FEBRUARY 21
What is it that enables some of us to persevere in overcoming obstacles and setbacks that, otherwise, subjugate the less disciplined and less committed? Simple - it is self-discipline.
Here's why. When a self-disciplined individual is faced with adversity, they riseto the challenge and often emerge stronger than ever before. Besides, they also muster their inner resources to find creative solutions to the challenges on hand.
They also are persistent in the pursuit of a goal to which they are committed fully.
All of us have such an attribute in some measure. It's only a question of knowing it- because, each one of us has untapped resources within us. At the right time, such deep wellsprings of will power and creativity are discharged like magic, from somewhere; also, somehow.
In reality, however, it is not as easy as it sounds, primarily because people differ considerably in their ability to bounce back from setbacks. At the same time, there's a certain paradox.
Some people, for instance, are remarkably resilient, while others seem to throw in the towel pronto when faced with a minor disappointment. But most of us fall somewhere in-between the two extremes.
You ought to first know and understand your capacity to bounce back in the wake of a 'storm'. This is something that sets the tone for enhancing your resiliency. This means just two things: one, you've got to test your resiliency; and, two, promote your recovery through positive thinking. We all know that great comebacks are fuelled by large doses of optimism, positive thinking and affirmatives elf-talk.
Failed comebacks, on the contrary, are often 'energised' by pessimism and negative thinking. To put it differently, a person who readily overcomes adversity exercises self-discipline - to think positively. The trick, therefore, is you'd use as many aphorisms as possible to think positively. Some examples: 'Don't give up'. 'This too will pass'. 'Success, or happiness, is just around the corner'.
Most importantly, you've got to visualise a positive conclusion to prompt yourself to using all your creative energies to making your expectations come true.
Yet another thing is fundamental - never waste time commiserating over adverse events. Also, don't you ever wallow in self-pity. Just think of robust cases of individuals who have overcome adversity. In the words of noted psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, "Resilient people are good at transforming chaos into order."
What's more, they're able to mend seemingly hopeless situations and convert them into an activity they can control and also relish.
A version of this article appears in the print on February 22, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
