Welcome to Motivational Mondays, your weekly (PEP) Proactive, Empowered, Performance talk with Mark Kent.
Another week has passed , and it has been a good one; great weather plus a long weekend to rejuvenate your mind and body.
So have you applied some of the concepts of motivation to become more empowered? Have you thought of Resilience and how important it can be in maintaining motivation?
This week I would like to discuss FLEXIBILITY as a key component in the ability to maintain Resilience in the face of adversity, and life's challenges.
Last week I said Resilience is not so much a reaction as it is a response of purpose.
FLEXIBILITY however is how you respond to life's challenges. It is in fact a coping style that determines how much energy you spend in resolving daily issues whether big or small.
For some FLEXIBILITY may be seen as a weakness, an inability to make a stand or to react in a formidable way when challenged by life's stressors.
Actually it's just the opposite. I will illustrate by telling you a personal experience.
Over 20 years ago a large ship became stranded off the shores of Nova Scotia. This was an awesome sight and drew the curiosities of many as it lay on its side while being battered by huge waves.
I remember walking down a path and eventually standing upon a rock as I watched these ferocious waves lash against this mighty iron ship. I then looked down on the rock I was standing upon, which had a piece of attached seaweed, and noticed that it flowed with the oscillation of these mighty waves with no resistance at all.
Approximately 5 years later I was in the area and was curious as to what may have happened to this mighty ship.
I stood on the same rock and was shocked to see that this ship no longer existed in its previous form. This great ship of iron and steel succumbed to the endless onslaught of the waves.
I then looked down and there was that same piece of seaweed, still attached to the rock effortlessly flowing back and forth with the waves.
You could literally tear this piece of seaweed with your own hands, yet it was stronger and more resilient than the great ship that was destroyed by the relentless bashing of the waves.
Flexibility is really the ability to adjust, and problem solve on the basis of what's in your best interest in the long run, as opposed to the emotional brain's need to react upon what's right in the moment.
In fact what's best, does not always line up with what's right, and it's those who are flexible enough to view each situation from this perspective that have a better chance of coping with the waves of life's challenges, while those who are rigid, resistant and impervious to change often suffer the same fate as the mighty ship.
I once read a poem that capitulates this concept.
IN THIS PLOT LIES JONATHEN GRAY, WHO DIED DEFENDING HIS RIGHT OF WAY, HE WAS RIGHT ALL RIGHT, YES HE WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG, BUT HE'S JUST AS DEAD IF HE HAD BEEN WRONG.
So To develop resilience in your life, learn to become more flexible, step back, do not react immediately to distressing situations, chances are within 24 hours your perspective will be totally different.
Allow the rational brain a chance to move in and respond on the basis of what's in your best interest, as opposed to what's right.
This coping approach is based upon accepting and adjusting to the reality you’re presented with, rather than what you think oughta, woulda, coulda, shoulda happen.
Bemoaning, moping, and resenting the perceived unfairness of the universe can ultimately strand your ship upon the shore and no matter how much you resist the waves will continue to roll in.
Always ask WHAT'S IN MY BEST INTEREST? This will help you develop flexibility, which in turn will economize your emotional and behavioural responses to everyday stressors and more so the larger challenges in your life.
Next week I will discuss with you another important aspect of Resilience and that is developing a flexible time table.
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Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.
To your Empowerment, Productivity, and Motivation
Mark
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