Hardiness

As life in the digital era becomes more chaotic and fast paced, there is a surplus of books and media that promise to help us reduce our levels of stress. We are told that if we just schedule our time right, focus on the right things, or stand up to the right people, our stress can magically melt away, leaving us with nothing but joy. Enticing as these ideas sometimes are, most of us can see right through them. The truth is, stress is a part of life. We are biologically hardwired to cope with stress--and if we can cope well, stress can become our trusted ally in the quest for a meaningful life. Hardiness looks into the minds of people who respond well to stressful situations. These resilient individuals have the power to achieve their relationship and career goals and to quickly recover from unforeseen setbacks. Over decades of research, authors Steven J. Stein and Paul T. Bartone have identified the three personality features that such people have in common--the "three Cs" of hardiness--commitment, control, and challenge. When we understand and work to develop these traits in ourselves, we unlock our own potential for growth and turn stress into a force for good in our lives. Across occupations and social classes, the hardiness mindset is linked to better health, performance, and success. Hardiness includes numerous, real-world examples from artists, athletes, first responders, soldiers, and others who have demonstrated that the three Cs can propel us toward our goals. This book also reviews a large body of evidence on the connection between resilient responses to stress and physical health--heart disease, diabetes, and cancer tend to shy away from the hardiest individuals. Ultimately, Hardiness is about how we can turn our stressors into success factors. This book shows that, regardless of our life circumstances, we all have the capacity to transform losses and setbacks into lessons and opportunities that will motivate us to keep thriving. Because the uplifting message of this book is based on strong evidence from decades of rigorous psychological research, we would be foolish to ignore its conclusions. Visit hardinessmindset.com to learn more.