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Posts Tagged: adversity

Become Flexible and Resilient: Tips from ‘The Grit Factor’

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

In her book, “The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World,” air force pilot Shannon Polson lays out what is needed to meet the challenges we encounter in life.

It is not just about surviving or overcoming challenges, but using them to develop the life skills and confidence we need. Throughout the book, she offers exercises that can help us understand our core purpose.

Today on my blog and podcast, I’ll share some crucial points Shannon makes about developing tenacity, perseverance, and using adversity to your advantage.

Accept Adversity and Work With It

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

couple holding hands

When adversity and hardship hit hard, questions and doubts rush to the foreground.

Why? Why me? How could this happen? What did I do wrong?

We experience emotions such as shock, anger, fear, anxiety, and even panic. As comprehension reveals the depth of the problems we face, we may have misgivings about how to successfully resolve them.

It is here we stop and take some calm breaths, and tell ourselves, “Yes, I can.”

While it is important to recognize and affirm our assets, qualities, and strengths, it is equally important to acknowledge our weaker parts. Today on my podcast and blog, I’ll show you three important steps to work with adversity and put self-discipline into practice.

Adversity a Blessing? You’ve Got to be Kidding!  

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Adversity a Blessing? You’ve Got to be Kidding! | Focuswithmarlene.com

Life is full of challenges and sometimes it seems like we are going from one hardship to another with little time to recover between.

But what if we looked at adversity in a different way?

Would we see something of value for us going through hardships and difficult times? Here is a piece I wrote in 2014 about what I learned from adversity.

Adversity a blessing? You’ve got to be kidding!

Who would even consider such a thing? Who wants difficulties? And how can misfortunes or hard times ever be considered a blessing?