While driving home after an intriguing GOOD (Greater Orlando OD) Network Meeting that focused on Resilience, I scanned my XM radio for some relaxing drive home tunes. Unfortunately, my ride coincided with the tail end of Tiger Woods’ State of ‘his’ Union address and the unending banter that followed it.

I was truly annoyed by the discussions and turned off the radio completely. Earlier that morning had brought enjoyment from the presentation targeting Resilience and the Recession, covering many key building blocks in order to deal with the current cards we have all been dealt within this economy. And here you have TW, not one bit affected by the downturn (unless you call a few thousand dollars off a million dollar winning check a cut back) but having to be resilient in his own tragic way. Bouncing back from losing a job, a salary cut or a mass layoff is wee bit different from returning to prominence from a recent life of infidelity and wolfing around.

As we discussed case studies and learned new ways to be more resilient, here is a billionaire starting the process of his resiliency, one that was brought on himself.  I coughed out an awkward chuckle at the irony of how hard it is for people just to make ends meet, pay their bills and put food on the table and dominating the headlines is a decorated athlete speaking in front of millions of people professing his regret and showing his ‘resiliency’.  Can you tell I’m irritated?

By the end of the workshop, I learned about emotional, psychological and other aspects of resiliency. By the end of the day, I heard a television broadcaster say something along the lines of, “Tiger has always been very resilient and I wouldn’t bet against him.”

Something just didn’t sit right with that statement to me on this day.

The whole episode got me thinking about how important resilience is in some work teams right now – you’re being asked to do more with less, don’t feel secure in your job, maybe recently watched friends, neighbors or colleagues get let go. What do you do or what could you do to exercise your resilience muscle? A few things I found include:

• Attitude is everything – The glass half full is a great place to start!
• Emotional Intelligence – Understanding your emotions and why you feel that way
• Focus on what YOU can control
• Park the Pessimism
• Exercise and stay healthy
• Connect with friends for support
• Never give up!

Only YOU can be resilient….no one is going to do it for you. Now get that mind straight and go for it!