The Dark Side of Resilience

Self-Storytelling

Aug 25

There’s a reason that the underdog story resonates with so many of us:

The power of resilience is both inspiring and empowering. We strive to be resilient in all that we do, and our achievements feel even sweeter when they have been accomplished in the face of adversity.

But what happens when we become too resilient?

While overcoming challenges is inarguably valuable, research shows that an excess of this admirable quality can actually lead to unfavorable outcomes. An abundance of resilience can lead us to continuously strive for goals that are ultimately unattainable, to tolerate poor treatment instead of removing ourselves from toxic situations, and even lose our ever-valuable sense of self-awareness.

And I have personal experience with another unfavorable outcome: When we develop too much resilience, we can suddenly forget our own origin stories. Our tendencies to focus on the future and to keep pushing forward can cause us to overlook the challenges we’ve already overcome.

Let me share with you my own story of excess resilience, and learn why I’m setting it aside for the sake of celebration.

Kindra Hall

Wall Street Journal bestselling author and Award-Winning Storyteller Kindra Hall, MA, told her first story in the spring of 1992.

Since that time, Hall has become the go-to expert for storytelling in business and beyond. She is the best-selling author of Stories that Stick, which debuted at #2 on the Wall Street Journal Bestseller List, and companies like Forbes and Gartner say it “may be the most valuable business book you read.” Kindra’s newest book, Choose Your Story, Change Your Life is one of the Next Big Idea Club’s top 10 happiness books.

Kindra is a sought-after keynote speaker trusted by global brands to deliver messages that inspire teams and individuals to better communicate the value of their company, their products and their individuality through strategic storytelling. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, young son and daughter.

The Dark Side of Resilience

There’s a reason that the underdog story resonates with so many of us:

But what happens when we become too resilient?

Not Now, Soon

The Story You May Have Forgot

Back to top