People who face adversity but keep moving forward in life usually display these 7 behaviors

Tina Fey by Tina Fey | August 29, 2024, 2:15 am

Life isn’t always a smooth road. Sometimes, it’s about facing roadblocks, detours, and potholes but still keeping your eyes on the destination.

There’s a distinct type of resilience displayed by those who encounter adversity yet continue to move forward. They aren’t just lucky – they possess certain behaviors that help them navigate through life’s challenges.

In my years as a relationship expert and founder of the Love Connection blog, I’ve noticed that these individuals often exhibit seven key behaviors.

So buckle up, as we delve into these behaviors that could turn life’s hurdles into stepping stones.

1) Embrace optimism

Life is a mix of sun and storms, but those who face adversity and keep moving forward have a common trait: Optimism.

Optimism is not about ignoring the harsh realities or painting a rosy picture of everything. It’s about embracing a positive outlook towards life, even when things don’t go your way.

And it’s not just wishful thinking. Experts have pointed out that an optimistic attitude can help you cope with stress, improve your health, and even increase your lifespan.

People who persevere through adversity are often those who see the glass as half full rather than half empty. They believe in brighter days ahead and use this optimism to fuel their journey forward.

2) Embrace failure

This might seem counterintuitive: why would someone embrace failure?

But those who power through adversity understand something fundamental: failure isn’t the end, it’s a stepping stone towards success.

Failure, for these people, is not a dead end but an opportunity to learn, grow, and become stronger. They view setbacks not as a sign of incompetence but as feedback indicating where they need to improve or change their approach.

Bottom line? Life is full of ups and downs. But by embracing failure as part of the journey rather than an obstacle, you can keep moving forward no matter what adversity you face.

3) Cultivate self-awareness

People who face adversity and keep moving forward are often deeply aware of their own strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers. They understand that self-awareness is key to navigating life’s challenges.

In the process of writing my book, Breaking The Attachment: How To Overcome Codependency in Your Relationship, I delved deep into understanding how our self-awareness plays a crucial role in shaping our responses to adversity.

It’s about acknowledging your emotions, understanding your reactions, and knowing what drives you. This awareness enables you to make conscious decisions instead of letting your emotions take the wheel.

So start today – take some time for introspection. Understand your feelings, acknowledge your strengths, and work on your weaknesses. Trust me; it’s a game-changer!

4) Practice resilience

Resilience is a crucial trait of people who face adversity head-on and keep moving forward. They understand that life is a blend of good times and bad, and the key to survival is to keep going no matter what.

I’ve faced my fair share of challenges in life, and it’s resilience that has been my armor through it all. It’s about the ability to bounce back, dust off the hardships, and continue on your journey.

As the great Maya Angelou once said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

Resilience isn’t about avoiding adversity but learning to deal with it. It’s about understanding that setbacks are temporary and that they don’t define you.  

5) Maintain a strong support network

No man is an island, and this old adage rings especially true when faced with adversity. Those who manage to keep moving forward usually maintain a strong network of friends, family, and mentors who provide emotional support, advice, and encouragement during challenging times.

I can vouch for this from personal experience. My support network has been my rock during my darkest hours. They’ve cheered me on when I felt like giving up, offered perspective when I was stuck, and celebrated my victories, big and small.

It’s important to remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a strength. It shows that you understand the importance of connection and are willing to lean on others when needed.

6) Adopt a growth mindset

People who face adversity and keep moving forward don’t view challenges as insurmountable obstacles; instead, they see them as opportunities for growth and learning.

This is all about adopting a growth mindset, a concept that I’ve personally embraced. With a growth mindset, you believe that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.

Albert Einstein once said, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” This is the essence of a growth mindset – the understanding that we can always learn, adapt, and improve.

If you’re interested in learning more about overcoming adversity and other topics related to personal growth and relationships, feel free to follow me on Facebook. You’ll get my latest articles delivered right to your feed. Just click here to follow the journey – let’s grow together!

7) Acknowledge the pain

Let’s get real here. Life can be tough. Sometimes, brutally so. Those who face adversity and continue moving forward understand something essential: It’s okay to acknowledge the pain.

They don’t sugarcoat their feelings or pretend everything’s fine when it’s not. They allow themselves to feel the pain, to grieve, and to express their emotions. They understand that it’s a part of the healing process.

Pretending that everything is okay when it isn’t can be incredibly draining and detrimental to your mental health. Acknowledging your feelings doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human.

The chemistry of resilience

In life, we all face adversity. How we respond to these challenges makes all the difference.

Our internal chemistry plays a role. Just as introverts find solace in solitude due to acetylcholine, perhaps those who face adversity with resilience and optimism have a unique blend of emotional intelligence that is chemically rooted.

Or it might be the behaviors we cultivate: embracing optimism, learning from failure, being self-aware, building resilience, having a strong support network, maintaining a growth mindset, and acknowledging pain. These help us navigate challenges more effectively.

The interplay between our biochemistry and behaviors is complex. But by fostering these behaviors, we can build resilience and move forward in life, no matter what we face.

To explore resilience further, I recommend Justin Brown’s video on “The Illusion of Happiness” and why chasing it can make us miserable. It aligns with embracing challenges, fostering relationships, and staying true to oneself.

YouTube video

It’s an honest exploration of what it truly means to be content and how we can foster this state within ourselves. I hope you find it as enlightening as I did.

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