There will always be a gap between how we plan life and how it unfolds. The gaps can be due to unmet expectations, unfinished business, lack of knowledge and awareness, inadequate support, an unskilled team, etc. How one deals with these gaps can be either a deal breaker or a deal maker.

But the question is, is it simple and doable to deal with adversity? Probably, the answer is no. Is it impossible? The answer is no again.

Everyone has a response to adversity. The concept of Adversity Quotient, pioneered by Dr. Paul Stoltz, characterised people into three categories:

  • Quitters are the one who gives up quickly. These kinds of people mostly will have tendency to complain, externalise blame, and have a victim mindset.
  • Campers figure out safe ways. These people will drive in the safe lanes and be comfortable with the good that life has to offer.
  • Climbers shine through obstacles. They are resilient souls, they recalibrate.

Recalibration is an intentional adjustment one is willing to make to align the existing plan, action, or goal with a new circumstance.

Often, people get stressed out not because they don’t know what to do the next, but because they experience a freeze phenomenon at the sight of the problem and the complexity of it.

Dealing with adversity is not about unreasonable control, but about learning crisis management, where experience, exposure, knowledge, skills, wisdom, and presence of mind come to play.

The first step to being responsive to adversity is knowing adversity may occur. Awareness leads to acceptance, which further helps one to be in the present and do the needful to mitigate risk and damage, or change the course with time. It allows better emotional regulation for self and others.

Ask and offer support. Reluctance to develop adversity quotient may result in learnt anxious behaviour which can at times be reflected through controlling behaviour, perfectionist or self-critical tendencies, or feeling off the grid.

Needless to say, a well-rested mind and body deliver better productivity and efficiency than a fatigued mind and body.

Dealing with adversity needs a plan and strategy that can be put into action. It also needs preparing oneself well, but not overdoing or going to extremes.

Pause and assess:

Take a step back and process what happened. Allow yourself time to regulate your emotions. Unregulated emotions can lead to acting out of frustration and impulsive actions.

Leverage your network:

Involve trusted sources. You might be the best, but there is a high probability that your judgement is clouded due to mental fatigue or shock. Trusted resources can notice unseen or confirm your problem-solving approach. It helps to build confidence and reduce trauma response in the long run.

Mindset:

Words of encouragement for self and for others matters the most in such critical times. Being realistic, being helpful, and guiding people through hard times can help them get back to the business quicker than expected. It adds to a learning mindset than a blaming mindset.

Evaluate:

Know the hidden strength and potential you have. It is a worth noting how one can grow and evolve through the storms and still have firm holdings. Resilience in real sense is like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

In testing times, a calm mind is an asset.

Note where you can do better when dealing with adverse situations:

Professionally

Personally


If you or someone you know are struggling with their experience on board, please feel free to reach out to the in-house counsellors, Ms. Harshali Kotekar (hr2@executiveship.com) and Ms. Glenda D’Silva (welfare2@samundra.com).