Boy Scouts of America

Resilience

SUMMARY

Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress such as family and relationship issues, serious health problems, and school or financial pressures. Resilience is not a trait that people either have or don’t have but involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that anyone can learn and develop.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Developing resilience is a personal journey. What works well for one individual may not work for another, so people must develop and use several strategies. Some variations can reflect cultural or other differences.

How to Build Resiliency

  • Accept that change is an inevitable part of living.
  • Make positive connections with others and be willing to accept help.
  • Look for opportunities for self-discovery in order to enhance personal growth.
  • Move slowly and realistically toward your goals, and track your progress.
  • Maintain a hopeful, optimistic outlook, and visualize accomplishing your goal.
  • Recognize what is important in view of the whole situation.
  • Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • Avoid seeing crises as overwhelming or impossible but rather as opportunities to grow and improve.
  • Find positive ways to reduce stress and negative feelings.
  • Take decisive action quickly and completely.
  • Keep a positive, confident view of yourself.

When Additional Help Is Needed

Getting help when you need it is crucial to building your resilience. Many people turn to family members, friends, or others who care about them for support and encouragement. Self-help and community support groups can be helpful. Seeking the assistance of a licensed mental health professional can be an important next step.

RESOURCES

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.