I’m reminded of the patient who goes to the doctor because he is experiencing so many symptoms. The doctor says: “John, you have to get more sleep; you must stop smoking; you need to stop drinking; you need to get more exercise; you need to rest and reduce your stress.” And John leaves the office thinking, “I need to get another doctor!”
When we are overwhelmed by what we think it takes to get healthier, or to feel better, a common response is to freeze and do nothing. When faced with all that needs to be done, and all that is undone, wouldn’t it be great if it could be boiled down to asking yourself one question? When you are wondering if you are doing enough, wouldn’t it be helpful to reassure yourself by asking and answering just one question? This is the goal of my new book, “The Path: Mastering the Nine Pillars of Resilience and success.”
After years of research and clinical practice, I’ve identified nine components of optimal resilience. To determine where you stand in each of these areas, I’ve also created a 40 item questionnaire. It is available as a download here on my website. My Resilience Assessment Booklet allows you to answer these questions and then self-score and plot your results on the accompanying profile. Along with a description of each component, this booklet helps you determine your areas of strength and areas needing further development.
My model is now being used successfully by other professionals around the world who have been trained in this approach. But my goal is to give you a way of learning this model – and one that you will find simple and motivating to follow. From this was born my book, “The Path”. The intention is to show the reader how to live each day and each moment in the most effective and successful way. From this perspective, and based on the lessons of the nine components, you then ask this one question, “Am I on The Path, or off The Path”.
The concept of the one question helps put aside the many things undone and allows for a focus on one task, feeling, behavior at any time. And once engaged, no matter what else needs to be done, you are on The Path. You can rest assured that you can’t do it any better. This is comforting and it also makes it easier to not be distracted by all the other unfinished business you have to do. Being on The Path, means that you are living this moment, and this day in the best possible way. When you string one optimal moment and day after another, you have the formula for resilience and success.
