resilience.

Resilience tips

🔅 Emphasize effort over result; we have a much greater deal of control over our own effort than we do results.

🔅 Focus on the learning in every opportunity; learning is growing! “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn” – so grab the golden nugget every chance you get.

🔅 Celebrate failure; remember that failure is our greatest guide to discovering where we can focus on efforts in order to up our skills, performance and mental fortitude (back to effort over result).

🔅 Compassion; listen and acknowledge that facing a challenge is often uncomfortable and hard, but we can’t grow in our comfort zone.

🔅 Vulnerability; one of the key ingredients for courage! Showing up, with all that we are, even when we don’t know how it’s going to turn out. (If you are not familiar with Brené Brown’s work I strongly encourage you to look her up).

Chances are that when people (young to old) are given the space and encouragement to step up and embrace adversity, they will extend that same opportunity and support to others.

Build you resilience toolbox

I invite you to contact me if you are interested in offering your child, athlete or student the opportunity to develop their resilience toolbox. AiM Coaching offers multi week workshops and personal coaching for youth and adults to enhance our ability to tackle challenges and embrace opportunities in life with grace, strength and compassion.

Kindly,

Mia McFadyen, Certified Co-Active Professional Coach