The Resilience Toolkit for Turbulent Times
The recent election left me with a whirlwind of emotions. Like many, I’m feeling a mix of disappointment, uncertainty, and a deep sense of loss for the future I’d envisioned. But instead of letting these feelings overwhelm me, I’m trying to turn inward, to look at how I can transform these emotions into something constructive—not just for myself, but for the people, communities and nature around me.
Through my involvement with the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), I’ve found framework that helps me navigate organizations towards regeneration thoughtfully and productively.
At such a history-altering time, I thought it would do me good to also put it into practice for myself.
The IDGs are organized into five dimensions—Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting—and each one speaks to a set of skills that help me approach complex situations with resilience, empathy, and purpose. Using this framework has helped me not only manage my own emotions but also consider how I can be a regenerative voice for my community.
Here’s how each of these dimensions can serve as a roadmap for anyone looking to find clarity and agency in uncertain times.
Deepening My Relationship with Myself
The “Being” dimension focuses on cultivating an intentional relationship with myself—my values, thoughts, and emotions. It reminds me that true resilience starts from within.
Inner Compass: I’ve been reconnecting with my core values, letting them act as my guide through challenging times. This sense of direction is invaluable, grounding me when external events feel destabilizing.
Integrity and Authenticity: Staying true to myself has been a constant challenge but an important one. By showing up authentically—even when it feels vulnerable—helps me to navigate this period with a stronger sense of self.
Openness and Learning Mindset: I’m working to approach this period with curiosity, seeing it as an opportunity to grow. This mindset of openness helps me embrace change, which, while challenging, is also an invitation to adapt and evolve.
Self-awareness: Understanding my own emotional responses—anger, disappointment, and even fear—helps me approach these feelings with compassion instead of judgment. Self-awareness provides a realistic view of myself and lets me regulate my reactions rather than becoming overwhelmed. (P.S. Even with the awareness, managing my reactions is still proving not that easy.)
Presence: Practicing presence allows me to stay grounded in the moment. Instead of letting worries about the future consume me, I focus on being here and now, open and aware without judgment. This skill has been invaluable for maintaining mental clarity and resilience.
Expanding My Cognitive Skills
The “Thinking” dimension encourages me to view the world as a complex, interconnected system and approach problems with a broader perspective. These skills help me navigate uncertainty with more clarity.
Critical Thinking: In a time of information overload, critical thinking is essential. I’m learning to question the validity of news, opinions, and even my own assumptions, which helps me stay informed without being misled.
Complexity Awareness: Recognizing the complexity of the situation—understanding that there are numerous factors and causalities at play—helps me avoid simplistic views. Complexity awareness lets me see the world in shades of gray, making space for multiple truths and perspectives.
Perspective Skills: Actively seeking out contrasting viewpoints is a powerful practice. It’s challenging, but understanding other perspectives—even if I don’t agree—broadens my empathy and gives me a more comprehensive view of the world.
Sense-making: This skill has helped me structure and make sense of the unknown. By connecting the dots and consciously creating a story around what’s happening, I’m able to process emotions and understand the context more clearly.
Long-term Orientation and Visioning: Focusing on the bigger picture and keeping my long-term vision in mind helps me stay committed to values and goals that transcend the present moment. This skill encourages me to think beyond the immediate situation and consider the future I want to work toward.
Cultivating Care for Others
The “Relating” dimension emphasizes a compassionate connection with others, reminding me that personal growth and collective well-being are deeply intertwined.
Appreciation: I’m trying to focus on gratitude—for the people in my life, the opportunities to connect, and even the challenges that push me to grow. Appreciation is a simple but profound way to stay connected to a sense of joy and positivity, even in difficult times.
Connectedness: This period has reminded me of my interconnectedness with others. Knowing that we’re all part of a larger whole—our communities, humanity, the planet—strengthens my sense of responsibility and care for those around me.
Humility: Recognizing that I’m just one piece of a larger puzzle helps me approach this moment with humility. Rather than focusing on my own importance, I’m learning to act in a way that serves the broader needs of my community and society.
Empathy and Compassion: Practicing empathy toward others, especially those who feel differently, is essential. Compassion allows me to address not just my own suffering but also the struggles of others, creating a foundation for meaningful connections and shared healing.
Collective pRACTICE
The “Collaborating” dimension focuses on building the social skills necessary to work with others toward common goals. It reminds me that meaningful change happens when we come together.
Communication Skills: Open and respectful communication is key to building understanding. By practicing active listening and learning to express my views constructively, I’m creating space for genuine dialogue, even in challenging conversations.
Co-creation Skills: Collaborating with others to create solutions has been empowering. Co-creation isn’t just about working together; it’s about fostering a space where everyone feels safe to contribute, where we’re building something meaningful collectively.
Inclusive Mindset and Intercultural Competence: Embracing diverse viewpoints and backgrounds enriches my understanding of the world. Inclusivity isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for creating solutions that consider everyone’s needs.
Trust: Building and maintaining trust within my community is foundational. Trust allows us to work together more effectively, creating a shared sense of purpose and resilience.
Mobilization Skills: Inspiring and motivating others to engage with shared goals has been a rewarding challenge. Mobilization is about fostering energy and commitment toward collective action, which is key in times of uncertainty.
Intentions into aCTION
The “Acting” dimension gives me the agency to translate my values into concrete actions, guiding me to make a meaningful impact, even in small ways.
Courage: Facing challenging situations with courage—whether by standing up for my values or making difficult decisions—has been empowering. Courage is about taking action, even when the path ahead is unclear or uncomfortable.
Creativity: I’m learning to think outside the box, finding new ways to contribute positively. Creativity encourages me to innovate, challenge norms, and explore original ideas that may inspire others.
Optimism: Holding onto optimism allows me to sustain hope, even in tough times. It’s not about ignoring the difficulties but believing in the possibility of meaningful change and communicating that hope to others.
Perseverance: Staying committed to my goals, even when progress is slow, is a practice in patience and determination. Perseverance reminds me that change often takes time, and that every small effort matters.
The Inner Development Goals have offered me a way to make sense of my emotions, stay grounded, and work toward something constructive. This framework doesn’t promise easy solutions, but it helps me approach challenges with a renewed sense of purpose, compassion, and resilience. By focusing on these dimensions—Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting—I’m finding that even in uncertainty, there’s a pathway to growth, connection, and positive change.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, these skills can serve as a guide to help you navigate complexity and create meaningful impact.
Together, by working on ourselves and supporting each other, we’re laying the foundation for a future that reflects our values and our hopes.
#juntas #juntos
