Breaking my wrist has been a challenging journey, but it’s also been a profound lesson in resilience. As someone who thrives on being fast-paced and efficient, this injury has forced me to slow down and trust the process. Here’s what I’ve learned about resilience through my recovery and rehabilitation, along with some do’s and don’ts to help you build resilience in your own life.

Trust the Process for Resilience

Trusting the process has been one of the hardest lessons for me. I’m used to moving quickly and efficiently, but the pain and the slow progress have been frustrating. When the back splint was finally taken off my wrist, I was shocked to see my hand. The muscles had deteriorated so much that it looked like a fake, badly produced rubber hand. This was especially difficult because it was my dominant hand, my left hand. However, I’ve been seeing and feeling gradual improvements. It’s a slow and incremental journey, but I know it’s not a race—it’s a marathon. The surgeons have told me to expect a 90% functional return in my wrist, and while I don’t know what that will look like, I know I have to trust the process.

Adopting a Sense of Humor: A Key to Resilience

Ask for Help to Build Resilience

Asking for help is one of the most important traits of resilient people. Many of us resist asking for help because we see it as a flaw or a sign of weakness. We want to be independent and autonomous in our professional lives. However, the most resilient people are not only comfortable asking for help but also know when and who to ask for assistance. My broken wrist has reminded me to make good use of the help available to me, whether it’s from my family, my occupational therapist, or other support services.

Three Tips for Building Resilience Based on My Journey

1. Trust the Process

2. Maintain a Sense of Humor

3. Ask for Help

Three Things Not to Do When Building Resilience

1. Don’t Rush the Process

2. Don’t Neglect Your Sense of Humor

3. Don’t Resist Asking for Help

My broken wrist has been a journey of resilience, teaching me to trust the process, maintain a sense of humor, and ask for help. These lessons are not only helping me through my recovery but also shaping my approach to life’s challenges. Remember, resilience isn’t about how quickly we bounce back, but how we navigate and grow through the process. By following these do’s and don’ts, you can cultivate resilience in your own life and face challenges with strength and optimism.

Curious how resilient you are? Why not try our Resilient Leader Scorecard.