From the course: Building Resilience

Take cathartic action

From the course: Building Resilience

Take cathartic action

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- So far, all of the actions I have suggested that you follow demonstrate perseverance in the face of adversity. Analyzing, getting advice, remaining optimistic, and pacing yourself in the process all suggest that you're trying to work on your skills and be stronger next time you face a challenge. There are, however, a few situations where even though your coping skills have improved in the process of raising your resilience threshold, the best thing to do is to take some cathartic action. Let it go. This works in the following situations. When you're not attached to the situation or the organization, meaning it's not your job. For example, changing a service provider that's not giving you value. When closing the chapter with a colleague or a customer will not negatively affect your career. For example, asking to be assigned a different mentor by human resources. When you have communicated your needs clearly and tried to make changes on your side of a relationship but the situation is not improving. For example, letting go of a friendship that's costing you too much energy. When the stress is too high for you to face and not worth investing energy on additional coping skills. For example, looking for a job that's a better fit for you. The cathartic action should be your last resort strategy and your post-challenging event approach. The process of analyzing this course of action will help you identify what situations are worth sticking with, and which ones are best left behind.

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