We all face unprecedented pressure to defend our choices, justify why things haven’t worked immediately or check our phone for the bombardment of others seemingly doing better than us.
This is driven by the need to be validated by others, constant comparison and a toxic culture that says if it is not immediate then it is worth less.
Doing the next right thing becomes harder when it is not the easy choice.
Who feels it most?
Young people and students get the worst deal here. They get labelled as flaky because they are different in the way they approach the world. Yet the people applying the labels are just using their own experience and values as the blueprint.
Whether it be uncertainty over identity, relationships, career, traditional expectations, students are treading not a minefield of uncertainty. This is not an environment free from anxiety.
Why is Grit and Healthy Coping so important?
Research shows that being gritty—sticking with things that are important to you and an ability to bounce back from failure—is an essential component of success. Achievement is in the perseverance, the courage to try and to realise that mistakes and failures are just steppingstones to personal fulfilment.
What can I do?
There are several things that students can do to improve grit and develop coping skills. Here’s a Top 7 to get you thinking:
- Practice self-care: Taking care of your physical and emotional needs is important for building resilience. This can include getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
- Seek support: Building a strong support network of friends, family, and trusted adults can help you cope with challenges and build resilience.
- Learn to manage stress: Developing stress management techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help you cope with stress and improve resilience.
- Set goals and take action: Having a sense of purpose and working towards goals can help build resilience and a sense of accomplishment.
- Learn from challenges and setbacks: Failures or setbacks are opportunities to learn and grow in disguise. Every person who is successful has experience many failures or setbacks along the way. This mindset builds resilience and a sense of determination
- Practice gratitude: Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help shift your perspective and improve resilience. Your can’t be grateful and feel sorry for yourself at the same time.
- Seek professional help: If you are struggling to cope with challenges or build resilience, seek help from a professional. We blend developing coping skills with mindset frameworks which when applied together set you up for success.