Resilience enables you to recover from setbacks and challenges, which is crucial when facing obstacles that limit your ability to pursue your dreams. As a self-advocate, it’s important to build and maintain your resilience so you can stay during any and every situation. Just imagine you are a rock in the middle of a raging sea; no matter what pushes against you, you will remain strong and steady. 

The following are six tips to help you develop and maintain your resilience as a self-advocate:  

Develop an Attitude of Acceptance

It’s essential to accept whatever challenge or obstacle you are facing rather than getting stuck in negative thoughts about it. Acceptance will open up more solutions for you when tackling the roadblocks before you. Just because you accept it in the moment doesn’t mean it defines you, or you have to stay stuck in it.

Focus on Gratitude and What You Can Control

It’s difficult to stay focused in the midst of a challenging situation, but if you take some time to focus on what you are grateful for, it will allow you to gain perspective and strength. Don’t get too bogged down by things outside of your control, but instead, focus on what you can control. For example, if you feel anxious about an upcoming presentation, focus on things like preparation and practice rather than worrying about what the audience might think. 

Be Aware of Your Breath

When you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed, take a few moments to pause and focus on your breath. Taking deep breaths in and out helps you relax your mind and body so that you can face the challenge more clearly. This practice of mindful breathing will give you the peace of mind needed to look at things from a different perspective. 

Be Adaptable and Flexible

Be open to different possibilities and solutions. Don’t be too attached to a certain outcome or way of doing things, as this may limit your problem-solving ability. Be ready to take risks and try new methods for achieving success. A flexible approach ensures you can adjust your strategy if the original plan doesn’t work.

Practice Persistence

Persistence is the willingness to keep going, despite setbacks and challenges. It’s essential to stay focused on your goals and not give up. Despite the odds and outcomes, persistence builds the resilience needed to keep pushing forward. 

Be Self-Compassionate

Being kind and compassionate to yourself when things don’t go as planned is one part of being resilient. Acknowledge your feelings without judging yourself, forgive yourself for mistakes, and recognize that failure is part of the process. This allows you to gracefully move through difficult times while still learning from them.

If you want to be your own best advocate, resilience is a must. It is the difference between giving up and contending for what you want. Through these tips, you can begin to build the clear-headedness and determination needed for successful self-advocacy.