The Resilient Founder. Mahendra Ramsinghani

      Source: Twitter, Inc.

They do not discriminate, and such is life. Yet, how we react matters. The situation may be the same, but those prone to strong emotional reactions can become far more susceptible to depression. The higher the degree to which a person experiences the world as distressing, threatening, and unsafe, the higher is the probability for a depressive episode. When we are subject to frequent fluctuations of our emotional state – anxiety, tension, and social-withdrawal – researchers term it as neuroticism. See Figure 3.2.

      So how should we manage our inner states, and reduce the volatility of our emotions?

Dr. Lucy Hone, who lost her 12-year-old child suddenly, transformed her grief into studies on resilience. She describes one of the most powerful tools in building resilience is to ask,”hmmm … and how is this thought/feeling or action helping or hurting me at this moment?”³

If our worldview is nonthreatening and safe, we have a four-time lower probability of experiencing a major depressive syndrome. If we see the world differently, change our perspective, maybe we can find solace. Selective attention (focus on things you can change, accept the loci of control, making gratitude lists, and so on) is another technique proposed by Dr. Lucy Hone. And finally, a time-tested technique in building resilience is acceptance. Stuff happens. In accepting our setbacks, changing our perspectives and working with thoughts that help, rather than those that hurt us, our start-up ride might be enjoyable.