Books
Micro-Resilience: Minor Shifts for Major Boosts in Focus, Drive, and Energy
A great resource for developing resilience is entitled Micro-Resilience: Minor Shifts for Major Boosts in Focus, Drive, and Energy by Bonnie St. John and Allen P. Haines. This quick and easy read is filled with stories of real-world situations faced by people who have effectively overcome adversity. They provide tips and techniques that we can all use in our day-to-day lives.
In this story-filled, research-based book on the power turning adversity into opportunity, Stephen Joseph affirms and stretches conventional thinking about traumatic events.Recognizing that traumatic experiences can have debilitating and long-lasting implications for our lives, he also explores the new science that shows how challenges can be a catalyst for growth.
Stephen Joseph, Ph.D. shares three existential themes at the core of post-traumatic growth:
- Life is uncertain and things will change.
- We must learn how our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are related to each other.
- Sense of responsibility for our choices in life and awareness that choices have consequences will help us grow.
Joseph shares powerful stories about people whose lives are forever changed through traumatic events. Through these experiences they have developed a greater sense of self, clearer views of life and their priorities, and stronger relationships with others. He highlights the power of the “wake-up call” that helps us appreciate the uncertainty and fragility of life.
Articles
The science of understanding post-traumatic growth began to develop in 1996. Below are some articles that describe the inception of this field of study and understanding the power of adversity for our positive advancement.
The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: Measuring the Positive Legacy of Trauma by Richard G. Tedeschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun
Post-traumatic Growth by Jenna Van Slyke, M.S.
In this article, Anthony Mancini and two other researchers examined the question: Can People Benefit From Acute Stress? Social Support, Psychological Improvement, and Resilience After the Virginia Tech Campus Shootings
Harvard Business Review: "Surprises Are the New Normal; Resilience Is the New Skill"
In an article published by Harvard Business Review in July 2013, Rosabeth Moss Kanter writes, “Resilience draws from strength of character, from a core set of values that motivate efforts to overcome the setback and resume walking the path to success. It involves self-control and willingness to acknowledge one’s own role in defeat. Resilience also thrives on a sense of community – the desire to pick oneself up because of an obligation to others and because of support from others who want the same thing.”
Click here to access the article.
Videos
TED Talk: "How to Make Stress Your Friend"
In this video, Kelly McGonical presents an unconventional way to view stress – as a strengthening factor that can actually bring good to our lives if managed properly.
Click here to view the video.
Organizations
The American Psychological Association offers resources on building resilience. Here is one of their pages titled The Road To Resilience.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has a Post Traumatic Growth Research Group in their Department of Psychology that is devoted to research and theory on the processes underlying posttraumatic growth. Their website allows you to gain an understanding of posttraumatic growth, and resources related to existing research.
