[Section] - Personal and Professional Growth
GRIT AND Resilience
Adapting to change supports flexibility (Perseverance) and emotional well-being (Vitality).
Flexibility supports mental and emotional balance (Vitality) and thoughtful decision-making (Inquiry).
Resilience fosters strength through recovery (Perseverance) and emotional health (Vitality).
TABLE OF CONTENTs - GRIT AND Resilience
REFLECT - Self-Reflection Questions To Start The Learning Process
EXPLORE - Core Principles and Concepts About Building Grit and Resilience
EXAMINE - Lessons on Change, Flexibility, and Resilience
ENGAGE - Engaging New Ideas and Applying Them in Daily Life
REFLECT - GRIT AND Resilience
Self-reflection is a powerful tool to increase self-awareness and prepare mentally and emotionally to engage new ideas!
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As you begin to think about you best handle change and resilience in your life, ask yourself the following questions.
How do I usually respond when unexpected changes happen, whether in my personal life, academics, or competition?
When I face setbacks or failures, how do I typically react emotionally and mentally? How long does that feeling last?
How willing am I to try new approaches, learn new skills, or adjust my routines when something is not working right?
EXPLORE - GRIT AND Resilience
Build emotional and practical connections to new ideas!
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Throughout your life, you will face situations that do not always go according to plan. Injuries, changes in schedules, unexpected academic challenges, or personal setbacks are all part of the journey. How you handle these moments says a great deal about your adaptability and resilience. These are skills that help you keep moving forward even when the path becomes difficult.
Change is something that everyone experiences, but not everyone handles it the same way. Some people resist change, hoping that things will return to how they were. Others accept that change is part of growth and look for ways to adjust. The sooner you accept that change is part of life, the more prepared you will be to handle whatever comes your way.
Being flexible allows you to adjust your approach without losing focus on your goals. Flexibility does not mean lowering your personal standards. It means finding different ways to meet challenges when your original plan is no longer possible. Whether you need to adjust your study habits, shift your role on the team, or manage a new schedule, flexibility keeps you steady when circumstances shift.
Adaptability also helps you stay calm under pressure. When you can adjust to new situations without becoming overwhelmed, you allow yourself to stay focused on solutions rather than problems. This skill is especially valuable in competition, where opponents, strategies, or conditions may change quickly, requiring you to adjust in real time.
Resilience is your ability to recover after setbacks. Everyone faces disappointment, whether it is a tough loss, a failed exam, or a personal challenge. Resilience allows you to feel those setbacks, learn from them, then adapt and return with new determination. Without resilience, small setbacks can grow into larger problems that may hold you back from progression.
Developing resilience involves reflection. After a setback, take time to honestly assess what happened. What can you learn? What could you do differently next time? Reflection helps you turn failures into opportunities for growth and improvement rather than sources of discouragement. Educators, coaches, teammates, counselors, and friends can help you process setbacks and encourage you to keep moving forward. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in your potential makes it easier to bounce back after difficult moments.
Grit (as it’s commonly known) and resilience allow you to continually grow stronger with each challenge that you face.
EXAMINE - Change
Change is a constant part of college life and competitive environments, and learning to welcome change is the key to real growth. Stay open-minded, explore new experiences, and adapt to unfamiliar situations with curiosity and confidence. Embracing change builds mental agility, expands your perspective, and unlocks new opportunities for physical, mental, and emotional development.
Change will always happen, in all points of your life. Embrace change to adapt to new environments and grow personally and in competition.
Being open to new experiences lets you explore beyond your program to broaden your horizons and learn things that you didn’t know existed. There’s always something new to learn!
Embrace change to develop flexibility and mental agility. These are two powerful skills in academic, competition, and life.
Be open to new experiences to embrace local and global diversity and expand your worldview. You don’t know how much there is out there that you don’t know!
Seek out new and unknown opportunities for personal and competitive growth. You can always learn something new from anyone at any time!
Being open to new experiences lets you constantly strive for improvement in your skills and find new ones. Skills never have a limit!
Embrace change to develop versatility and excel in different positions or roles as you progress. Versatility is an invaluable skill!
Being open to new and evolving experiences will enhance your problem-solving abilities, making you a more capable leader. Never be afraid to adapt and overcome!
Embracing change cultivates a sense of curiosity letting you explore new strategies, techniques, and approaches to your program. There’s always a different way of looking at things!
Being open to new experiences lets you build a supportive network of connections. Strength and versatility comes from diversity!
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EXAMINE - FLEXIBILITY
Adaptability starts with how you respond to problems. It’s best to approach challenges with creativity, curiosity, and an open mind. By staying flexible, seeking input from others, and learning from feedback, you sharpen your problem-solving skills and increase your ability to succeed in any environment.
Believe in your ability to learn and improve. Approach problem-solving with the mindset that challenges are opportunities to develop new skills and find creative solutions.
Be open to different perspectives. Understand that there can be multiple ways to approach a problem. Embrace diverse viewpoints and seek input from teammates, coaches, and mentors. This will expand your problem-solving repertoire.
Break complex problems into smaller, manageable steps. Create a systematic process that allows you to analyze the situation, identify potential solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness.
Stay curious and ask questions. Be willing to explore alternative options and gather information from various sources. Curiosity fuels adaptability and encourages innovative problem-solving approaches.
Be prepared to adjust your strategies and plans as new information or circumstances arise. Being flexible in problem-solving means being willing to change your approach if a better solution presents itself.
View setbacks as learning opportunities. Analyze past problem-solving experiences to understand what worked, what didn't, and what you can do differently next time. Failure can lead to valuable insights and increased adaptability.
Don't be afraid to try new approaches or ideas. Experimentation allows you to test different solutions and learn from the outcomes. This willingness to explore will enhance your adaptability in problem-solving.
Explore knowledge and skills outside your primary area of expertise. Broadening your understanding of different fields can provide you with a wider range of problem-solving tools and approaches.
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EXAMINE - RESILIENCE
Resilience means bouncing back from setbacks with strength and purpose. Develop a positive mindset, manage stress, and stay motivated during challenges. By caring for your well-being, setting realistic goals, and learning from failure, you build the emotional and mental strength needed to thrive under pressure.
View challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Developing a resilient mindset starts with a willingness to face difficulties head-on and learn from them.
Establish specific, achievable goals that align with your abilities and aspirations. By setting realistic expectations, you'll build confidence and maintain a sense of control over your progress.
Prioritize your physical and mental well-being. Ensure you're getting enough rest, eating nutritious meals, and engaging in activities that recharge you. Taking care of yourself contributes to your overall resilience.
Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you. Build a strong support network of teammates, friends, coaches, and mentors who can provide guidance and help you navigate challenges.
Understand that failure is a natural part of growth. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, analyze them objectively, identify areas for improvement, and use them as stepping stones toward success.
Stay open to change and embrace new experiences. Adaptability allows you to adjust to unexpected circumstances, seize opportunities, and thrive in dynamic environments.
Avoid dwelling on negative thoughts or letting setbacks define your self-worth. Recognize that setbacks are temporary, and maintaining a balanced perspective will help you stay resilient and focused on long-term goals.
Strive for ongoing personal and skill development. Always look for ways to enhance your knowledge, hone your athletic abilities, and expand your horizons. The pursuit of growth will make you more adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges.
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ENGAGE - GRIT AND Resilience
Please look over the following prompts. You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach and/or guest speakers. Think about how these lessons will benefit you most in school, competition, and life!
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QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF :
[Change]
How do you usually respond when something important like a schedule shift, competitive play time, role adjustment, or a major life event changes suddenly? What helps you adapt and overcome in those moments?
[Flexibility]
What does flexibility look like in your daily life? How do you balance being prepared with staying open to new plans or unexpected challenges?
[Resilience]
Can you think of a time when you bounced back from a setback or disappointment? What helped you stay strong mentally or emotionally through that challenge?
QUESTIONS TO ASK OTHERS :
[Change]
How do you help friends, students, or team members manage their own personal change without becoming overwhelmed or discouraged?
[Flexibility]
What does it mean to be flexible in a mentorship, leadership, or coaching role, and how do you model that for others?
[Resilience]
How do you help student-athletes build resilience over time? How do you talk to them when they feel like giving up or backing down?
Additional Resources - GRIT AND Resilience
If you would like to learn more about Grit and Resilience, please consider the following resources!
GRIT AND Resilience
Michael Van Etten - REBOOT - Didactic Tactics LLC - All Rights Reserved