Building Resilience—Staying Strong When the Road Gets Tough

Resilience. It’s that inner strength we tap into when the road to our dreams gets tough, and let’s face it—things don’t always go according to plan. In my latest episode of Journey of a Dreamer, we’re talking about how to stay strong, keep going, and even thrive when challenges arise. If you’ve ever felt like giving up when things don’t go your way, this one’s for you.

The Tough Days Are Building Blocks

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems like the universe is throwing every possible challenge your way? Like no matter what you do, nothing’s going right? I’ve had plenty of those days, and there were times when I was so close to giving up. But what I’ve learned is that these tough moments are the ones that build resilience, even when it doesn’t feel like it at the time.

One personal story I love sharing is about a project I was excited to launch. Everything was mapped out, and I thought it would be smooth sailing. But as you might guess, things didn’t go according to plan. It felt like I was constantly taking two steps back for every step forward. And while I wanted to quit many times, something inside me kept saying, You’ve come this far—don’t stop now.

That project didn’t turn out exactly how I envisioned, but it taught me so much. I learned how to adapt, how to be flexible, and how to keep going even when things weren’t working out. And looking back, that’s when I realized I had built resilience—not because things were easy, but because I kept going when they were hard.

Building Resilience Is a Process

Resilience is like a muscle—the more you work it, the stronger it gets. It’s not about never falling down; it’s about getting back up every time you do. And it’s not always about big dramatic comebacks either. Sometimes resilience looks like just getting out of bed and deciding to try again, even when you feel like you’ve got nothing left in the tank.

One of my clients faced a career setback when they didn’t get a promotion they had worked hard for. They felt defeated, but instead of giving up, we worked together to adjust their approach, and they eventually landed an even better opportunity. This experience taught them the power of resilience and how adjusting can lead to unexpected success.

When was the last time you faced a situation where everything seemed to go wrong? Maybe it wasn’t a big project, but just a tough day where you felt like throwing in the towel. Every time you push through those moments, you’re building resilience.

Adjusting Is Part of the Journey

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about resilience is that it’s not about sticking rigidly to a plan. It’s about being flexible and adjusting when things change. Sometimes life throws you curveballs, and those curveballs often lead to better things than you imagined.

I used to be a perfectionist. I wanted everything to go exactly as planned, but I’ve learned that the best growth happens when you adjust. For example, another project I worked on didn’t go as I had hoped, but when I stopped fighting the changes and leaned into them, the project turned out even better than I originally envisioned. If things aren’t going according to plan for you right now, take a deep breath. It’s okay to pivot. Sometimes that’s where the real magic happens.

Think about a time when things didn’t go as planned. How did you adjust? What did you learn from that experience? These moments are building your resilience without you even realizing it.

3 Ways to Build Resilience Today

If you want to start building resilience now, here are a few simple steps you can take:

1. Reflect on past challenges: Take time to think about situations where things didn’t go your way. How did you overcome them? What did you learn?

2. Make time for self-care: You can’t be resilient if you’re running on empty. Whether it’s extra sleep, mindfulness, or doing something you love, recharging is crucial.

3. Practice adjusting: The next time something doesn’t go as planned, instead of feeling frustrated, think of it as an opportunity to pivot. Try a new approach and see what happens.

Self-Care Is Key to Resilience

You can’t be resilient if you’re running on empty. Burnout is the enemy of resilience. If you’re constantly pushing yourself without taking time to rest and recharge, it becomes harder to keep going. Think about the last time you tried to push through a tough time when you were totally exhausted. It’s so much harder, right?

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths or spa days—it’s about making sure you’re in a place where you can keep going. Whether that’s getting extra sleep, taking a day off, or doing something you love, make time for it. Recharging is just as important as pushing through the hard moments.

Challenge Yourself

Here’s a little challenge for you: take a few minutes today to think about a time when you faced something tough but found a way to bounce back. What helped you keep going? How did you adjust? What did you learn from that experience? Reflecting on those moments helps you see that you’re already more resilient than you think.

Final Thoughts

The path to your dreams won’t always be smooth, but every challenge you face is building your resilience. Every time you get back up, you’re getting stronger. If you want to keep the conversation going, connect with me on Instagram at @hirayacoaching, or head over to www.hirayacoaching.com to book a free consultation. Let’s work together to build your resilience and take those next steps toward your dreams.