Positive Parenting

Personal Resilience

PIC 0: A title card with the words “Personal Resilience” is displayed. The screen fades to Joseph Hilliard.

JOSEPH: We’ve talked about how to build resilience in ourselves and our team and advocate for change in our organization.

PIC 1: Three bullet points appear under the title, “Resilience” reading,

JOSEPH: If our passion for our work is a fire, we’ve talked about how to protect it from the wind and the rain, how to keep it from burning out.

PIC 2: An image of a fire inside a shelter, protected from the wind and rain outside.

JOSEPH: But we also need to discuss how to keep it burning. We need to find things about ourselves and about the work that fuel our fire.

PIC 3: A close up image of the burning logs of a fire.

JOSEPH: It could be as simple as liking your team, or feeling like you’re good at your job.

For me, well, I know a lot of people probably have a story like this, but, it was my aunt Grace. When she got breast cancer, I was just a kid, and I’d never really thought about what it’s like for a person to suffer. To really suffer. 

It’s not just that she was in pain. She felt so terrified, so alone. I’ll never forget it. Anyway, what got me into healthcare, what keeps me going, is this hope that I can make a difference for people. Maybe make them feel less scared, less alone.

Take a minute and think about what keeps you going.

PIC 4: Five bullet points appear under the title, “What keeps you going?” reading,

JOSEPH: You also want to make sure you’re a priority in your own life. Sometimes we build routines for ourselves that don’t leave room for what matters to us. And it’s hard to endure stress when we’re feeling unfulfilled.

Let’s take another minute. Think about the few things that matter most in your life, or give you joy, and how you can build them into your routines.

PIC 5: A box labeled “Build What Matters” asks the question: “How can I build what matters to me into my routine?”

The first example reads: increase quality time I spend with spouse and children. There is the additional information, “put aside cell phone and other devices between 6 and 9 pm each evening.”

The second example reads: Spend more time cooking fun meals. There is additional information, “plan grocery shopping twice a week.” 

JOSEPH: Another part of making yourself a priority is getting help when you need it. Stress can challenge our mental health and wellness. We may feel hopeless, or less enjoyment in activities we used to, or use substances to feel better or just to get a good night’s rest. If you find yourself experiencing any of these situations, there are resources to help.

Consult your organization’s Employee Assistance Program or see the Learner Toolkit section in the menu.

PIC 6:  A box appears reading, “Employee Assistance Program” and “Learner Toolkit”.

JOSEPH: Thanks for your time today. And I hope you’ll keep working to support your patients, your team, and yourself.