Singles, Doubles, and Home Runs:4 Proven Strategies to Build Resilience and Bounce Back Stronger

Lately, I've been reminded of the classic song, Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. You know the one: "I get knocked down, but I get up again." It’s an anthem for resilience—something we all need when faced with moments that shake our confidence, even in small ways.

You could say that I felt a bit knocked down, and now need to get back up again. 

The challenges we face may not be obvious to the outside world, but they offer us a choice:

• To swirl in the muck, or

• To use these challenges as an opportunity to learn and move forward

Here are four specific tools that helped to support path #2. 

#1: Do a retrospective. This means taking a few minutes to ask:

1. What went well?

2. What didn't?

3. What did I learn?

4. What would I do differently next time? 

#2: Ask for feedback from our trusted few. This means identifying a couple of people we trust, and asking them questions along the lines of:

1. What feedback do you have for me?

2. What could I have done better? 

3. What are your observations? 

This concept is on page 131 of Expansive Impact if you'd like to go deeper. 

#3: Remembering that not everything can be a home run, and that sometimes we hit a single or a double, and that these have their place as well. We can consider: 

1. What do we want to celebrate about the single or the double?

2. How did this help us to move forward in some way?

3. What would take us from a single or a double to a home run next time?

Thank you to my brilliant friend Lindsay for this analogy and reminder. 

#4: Determine a path forward, and move from reflection (potentially bordering on rumination). This could mean: 

1. Soliciting feedback 

2. Revisiting the situation to try to bring it to completion 

3. Re-adjusting for next time

What else would you add to this list? 

And, what other tools support you in instances when, to use Chumbawamba's terms, you feel a bit knocked down?

Resilience is key to navigating life's ups and downs, and the ability to bounce back stronger can transform challenges into growth opportunities. If you're ready to cultivate resilience, build confidence, and move forward with purpose, we’re here to support you. Let’s work together to turn setbacks into stepping stones, so you can lead with clarity and strength in both your personal and professional life.

This post was originally shared via Friday Favorites —a free weekly curation of resources, reflections, and inquiries on leadership and life. Join us here, and join the weekly conversation, if you’d like.

Building Resilience: Like climbing a mountain, overcoming setbacks takes strength and determination. Each step forward helps you grow, turning challenges into opportunities for personal and professional success.