The business world can be wild and chaotic. So can your personal life. Some people thrive under this constant pressure. Others don't. What's the difference? It often comes down to resilience. The more resilient you are, the better your chance to survive and keep your sanity in the face of hardship and unsettling change.

re·sil·ience (noun) :

1. speedy recovery from problems: the ability to recover quickly from setbacks

2. elasticity: the ability of matter to spring back quickly into shape after being bent, stretched, or deformed

(Source: Encarta Dictionary)

Some people seem to have a natural ability to handle crises, while others lose themselves in fear and anxiety. If you are not naturally resilient, you can still greatly increase your ability to cope with the unexpected by learning how to manage your stress and by focusing on the immediate problem.

Denial doesn't work. Your problems will not magically disappear if you don't deal with them. Likewise, dwelling on your problems creates an unhealthy amount of anxiety.

The key is to be realistic and take action. Treat a challenge in life as you would a difficult project at work. Face the challenge, take action and move on.

Stay positive

Every one of us is different, and so are our needs and approaches to handling stressful situations. Some reach out to spirituality, others to family and friends. Some seek the mutual assistance of a support group, while others believe they are strong enough to rely on themselves. There is no single right answer; do whatever it takes, but do something.

Rely on your support team

You needn't handle adversity by yourself. Be willing to accept help from friends, colleagues and family. Asking for assistance does not make you "weak". Everyone makes mistakes in life and everyone gets hurt. The people who care about you want to help; you just need to let them.

And, of course, maintain a balance in life

Even when things seem to be at their worst, you can likely remember earlier times in your life when you survived seemingly overwhelming situations. Draw strength from those earlier victories, stay focused on the real problem instead of your feelings about the problem, and reach out to your support team when you need them. Maintain a balance in life, and it will be easier to handle anything.

Working Smart + Living Your Values = Balance in Life