To make decisions in critical situations, withstand the blows of fate and just survive – we are helped to cope with these tasks by the ability that we used to call “fortitude”. And it can not only be measured, but also pumped.
What is the power of the spirit? It seems to be something ephemeral, hardly measurable. Indeed, the strength of the spirit is born as a result of the coincidence of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. Here is biology, and our biography, and previous experience, and insights, and skills that we managed to acquire in our lives.
Some of us are initially lucky with genetics, environment and a loving family, while others are not. But the good news is that this power can be pumped, the main thing is not to run away from difficulties, but to learn how to cope with them.
- Firstly, any difficult experience allows us to understand that we are able to survive it and cope with problems – this, in turn, helps us become more confident in ourselves.
- Secondly, such experience allows you to analyze what happened and understand what can be done differently next time.
Measure the strength of the spirit
In order to assess the strength of the spirit, you need to pass a small test. Read the following statements and rate each one using the ratings “usually yes”, “sometimes”, and “rarely”.
- In a crisis situation, I remain calm and make only those decisions that will benefit me and others.
- Usually I am optimistic: even when “everything is bad”, I think that these are temporary difficulties that I will be able to cope with.
- I focus on what I need to do, regardless of the conditions around me.
- I quickly adapt to any changes.
- I look at most situations in my life with humor.
- Uncertainty does not scare me: I do not need to know for sure what will happen next in order to feel normal.
- I can calm down on my own without the “help” of food, alcohol, or meditation.
- There are people around me who I can always turn to for help.
- I rate myself 7 out of 10 or higher.
- I can help others and be strong for them.
- If I need to change something, I do not doubt the correctness of my choice.
- I can rely on myself, because I know that when required, I will complete all the necessary tasks.
- I trust my own decisions, even those made in a stressful situation.
Test Results
If you agreed with most of the statements, answering “usually yes”, this means that you have great fortitude, so you can help yourself and others.
The more “sometimes” answers you have, and the more “infrequently” answers you have, the more important it is that you spend time and effort on improving your emotional state. Learn to understand yourself better and look for sources of strength within yourself.
Where to start?
Numerous studies show that the main qualities we need to survive and grow are the ability to adapt and think flexibly. This has become especially clear to most of us in the last year and a half, when the world plunged into chaos and uncertainty: those of us who lack fortitude felt anxiety and helplessness.
Where to begin to strengthen the strength of the spirit? With the ability to adapt.
- Pay attention to statements number 4, 6 and 11 from the test above. You can make the practice written and write down the selected questions.
- If you answered “rarely” to them, try to remember situations when you failed to accept a challenge, adapt to a situation, or when you doubted your choice.
- Ask yourself how you could have done differently back then. Write down the options.
- And the next time something like this happens, do exactly as written. If there are several options, choose the most appropriate for the situation or adapt it to new circumstances.