Etymology and definition:
Derived from a participle of the Latin verb « resilire » (« to bounce back »), formed from « re- » and « salire » (« to ascend, to jump »).
The capacity of a person or a society to resist or adapt to a brutal ordeal and to use it to become stronger. (Wikipedia)
Wear and tear: the small daily obstacles or challenges during a period of continuous stress can lead to an erosion of our ability to absorb more and make us lose sight of who we are and even break down. So, how can we prevent it?
What can we do to ensure that one of these new obstacles does not become the straw that broke the camel’s back.
A snapshot of my life
To illustrate, here is a snapshot of my life. Over the last three months, I have been simultaneously managing:
- The discovery of my new role in innovation leadership,
- The project to deliver a new site of over 3,000 m² for my company,
- Buying my new home,
- Starting and carrying out renovations on this house to be present in Montreal on time for the site delivery (for me, doing renovations means holding the hammer and executing the work myself),
- Managing an intense sequence of problems to address,
- Managing the move,
- Leaving an extraordinary site, that of Magog, and wonderful colleagues.
Two rays of sunshine: my daughter’s pregnancy and my son’s wedding.
All of this leads to managing numerous demands in parallel; no construction project happens quietly (perfect timing, I had two). For a new site to be successful, internal teams must collaborate and exchange information. Future occupants of the site must be engaged in this journey and contribute by sharing their ideas and suggestions.
Stress, intense emotional burden – how do we resist and bring others with us?
An approach
By not resisting!
Every question, every challenge is actually a positive element! We learn, we find solutions, we bounce back. And every rebound is a victory that we must acknowledge.
- A role model? Mike Horn, an adventurer who crossed Antarctica, has a message: if, when you wake up in the morning, you walk all day and think about your pains and difficulties, each step will become increasingly difficult. If you consider the positive aspects, you will find that the next step becomes a little easier, and the one after that even more so.
- Another role model, much closer to me, my son, his motto: « If you haven’t had any troubles, you won’t have any stories to tell. »
So, yes, to move forward, I look at the bright side of things, see the positive, and move forward. I celebrate all the help and attention I receive, and I give back in return.
So yes, when an obstacle arises, I can grumble and groan. And I take a step back, I breathe, acknowledge this emotion, let it pass through me, and I move forward by finding a solution. My flaw that I still need to work on is that once I start seeing a solution, I cannot stop until I have a clear approach on what I need to do and my options.
To illustrate, and to smile.
To bring a smile, to make this article closer to you, here’s an example, and it’s one of my stories for a future meal:
« Hello Franck, I just installed the toilet and there’s no water coming. I don’t understand. It’s random! »
From whom could such a message come?
Obviously from my plumber!
The solution: Tearing out a part of the kitchen ceiling that had received its last coat of paint the day before. Why this issue, the origin of the problem… The plumber had cut the old pipe in the ceiling and forgotten to connect it to the new circuit… »
At the time, it’s annoying, but admit it’s quite improbable to see this kind of error and hear the excuse he gave me. So, when you experience this moment, think that later it will make you smile, even laugh. Ultimately, it’s just a matter of time and money, and it doesn’t have a permanent impact in the long term.
So, yes, I complained for 2 minutes, and then we moved on. I told myself it was just another tasty anecdote to share over a good meal or coffee.
That is resilience.
I can tell you that during the last three months, not a day went by without a story of this kind. Life can bring us significant challenges to overcome, difficult losses to accept. Thus, save your energy to face these real difficulties in life. And do not let setbacks or small bad news affect you, gradually wear you down. Keep only the positive, and move forward.
That is resilience.
And thank you to my family, my wife, my children (including my daughter-in-law and son-in-law), my colleagues, neighbors, and friends from the Eastern Townships, as well as my new colleagues in Montreal.
Every smile, support, and listening ear are all gifts that brighten my days and give meaning to all of this.
Every request for help or question you ask me is a gift I receive.
And that is also resilience.
And thank you to those who read me; every impression, like, and informal discussion is a gift. This writing, this sharing, I do it with myself, with you. And when someone tells me that one of my articles resonates with them and makes them think, it’s a wonderful gift.
And that is also resilience:
Building on the positive and always seeing the glass half full. We have enough water, and we’re lucky to have room for more!
🛠️ Three simple actions to cultivate your resilience
Establish a daily “pause‑and‑bounce” ritual
One minute, no more. Simply:
breathe,
name the emotion (“I’m frustrated”, “I’m worried”, …),
then ask yourself: “What is one small positive step I can take right now?”
This micro‑ritual prevents wear and tear from building up.
Celebrate the help you receive, immediately
When someone helps, supports, or listens, even briefly:
thank them on the spot and name what it brought you.
This reflex nurtures gratitude, strengthens relationships, and recharges collective energy.
Reframe irritations as “future stories”
When a setback happens (plumber, construction, unexpected issue, mistake):
tell yourself consciously, “In three months, this will be a story to tell.”
This simple shift in perspective reduces the immediate emotional impact and protects your energy.
👉 These three simple actions strengthen your leadership posture and unlock your potential.
Coaching or Mentoring: Your Choice, Your Growth
I’m Franck Dervault, drawing on years of professional experience and now advancing toward certification as a coach. I offer two distinct paths:
- Coaching to help you unlock your own potential through reflection, presence, and guided discovery.
- Mentoring to share lessons, strategies, and insights from my career so you can navigate challenges with confidence.
Whichever path you choose, my goal is the same: to help you realize that you are wiser than you think, with immense potential waiting to be unlocked.
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