If you answer 'always' to these 7 questions, you are more resilient than most.

As our world becomes more chaotic, we must develop resilience to overcome setbacks, distractions, and challenges.

Cultivating resilience, one of six mental muscles that make up mental strength, is crucial for success but challenging.

Anyone can develop resilience and fortitude through the formation of habits, as stated in my new book "The Mentally Strong Leader."

My research on mental strength involved creating a self-assessment tool to evaluate your progress in each of the six muscles and provide suggestions for improvement.

Completing this mini-assessment on fortitude will determine if you are more resilient than the majority.

1. Do you see adversity as an opportunity rather than a threat?

If you perceive any obstacle as a threat to your aspirations, self-concept, or standing, you concentrate on the potential negative outcomes. Your fear frequently amplifies itself, exacerbating your struggle to overcome challenging situations.

If you view setbacks as challenges that test your skills and provide opportunities to explore, learn, grow, and achieve more than you thought possible, you will be dramatically more productive.

During the pandemic, a microbrewery transformed a significant obstacle (being forced to shut down temporarily) into a chance for their staff to engage in community service through various volunteer projects. Rather than being idle, they strengthened connections in their neighborhood.

2. Are you flexible when it comes to solving problems?

A flexible mindset is crucial for building resilience, as a rigid approach to problem-solving can lead to frustration rather than fortitude.

In "The Mentally Strong Leader," it is stated that you must possess three distinct types of flexibility.

• Intellectual flexibility involves maintaining an open-mindedness, exploring unconventional approaches, and being receptive to having your beliefs questioned.
• Not becoming overly attached to a potential solution or allowing emotions to impulsively guide decision-making is known as emotional flexibility.
• Improvisation and experimentation are key aspects of dispositional flexibility, which involves having fun with problem-solving.

3. Do you balance reality with hope, even in adversity?

The most effective leaders I've encountered all possessed the same remarkable trait: the capacity to reconcile practicality and optimism.

I've had managers who only conveyed the negative aspects of a situation. They were disheartening. I've had managers who only conveyed optimism. They were detached.

The most effective managers I've encountered were practical in their approach to challenges, yet maintained a sense of optimism. Despite facing significant hurdles, they managed to overcome them while others struggled.

Do you concentrate on your remaining resources when confronted with obstacles rather than dwelling on your losses?

When faced with adversity, it can feel like we've lost valuable resources such as time, money, support, or confidence. However, highly resilient individuals focus on the things they still have to be grateful for during setbacks.

Instead of dwelling on what you don't have and what could go wrong, focusing on what you can do with what you have can help you get things done.

Do you manage to avoid getting stuck in the thought, 'It's not fair'?

Focusing on the unfairness of your circumstances can prevent you from taking action and leave you feeling helpless.

Resilient individuals don't dwell on the question "Why me?" Instead, they ask themselves, "Why not me?" with the determination to rise above their circumstances with courage.

Take responsibility for your circumstances, be open to learning and growth, and be willing to make changes rather than just hoping for them.

6. Do you avoid exaggerating how painful a setback really is?

Catastrophizing exaggerates small problems, causing anxiety and confusion.

Resilience involves acknowledging the true impact of circumstances without underestimating or overestimating, and separating any negative effects to prevent them from affecting other areas of your work or life.

7. Are you compassionate with yourself when you make mistakes?

It's difficult to remain resilient, so why make it more challenging by self-criticizing when you falter?

When faced with hardship, focus on acknowledging your emotions rather than self-judgment. For instance, you could say, "I am feeling overwhelmed at the moment."

As you label it, the sensation loses its grip and becomes a specific issue you can tackle. It's not about your identity, but rather your current experience. You feel like you've failed. However, this does not define you as a failure.

Rewritten sentence: You are capable of overcoming any obstacle and achieving your goals.

Scott Mautz is a well-known speaker, trainer, and LinkedIn Learning instructor. He was previously a senior executive at Procter & Gamble, where he oversaw several of the company's largest multi-billion-dollar businesses. He is the author of "The Mentally Strong Leader: Develop the Skills to Control Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Actions." Connect with him on LinkedIn.