Resilience and Endurance
In life we are often finding ourselves emptying our resilience tanks and needing to endure tough times. Let’s start with what I mean here by resilience and endurance. The classic definition of resilience is the ability to recover quickly from tough times or events, and the definition of endurance is the ability to last or withstand a difficult situation without giving in. I believe that in life both are important qualities to pay attention to. You may be wondering why I have been thinking about this during the week?
Well, we have big plans to deliver on and so we have a lot to fit into our working weeks. Our Global Leadership team were meeting in Nashville USA this week. These are the senior leaders of the biggest geographies and brands globally. We all have busy schedules don't we so I was sat working out how to be in multiple places at once, I am sure you find yourself doing that often too? It was important to me that I spend time with this key group of people, helping to drive our growth plans forwards.
I also realised that if I was to keep my other commitments, I would have to go out one day and return overnight the next . This was going to be a tough ask of myself. I am sure you will have your own versions of these type of asks you place on yourself. It’s hard isn’t it? When I arrived back in the UK yesterday I was really feeling the downside of pushing myself and not getting enough sleep. That balanced against the incredible positives of being present with the Global Leaders was really worth the trade off and I was glad I had committed to that.
It got me thinking in a really timely way to the Nash Squared games that many of us have been participating in over the past 21 days. Exercise is such an important part of building both resilience and endurance. Being part of the games, doing my part, albeit not brilliantly, in building up kilometres on the GoJoe app was so beneficial. Fitting in time to get out for a walk, a run, a bike ride, or taking time to put in some time to practice yoga really is an investment in ‘me’.
It can be a challenge to find the time but the pay back is immediate I find. My mental health is improved at the same time as my physical health. I bounce back from minor illnesses and tiredness from lengthy flights and time zone changes so much quicker when I put in time to building up my resilience tank through exercise, sleep, relaxation and the choices of food and drink I make. It means that I am able to endure tougher times without any lasting issues.
I have made the commitment as we come towards the end of the Nash Squared world games this year that I will continue to make the investment in exercise, sleep and nutrition. What commitments will you make to keep your resilience tanks topped up to enable you to endure the tougher moments in life?
I do hope you enjoyed the games and the online closing ceremony.
As we head towards the weekend do take time for you to rest and recuperate. Keep safe and well.