3 tips to building resilience in your businessPosted by Nicole CoyneOn August 17, 2020

We so often hear about the need to be more resilient. Whenever I hear that I automatically picture some super hero battling against the evil villains to save the world from impending doom. To be honest running a business can feel like that sometimes, especially during these uncertain times of COVID 19 lockdown restrictions and the future’s uncertainty.

These days we are being challenged and driven to our limits more than ever. We can either choose to give up or we can chose to go on. I choose to go on, but to do it wisely. Working smart, not harder.

If you look up the definition of resilience, the dictionaries and gurus will tell you resilience is all about the ability to bounce back quickly. The ability to recovery quickly after a set back. Resilience is not about pushing through and trying to be a strong, impenetrable force. Sorry super heroes, resilience is not just about strength and brute-force.

Let’s take  a leaf out of a professional athlete’s book. In order for a professional athlete to perform at their optimum for every event and to be able to recovery quickly and bounce back for their next event, they need to follow a very strict routine of training, nutrition, rest and recovery. If we had to apply that methodology to a business owner, it means that if a business owner wants to perform at their optimum every day, to be able to recovery quickly and bounce back from a hard day. They need to follow a strict regime of training, nutrition, rest and recovery.

What does that look like in a business setting? It’s pretty simple, its about following 3 key things:

TRAINING – This would be your routine. Ensuring that you are following a set structured routine every day.

NUTRITION – An essential, but often ignored or forgotten component when building resilience. Professional athletes know that they can train as much as they like, but if they are putting the wrong food into their bodies, they will never perform at their best.

Study after study will re-enforce the fact that what you put in your body, will positively or negatively affect your mood, behaviour and general well being. Healthy body, healthy mind. What are you doing at the moment to ensure you are following a nutritious and healthy diet?

REST AND RECOVERY – Taking breaks to rest and recover is part of building resilience. Athletes who over-train and over work themselves develop injuries, which results in them not perform at their peak and having to retire early.

In business rest and recovery is about putting in strategic stops. Stopping for a tea break, stopping for a lunch break and stopping at a decent hour at the end of the day. It also means to stop thinking about work, when you are off. How can this be achieved? There are a few ways, such as following specific meditation practises, having a sport or a hobby to take your mind off of work. Reading a book, listening to music or socialising with family and friends. Planning holidays and get aways so there is something to look forward to besides work. If you don’t plan for it, guaranteed you will look back after the year and realise that you haven’t had a decent break.

If you want to be more resilient, to bounce back and recovery quickly, then start working smarter not harder. Think like an athlete, build routine, healthy nutritional practices and rest and recovery during your weeks. Remember resilience is about quick recovery, not your endurance levels.