By Angela Mutiso
Why do Resilient People Succeed?
Kwaka, a young, ambitious man, started a timber business after planning it for nearly a year. Despite failing three times, he never gave up. Instead, he analyzed his missteps, found a mentor, and tried again. Today, he manages a hugely successful enterprise, seeing his failures as the foundation of his success.
His victory excited his family and friends, who were beginning to worry about the toll his business failure was taking on him. They were impressed by his resilience.
Challenges are inevitable, whether domestic issues or work-related hurdles. In a world where depression affects over 280 million people globally (WHO), resilience can be a powerful remedy.
Countries like the United States and India report some of the highest rates of depression. It is worth noting that resilience enables individuals to thrive. It helps lift the gloom of depression, builds self-esteem, calms the mind, and creates a more stable, fulfilled life.
What is resilience all about?
The quiet, stubborn strength enables people, communities, and establishments to weather the storm. Resilience is about bouncing forward, as Kwaka did. You can learn, acclimatize, and grow when times are hard. It helps you gain mental strength and emotional balance.
When Kwaka finally succeeded, those close to him who had seen him struggle to make ends meet and become splendidly successful, were keen to know how he changed his mindset or what he did to get where he was. He explained that he started interacting with people who had found themselves in similar situations at some point in their lives and with successful individuals in businesses.
This young entrepreneur realized that he had to understand the real meaning of resilience and practice it. His mentor explained that at the heart of resilience lies a growth mindset and that those who embrace this perspective understand that effort and perseverance can turn failures into stepping stones.
When resilient people experience setbacks, they see growth opportunities rather than impossible obstacles. The support of great relationships further strengthens this forward-thinking outlook, whether it is family, friends, or colleagues, which Kwaka had. A strong network gives you emotional strength and practical guidance, demonstrating that resilience is entrenched in the community as much as within oneself.
The lessons Kwaka learned and shared
These lessons can help people of all ages who are focused, self-driven and know precisely what they want.
- When challenges threaten to overwhelm you, a clear sense of purpose keeps the rugged individual concentrating on the bigger picture.
- Look at difficulties as temporary and manageable.
- Self-care plays a big part in managing your life.
- Mindfulness, regular exercise, and sufficient rest boost physical and mental well-being.
- Being flexible nurtures clarity and emotional balance, which enables you to deal with difficult situations.
Kwaka said he needed to take a break from everything and redefine his life. After interacting with successful people and spending time with his mentors, he discovered that;
- Resilient people manage their reactions thoughtfully by understanding their emotions, strengths, and limitations.
- You can make intentional choices even in chaotic times.
- Resilient individuals combine this awareness with optimism and focus on possibilities rather than problems.
- This positive outlook makes it easy to cope when your circumstances, change and ensure that impetus is not lost even when life takes unexpected turns.
- Resilient people become proactive problem-solvers when situations get tense. They are known to approach difficulties with an analytical mindset.
- At such times, most look for actionable resolutions rather than despairing. Most resilient people are humorous; they understand that humour and playfulness lighten emotional moments and that laughter heals.
- Emotional intelligence strengthens resilience by helping most people to control their emotions and connect with others.
- It permits you to stay calm when stressed.
- You get to understand what is tensing you up, and to relate to those around you.
- This skill enables better relationships and makes handling challenges in all circumstances easier.
- When combined with perseverance, coping with adversity becomes more manageable.
- A resilient individual uses his time well and handles relationships and money reasonably.
- They are a decisive lot, and never stop trying.
Decluttering your space and your mind
Resilience requires you to declutter. Both your physical space and your mind need to be free of clutter to maintain your well-being. A congested mind limits your ability to bounce back and regain your footing. By clearing away physical and mental clutter, you make room for creativity, focus, and recovery. Simplifying your life is about removing things you do not need and making intentional choices that align with your values.
There are several things you can do to bring clarity to your life. It is necessary to stop self-criticism and start believing in yourself. You do this by replacing negative talk with empowering ideas. It would help if you found out what’s truly important to you. It would help if you prioritized your values and goals, it would also help if you tackled one area at a time, whether a room, a drawer, or a task list.
Decluttering is essential. Find time to eliminate items you no longer use or love. Donate, recycle, or sell them. Digital stuff can also clog your space. Organize your digital life by clearing out unnecessary files, emails, and apps.
To make this possible, set aside time, weekly or monthly to maintain your decluttered space. Always practise mindful consumption and do not let clutter build up.
Today, Kwaka goes around communities, uplifting them and explaining how he weathered the storm when he could easily have given up. He says, “Every setback was a lesson, and every failure, a stepping stone. Resilience is not just bouncing back, it’s bouncing forward. When you refuse to give up, you find new paths to success.”
By sharing his journey, Kwaka is giving hope and inspiring more people to become entrepreneurs, offering them valuable business and life skills and tips.
Resilience, then, is a quiet force that empowers people to weather storms and emerge stronger, wiser, and more purposeful. It is easy to give up on life when things are not going your way. So, practice resilience for a better life.
The author is the Editorial Consultant of the Accountant Journal
