There can be no denying the fact that the world is becoming ever more stressful. Technology is advancing at an ever increasing rate, there seems to be a fresh new challenge to overcome ever day, and a rand simply does not go as far as it used to. That said, some of us are better at coping with stress than others. Psychologists call this ability to cope resilience.
“According to psychologists, resilience is our ability to bounce back from challenges and obstacles,” says Eileen Thornhill, Director of The LLC Academy. “In the workplace in particular, the ability to bounce back from disappointment, take critique in our stride, and handle a fast paced, stressful environment is becoming an increasingly valuable skillset. Fortunately, resilience is a skill that can be learned and grown.”
According to an article from the Harvard Business Review, one of the ways by which you can increase your resilience in the workplace is to focus on developing mental agility. “Mental agility allows you to move from a space of reacting to stress to responding to stress, an important distinction,” says Thornhill. “When we move from a space of ‘oh no, what now?’ to a space of ‘huh, a new problem to solve’, this increases our ability to handle stress far more effectively.”
So, how can we change our mindsets and become more mentally agile?
“Frankly, this is where Continuing Professional Development comes in,” says Thornhill. “Continuing Professional Development allows you to remain competitive in your industry and it keeps you mentally focused, sharpens your skillset and allows you to contribute more effectively to your team. Furthermore, knowing that you are equipped with the skillset necessary to handle the challenges you may face in the workplace will reduce work stress and increase your resilience.”
“Continuing Professional Development has never been more vital than it is right now,” says Thornhill. “Because we live in a VUCA world – namely, a world that is Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous, we need to equip ourselves and our teams with the mental agility and fortitude that will allow us to become competent problem solvers. In fact, one of the programmes that we offer at The LLC Academy, namely VUCA Essentials, includes developing mental agility as a core strength, and this is a particular skill that is valuable across all aspects of life.”
“That said, Continuing Professional Development is not just about staying competitive and becoming more resilient,” says Thornhill. “Keeping your skillset relevant allows you to maintain your curiosity for your chosen career, allowing you to remain engaged, enthusiastic, and ready to make a difference!”
The LLC Academy offers a range of programmes that serve as Continuing Professional Development, and count towards your B-BBEE Scorecard while helping you to develop your talent pipeline for tomorrow. Speak to our consultants today to see how you can upskill your workforce and score B-BBEE points simultaneously.