Building Resilience at Work: 4 Ways to Stay Strong & Thrive
- Sonya Barlow
- Feb 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 1
If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that change is the only constant. From adapting to hybrid work models to navigating shifting job expectations, resilience has never been more important.
Change inevitably brings challenges, and dealing with them can be tough – especially in the workplace, where we face deadlines, demands, and unexpected obstacles. That’s where resilience comes in.
Resilience is our ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt in the face of difficulty. It doesn’t mean we won’t experience stress, overwhelm, or anxiety – it means we’re better equipped to handle them.
The best part? Resilience isn’t fixed; it’s a skill you can develop to improve both your work life and overall well-being.
Here are four practical ways to build resilience at work.
1. Remember your why.
Resilient people often have a strong sense of purpose which allows them to remain committed and press forward when experiencing knockbacks. Knowing what your purpose is and what motivates you can be the push factor you need when you are facing challenges.
Try and make remembering your why a part of your daily routine, whether it be writing it down whilst you are having your coffee in the morning or just reflecting while you have a few minutes to spare.
If you are struggling with a particular task or project, aim to keep in mind the end goal. This will help you focus on the bigger picture rather than zoning into what is bugging you.
Don’t forget that your work matters and contributes to something bigger than the difficulty at hand.
2. Remember your power
When we experience overwhelm, it can feel like we have lost control, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we always have the power to create change.
Whilst being challenged at work, some actions you could take include:
Identify immediate priorities — you can’t do everything. Find what is urgent and specific deadlines.
Get started — (sometimes the hardest part), so once you have started, you are set!
Find someone with knowledge — you may be responsible for an area, but you don’t have to do things alone. Try and benefit from the knowledge of those around you.
Give yourself a head start — if you have a never-ending to-do list, wake up earlier and give yourself a greater chance of completing it.
3. Strengthen your connections
Our connections play a valuable role in helping us work through our setbacks. You will most likely find the weight of a problem feels lighter once shared. Aim to build trusted connections within the workplace and in your personal life that you can freely confide in.
Try to develop a good relationship with your manager or those you work alongside so that you can easily communicate what you are finding challenging and work together to find appropriate solutions.
You can also expand your network by getting involved in wider projects, reaching out to new colleagues, and participating in colleague-led internal groups to meet more people across your organisation.
4. Be your own champion
Do not demand perfection from yourself or ever expect yourself to do the impossible. Instead, reward yourself for making progress, no matter how small.
That feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction is key in allowing us to press forward.
You could even make a timeline or written records of your work achievements as inspiration when you need to remind yourself of what you are capable of.
Resilient people can reframe bad situations and use them as opportunities for growth. Even when you make mistakes or don’t feel you have delivered on a project, use this as a learning opportunity and think about how it can strengthen your character and help you do better next time.
This blog contribution was made by Kahlicia Hurley.
Kahlicia is a Law Graduate and Policy Assistant at Association of British Insurers and enjoys working with young people. Passionate about understanding the human experience & human beings. Intuitive & observant. Seeks to write with meaning and impact. Loves to write and share her insight from experience. Enjoys adding her unique perspective.
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