The way we explain the events in our lives, our personal storytelling, and thus how we envision the future, has a huge impact on our resilience and wellbeing. BetterUp’s research finds that people who start out low on optimism see a 68% increase in 3-4 months of coaching. James shared with me how rewarding it is to see this kind of growth amidst crisis. “As they start to recognize how they think of their situation and challenge it, they are in more control. They get back some sense of control, despite the chaos. This allows for optimism to bloom.”

Practicing self-compassion may not be second nature to you (and you’re not alone if it doesn’t). But with the right focus and guidance (hint, hint: use those tips above), you can quiet that inner critic and begin not only being nicer to yourself but also turning those things that would’ve flipped you upside down into opportunities to celebrate your humanity and thrive.

Happiness. Sadness. Disgust. Fear. Surprise. Anger. Emotions come in all shapes and sizes, don’t they? At times like these, when you’re being asked to flex and bend in new and challenging ways, emotions can vary greatly. And it’d be easy to get stuck in a rut of negative emotions, letting uncertainty dictate your thoughts and actions.

In recent years, there’s been a lot of talk about cognitive agility. But, if you’re like many, you may still be scratching your head as you wonder what exactly is it, and – more to the point – are you good at it? And, if you’re not, are there ways to get better at it?

Spoiler Alert: Yes, there are ways to strengthen your cognitive agility… at any time, even during a crisis.