In continuing to explore our tools for bouncing forward to the new normal we will explore Jonathan Bates’ model, the Resilience Triangle and its third leg, ACTION.

Action activates resilience. While having a resilient mindset and tons of energy are great, very little will improve if we don’t take action. Bates offers resilience-friendly skills and behaviors we can practice and support others in practicing that will make a difference – in doing so, we begin to see options and possibilities for feeling positive about what we are doing in work and, additionally, our own well-being.

For ourselves and for those we lead and influence:

• Reframing: Reframe the thinking that doesn’t help find solutions and make changes.
• Reinforcing: Support yourself and others in finding a way to affirm those new thoughts daily until they become second nature. (Remember: TARP – Time, Attention, Repetition, and Positive Feedback)
• Pausing: In the moment of overwhelm where the “new abnormal” seems a bit too much, support yourself and others to gain the ability to pause, breathe, re-orient and re-focus.
• Practicing Calm: Support yourself and others to begin or expand whatever practices connect us to our bodies and into a resourceful state of mind.
• Energizing: Invite intentional actions that fill up your “core needs” tank.
• Active Self Care: Support yourself and others to identify small, easy to implement ways to take care of ourselves – “mask on first effect”.
• Planning: Support yourself and others in building a gameplan or roadmap for getting to your or your educators’ next goal.

These behaviors foster resilience. We must practice the skills. Simple steps with intention, attention and action will support us in finding new energy, new passion and revitalized commitment to our profession that impacts not only a child but a world.