Importance of Mental Resilience

Most people speak of mental resilience as if it is something you either have or do not have. In my experience, it is something you build. Quietly. Consistently. Intentionally. One of the most effective practices I return to, especially in challenging times, is gratitude. Not the kind reserved for good days or milestone moments. The kind that requires you to pause during discomfort and still find something meaningful in the moment you are experiencing. Every challenge offers a choice. You can remain in self-pity and frustration, replaying what went wrong. Or you can dig deep and choose to look inward, finding just one reason to be thankful. This is not an exercise in denying reality. It is a shift in perspective. It is the decision to notice what still remains, rather than what has been lost. Over time, I have seen this practice become easier. Your mind learns to reflect, to trace moments that may have gone unnoticed, and to appreciate people, lessons, and experiences that brought depth even in discomfort. Gratitude does not change the situation. It changes how you move through it. Resilience is built in those quiet moments of intentional reflection. It is reinforced every time you choose awareness over reaction. What is one thing you are grateful for today? #Leadership #Mindset #Growth #Gratitude

What is the myth we've been sold on resilience? This is the question that's been on my mind a lot this last week during ex-tropical cyclone Alfred. Often we're told that resilience comes down to grit, mental toughness, positive thinking 👉 It's all about the individual. But if that's the case, why do Sam, Alex, and Jordan all respond so differently to the same event? Because resilience is not just about mindset. You can't just 'positive think' your way out of a bad situation. Resilience involves coping skills, for sure. But it also involves social factors, actual circumstances, support, and biology. Some factors we can control, but other factors are out of our control, such as age, gender, ethnicity, and other modifiable factors like socioeconomic status (see Mao, W. & Agyapong, V., 2021). Getting the full picture on this is important if we are to have more compassion for others and for ourselves in tough times 🧡 Here are a few examples: 🔹 Impact – If Sam loses their home but Jordan doesn’t, their recovery will look different. 🔹 Social factors – Financial security, community support, access to healthcare, and community connection all affect resilience. 🔹 Personal history – Past trauma, upbringing, and learned coping skills influence how people process stress. 🔹 Biology – Gene variations can alter the way someone responds to a stressful event. Resilience isn’t just about blindly 'bouncing back' with a 'strong morning routine' and 'positive mindset'. Sure, these things always help (I call them buffers), but resilience is built and strengthened through supportive environments, research-backed coping techniques, and flexibility - in self and the situation. If we want more resilient workplaces and communities, we need to remember that it is not the sole responsibility of the individual to be resilient. Collective, strengthened social foundations are essential to help people thrive. It couldn't be more timely. 👇 This week I'm speaking at the local Wynnum/Manly Rotary Club about 'Resilience as Connection and Adaptability, not Toughness' as we navigate getting the community back on track after the storm and extensive flooding.

Elite athletes know: The real game is mental. But here's what most business leaders miss: When millions watch, mental strength decides who wins. The same psychological edge that wins Olympic medals Is what separates average from exceptional in business. Sports psychologists discovered something crucial: ↳ The more you care, the more exposed you become. ↳ The bigger the opportunity, the more vulnerable you feel. This isn't just about athletics: - Before sending that bold proposal  - During high-stakes presentations - Leading major change initiatives The mental game determines your results. I learned this firsthand last week.  When my work met unexpected resistance,  I found myself hovering over email, checking responses obsessively. Not my normal. Something was off. A conversation with a trusted advisor revealed what athletes have always known: ↳ When you put your heart into the work ↳ You expose yourself to more than results. ↳ You make yourself vulnerable to impact. Elite athletes use three proven strategies: 1️⃣ Signal Recognition Your normal patterns shift when you're deeply invested. Watch for: → Constantly checking for responses → Seeking others' approval more than usual → Getting distracted by others' reactions Just like athletes before a big race, These signals mean you're in the game, not out of it. 2️⃣ Pattern Interrupt Championship athletes have a reset routine. Here's what works in business: When you notice your game is off: → Stop and name what's happening → Reach out to someone who gets it → Take a strategic pause for perspective 3️⃣ Purpose Reconnection Elite athletes don't rely on motivation. They anchor in purpose when pressure hits. First, ask yourself: → "What change are you fighting for?" → "Why does this deeply matter to you?" Then go deeper: → "What possibility are you creating?" → "Who would be impacted if you succeeded?" → "What's the bigger game here?" Because here's what champions know: Mental toughness isn't about avoiding vulnerability. It's about performing powerfully because of it. How do you maintain mental resilience in high-stakes moments? Drop your best practices and let’s learn from each other Share to help others build their mental game. 📌 Follow Holly Moe for more high-performance insights.

You wouldn’t expect to be physically strong if you never went to the gym. So why do we expect mental resilience to just appear without training? During the CPA exam journey when your brain floods you with negativity like“You’re behind,” “You’re not smart enough,” “You should’ve passed by now,” you need to challenge it. You don’t need to believe everything you think. For every negative thought, list five positives. CHOOSE positivity. That’s what life actually looks like. Not perfect, but heavily tilted toward progress. Mental strength is built through reps. When you practice rewiring how you think about failure, pressure, and stress, you stop getting dragged by your emotions and start using them to grow.

🧠Mental mastery beyond the olympics 🥇 I was reflecting on the extraordinary feats 💪🏾 of athletes at the Olympics, and the upcoming world mental health day.  It's impossible not to be captivated by their mental fortitude. The focus, the ability to perform under immense pressure 🤯 the resilience in the face of setbacks – these qualities are the hallmark of champions. It's fascinating to observe that some countries, like France 🇫🇷 seem to consistently produce athletes with exceptional mental strength. While various factors contribute to their success, it begs the question: 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞? 🤓 The mind-body connection: It's not just for athletes The link between mental state and physical performance is undeniable. Athletes with the best mental training often 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 but weaker mental resilience 🤔 This connection isn't exclusive to the sports arena. Think about it: 👩🏾💻At work: A calm and focused mind enables better decision-making, productivity, and creativity. 🏡At home: Emotional regulation and effective communication creates stronger relationships and a harmonious environment. 🏫At school: Confidence, focus, and stress management skills lead to improved learning and academic success. In essence, a well-trained mind acts as a performance enhancer across all domains. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬? 1️⃣ Mindfulness: Regular practice helps you develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and focus. 2️⃣ Goal setting and visualisation: Clearly defined goals and mental imagery create a powerful roadmap for success. 3️⃣ Positive self-talk and affirmations: Cultivating a positive inner dialogue builds confidence and resilience. 4️⃣ Stress management: Deep breathing, muscle relaxation, microcurrent tech 5️⃣ Seeking support: Connect with a coach or if required, a a therapist to address mental blocks and develop coping mechanisms. So, let's take inspiration 🤩 from those Olympic athletes and embark on our own journey towards mental mastery. After all, we all deserve our energy ⚡to be in overflow and to live, filled with joy, inner peace, and harmony ⚖️personally and professionally. ➡️ I will be sharing these mind insights in upcoming talks🎤 PM me if you would like to share mental wellbeing tips to optimise the energy and productivity of your teams. #mentalmastery #peakperformance #energycoach #executivecoaching #heathconcierge #speaker

The Most Overlooked Asset in Education isn't Academic - It's Mental Health: Every day we push our students to excel academically, but are we equipping them with the mental fortitude to succeed? As educators, this is the ultimate responsibility. Let me be real with you - I've seen countless brilliant students struggle not because they lack ability, but because they haven't developed mental resilience. Here's the truth: We're experts at teaching math, science, and literature. But our students need more than just academic knowledge to thrive. They need mental wellness tools that will serve them long after they leave the classrooms. As someone who went from being a high school dropout to earning a Ph.D., I can tell you - it wasn't just about learning the material. It was about developing the mental strength to persist when everything seemed impossible. To my fellow educators: - Create space for mental health conversations - Celebrate resilience as much as academic achievement - Recognize that every student's mental wellness journey is different - Remember that your own mental health matters too The strongest lesson plan isn't the one that only feeds the mind - it's the one that nurtures the whole student. What do you think about prioritizing mental wellness in your classroom?

A Balanced Life Starts with #MentalHealth Mental health is often one of the most overlooked aspects of our well-being, especially in our fast-paced world of today. We are all juggling deadlines, responsibilities & a constant push to achieve more. But how often do we pause to consider the toll this takes on our mental health? A colleague of mine went through a tough period where she constantly pushed herself to work harder & longer, believing it was the only way to succeed. She put everything on the back burner – her sleep, social life & mental well-being. Eventually, it all caught up to her & burnout hit hard. It was then that she realized: taking care of your mental health is not a weakness – it is a necessity. She started making small changes: setting clear work boundaries & taking breaks throughout the day. Over time, she found that not only did her energy & mood improve, but her focus & productivity soared as well. What struck me most was her newfound clarity – she wasn't just surviving the daily grind; she was thriving. This story isn’t unique. Many of us face moments when the pressures of work and life feel overwhelming, but we don’t have to wait for burnout to prioritize our mental health. Small steps can make a big difference - whether it is practicing mindfulness, talking to someone, or simply taking time for yourself. It is time to break the stigma and start prioritizing mental well-being. Share your story, support others, and remember: your mind is your most important asset. Taking care of it is key to living a balanced and fulfilled life. Let us make mental health a priority, not an afterthought. Remember: taking care of your mind is the best investment you can make in yourself & your future. As #MentalHealthDay2024 approaches, let us focus on enhancing lives around the world by educating people on the importance of mental health. Together, we can make a meaningful impact by creating a culture that prioritizes well-being. #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCare #BreakTheStigma #Mindfulness #EmotionalWellbeing #Resilience #MentalHealthAwareness #WellnessJourney #WorkLifeBalance #StressManagement #SupportEachOther #MentalWellness #YouAreNotAlone #HealthyMindset #TakeCareOfYourself #TherapyIsCool #EmpowerYourMind #MentalStrength #BalanceAndThrive #EndTheStigma

In the wake of a colleague’s recent personal challenge, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on the intricate interplay between our personal and professional lives. His mental breakdown during an office conversation served as a stark reminder that the two realms are undeniably interconnected. Acknowledging and openly discussing personal struggles may feel daunting, but it's an essential step towards personal growth. I've found that embracing vulnerability will not only contribute to our own development but will also positively influenced our professional resilience. The workplace is not immune to the effects of our personal well-being. By recognizing and addressing our mental health, we not only foster a healthier work environment but also enhance our ability to navigate challenges and setbacks with greater fortitude. It is important for everyone to create a workplace culture that values open communication about mental health. In doing so, we can collectively contribute to breaking down stigmas and promoting a supportive atmosphere where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally. #professionalresilience #MentalHealthInWorkplace #personallife #ProfessionalWellness #VulnerabilityInLeadership #MentalHealthAwareness #worklifeintegration #careerresilience #MindfulLeadership #ThrivingTogether #WorkplaceWellbeing #openconversations