You can be smart, talented, well-educated and driven — but without grit and resilience, none of that will take you very far. Life will throw obstacles your way. It’s not a matter of if but when. The real question is: how will you respond?
The people who thrive — at work, in relationships, in life — aren’t always the most gifted. More often, they’re the ones who refuse to give up. They push forward when things get hard. They get knocked down and stand back up. That’s resilience. That’s grit. And the good news? Both are skills you can build.
Confidence in your abilities to go after your goals can sometimes be difficult to find or keep.
It can sometimes take time to discover the confidence you have inside you. This can be especially true if you are trying something new.
I have a program that can help you to discover what is holding you back from achieving your goals as well as help you set an attainable goal related to where you are in your life and where you are trying to be.
This program also works with you to build up your confidence in being able to reach your goal.
You can find out more about this program at Confidology, a funny name but a serious program.
You can contact me to talk about this or any other aspect of confidence and success at michael@coachmichaelw.com
Visit the site and read through the program description.
If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
If you want to reach your full potential and show up confidently through life’s ups and downs, you need more than talent — you need staying power. Here’s how to develop it.
1. Stay Connected — Especially When It’s Hard
Hard times make us want to isolate. But shutting people out weakens your ability to bounce back. Connection is a critical source of emotional strength. You need people who remind you of your worth, your progress and your capability.
Strong people don’t go it alone. They ask for help. They lean on their people. They stay connected, even when they feel like retreating.
Tip: Text someone. Call a friend. Don’t wait until you’re “better” — reach out now.
2. Keep Hope High
Resilient people believe in a better future. Hope isn’t fluffy — it’s fuel. When you expect things to improve, you give yourself a reason to keep going.
Think back: every rough patch you’ve been through? You made it through. Why would this be different?
Visualize the outcome you want. Use that image to guide your mindset. Hope helps you see past the moment and stay focused on long-term strength.
3. Know That Resilience Beats Talent
Look around. The most successful people aren’t always the smartest. They’re the ones who don’t stop. They take risks, fail forward and keep showing up.
Success doesn’t usually come from one big break. It comes from hundreds of small, uncomfortable choices. Most people give up. The resilient don’t.
Bottom line: You don’t need to be perfect. You need to persist.
4. Care for Yourself First
In tough times, most people neglect themselves. They skip meals, stop sleeping, isolate and overwork. But that’s a fast track to burnout.
Resilient people do the opposite — they double down on self-care.
- Eat real meals.
- Move your body.
- Get sleep.
- Do something fun, even briefly.
Self-care isn’t a reward. It’s the foundation. You can’t withstand pressure if you’re running on empty.
5. Act — Don’t Freeze
When life gets overwhelming, the easiest response is inaction. You wait. You hope. You distract yourself. But the only way forward is through action.
Even small steps count. Apply for the job. Make the phone call. Start the workout. Break the problem into pieces and tackle one piece at a time.
Momentum is a muscle. Use it.
6. Schedule Mental Breaks
Being gritty doesn’t mean grinding nonstop. Mental endurance comes from balance, not burnout.
Make space to breathe. Watch a movie. Listen to music. Step outside. Do something pointless, even silly, just to reset your brain.
A short break can refresh your energy and help you return with more focus.
Resilience includes rest. Don’t skip it.
7. Reflect on What You’ve Already Survived
You’ve made it through more than you give yourself credit for. Every person has a personal highlight reel of hard times they overcame.
Remind yourself:
- What have I gotten through before?
- What strengths helped me then?
- How can I use them again now?
You’re already stronger than you think. Let your past wins remind you what you’re capable of.
8. Align Life with Your Interests
It’s hard to be gritty when you’re forcing yourself through something you hate. When your job, relationships or daily life don’t align with what matters to you, everything feels heavier.
That doesn’t mean quitting everything. It means building more of you into your life.
- Shift your focus toward what excites you.
- Carve out time for hobbies.
- Take steps toward a career that energizes you, not drains you.
Grit becomes natural when you care about what you’re working toward.
9. Choose Resilient Company
You become like the people you spend time with. If your circle is filled with complainers, quitters or drama-seekers, their habits rub off on you.
Instead, look for people who show up. Who adapt. Who try again. Their mindset will influence yours.
Find friends who inspire strength — not drain it.
Bonus: Learn to Respond, Not React
Resilience also means managing your emotions under pressure. Don’t let frustration, fear or shame take the wheel. Instead:
- Pause.
- Breathe.
- Ask, “What’s the next right step?”
Reacting is instant. Responding is intentional. The more intentional you are, the more grounded and resilient you become.
You Already Have the Seeds of Grit
Grit isn’t about being tough all the time. It’s about showing up, staying committed and finding ways to keep moving when everything feels hard.
You don’t need to become someone else. You just need to tap into the strength you already have — and practice using it, day by day.
Persistence Builds Confidence
Building resilience isn’t just about surviving — it’s about thriving with confidence. When you prove to yourself that you can handle discomfort, change and challenge, your confidence skyrockets.
You no longer fear hard things. You know you can face them. You’ve done it before. You’ll do it again.
Talent is great. Skills matter. But nothing beats resilience.
To talk about any aspect of success or working with a Life Coach to help you to achieve success, you can book a 30-minute call by clicking on the blue button below.
Don’t try to do all of this by yourself, ask and receive the guidance that can get you moving towards your own success.
Working together can help you overcome personal and professional barriers, ensuring you reach your highest potential.
Nothing happens until action is taken.
To your success.
Michael
P.S Don’t forget to visit Confidology to learn more about the program. If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
P.P.S if you want to find out more about my programs just check out the site Confidence and Life Coaching
P.P.P.S. If you enjoy reading these articles on my blog, I have more books that have more of this type of information that you can find out more about at Books to Read. You can buy these ebooks at many on-line book stores. The links to the bookstores are at the link above.
P.P.P.P.S. I have posted a series of articles on the “Fear of Success” at Confidence and Life Coaching. You can also request a free PDF of all 4-articles by sending me an email message at michael@coachmichaelw.com
Photo by Jumpy Wizard on Unsplash
