Luis Velasquez, a Silicon Valley executive coach and author of 'Ordinary Resilience', shares insights on nurturing resilience as a daily practice rather than a reaction to crises. He discusses reframing fear into growth opportunities and emphasizes the importance of intentional relationships. You'll learn how clarity of thought can help make better decisions, the role of external motivations, and practical strategies like radical acceptance that facilitate personal development. Velasquez's journey illustrates resilience's transformative power.
Resilience should be nurtured on a daily basis, becoming a proactive practice that empowers individuals to adapt and thrive.
Reframing challenges through radical acceptance unlocks choices and fosters personal growth, highlighting fear as a catalyst for resilience.
Deep dives
Nurturing Everyday Resilience
Resilience should be cultivated daily rather than only after crises or shocks. The understanding that resilience is an inherent trait in humans emphasizes the need to embrace it proactively, drawing from past experiences to create a thriving mechanism that supports adaptation and growth. Many tend to view resilience as a concept reserved for moments of hardship, but it is accessible to everyone at all times. By embracing small, daily practices that foster resilience, individuals can learn to thrive in their circumstances, regardless of their current life situation.
Reframing Challenges and Embracing Discomfort
The process of reframing how we perceive challenges is essential for embracing discomfort and overcoming fears. One technique discussed involves radical acceptance, which encourages individuals to acknowledge their current situation fully and understand that it is meant to be at that moment. This acceptance allows for the unlocking of choices, where individuals can expand their options and focus on the path moving forward rather than remaining stuck in survival mode. By embracing challenges, individuals can develop the clarity needed to progress and transform their outlook on difficulties.
Identifying Purpose and Building Meaningful Relationships
Identifying moments that can serve as turning points in life is crucial for nurturing resilience and developing a sense of purpose. Often, these moments do not stem from significant life events but can arise from everyday experiences that inspire change and growth. Building and nurturing meaningful relationships also plays a key role in resilience, as having a strong support system allows individuals to feel connected and understood. By intentionally categorizing existing relationships and seeking those connections, individuals can develop a framework for social resilience that sustains them through challenges.
Embracing Fear and Setting Personal Standards
Rather than striving for a fearless mindset, individuals should focus on expanding their comfort zones and managing fear through intentional, incremental steps. Recognizing that fear is a natural part of the human experience helps individuals to see it as a catalyst for growth rather than a barrier. Setting high standards and adjusting personal goals based on life’s changing priorities are also essential for continued development and fulfillment. By embracing their journey and committing to personal growth, individuals can cultivate resilience through a deeper understanding of their motivations and choices.
We all go through hardships in our personal and professional lives that inform who we are. How we react to these big moments is often put down to our resilience.
But what if we looked at resilience differently?
In this episode I am joined by coach and author Luis Velasquez, who discusses how to reframe your perception of resilience. He suggests that rather than being a reaction to those shock moments, resilience is something we should nurture day in day out.
He talks about how we can make better choices when reacting to difficult situations. As well as how to reframe what is possible and step into the discomfort. He also shares how he has done this through real hardships and challenges in his own life.
There is huge potential for growth when we commit to better understanding ourselves and what resilience means to us.
“The minute you have options, you have the power of choice” – Luis Velasquez
You'll hear about:
· We need to work on resilience day to day · Working with those who resist · How to create clarity of thought · Reframe your relationship with fear · Finding out what truly matters to you · How to nurture the right relationships · Setting the right standards · How to maintain compassion for people · What is Luis' superpower? · What does Luis’ best day look like?
About Luis Velasquez:
Silicon Valley executive coach and Stanford University Graduate School of Business facilitator Luis Velasquez epitomizes resilience. He sharpens the acumen of leaders worldwide, guiding them to turn challenges into opportunities. His strategic thinking is regularly published by the Harvard Business Review and Fast Company and is spotlighted in Dorie Clark's "The Long Game."
Luis is not only an advocate for resilience but a living testament to it. He was born and raised in poverty in a country riddled by civil war. He's an ultra-marathoner and lronman triathlete, having tackled the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. He is also a brain tumour survivor, showcasing unparalleled commitment, persistence, and optimism.