One of the most rewarding parts of teaching the MindShifting: Resilient Mindsets for Long-Term Success course is watching participants bring the concepts into their everyday lives, not just in the workplace, but in their families, relationships, and classrooms.
Each class (6 over 4 weeks) we explore how resilience isn’t about “toughing it out,” but about building awareness – noticing our thoughts, reactions, and assumptions – and then making small shifts that change how we respond to challenges.The course is about opening up our minds to possibilities instead of trying to control a situation. The skills involve how we can trick our mind into being curious rather than judgmental, possibly by regarding the situation as a game instead or a problem, or by imagining multiple possible causes or outcomes, or by simulating such as imaging a villain who tries to obstruct our plans.
In one of our recent sessions, we talked about how we can move from reacting to responding when things don’t go as planned — how to see beneath the surface of a problem and engage it with flexibility rather than frustration.
As an example, when children come to us with problems, we are often quick to judge and tell them what to do, and then if they don’t do it, we get frustrated or angry. In this example, a parent used the villain simulation technique from the course to role play situations with her young daughter
“At her day care, my toddler is very friendly and wants to hug all of the other toddlers. But I know that not everyone likes to be hugged.
I suggested she ask them first, and we role-played different reactions using the “villain” technique.
As we role-played, I discovered that my daughter just wanted a way to make friends more easily (she is an only child). So we brainstormed other ways she could make friends besides hugging those who did not want to be touched (e.g. asking if they wanted to play with her, asking their name and giving hers, etc).
This process helped me see that a problem is not always as simple as it appears. It also helped us reach a solution that was satisfactory to both of us and felt like progress.”
“This type of open role-playing and discussion technique will be useful in helping me explore alternative behaviors with my students in my Middle School classes as well.”
What I love about this story is that it demonstrates resilience as both a mindset and a method. The participant didn’t just tell her daughter what to do. She engaged her in collaboration.
Together, they explored the situation from multiple perspectives, questioned assumptions, and found new options. That’s the heart of MindShifting.
Resilience isn’t only about enduring life’s big challenges; it’s much more about having access to our creative thinking, critical thinking, and collaborative powers, either because of the way we went into the situation or our preparation to remain flexible even when results don’t align with our expectations. When we practice these techniques in low-stakes situations (like a toddler learning to make friends) we build neural and emotional “muscle memory” that carries into tougher moments.
And the beautiful part?
The same approach this parent used with her daughter can help middle-school students, coworkers, or even entire teams navigate interpersonal challenges.
Once we learn to step back, get curious, and test new approaches, we stop reacting out of habit and start responding with intention.
That’s resilience in action.
It is awareness turned into growth – one role-play, one conversation, one hug (or not!) at a time.
If you’d like to experience these tools firsthand, join me for the upcoming Spring 2026 MindShifting: Resilient Mindsets for Long-Term Success course — a six-session journey into building awareness, flexibility, and lasting personal growth. Learn more and register here.
And here are some additional resources that will help you dive further into the MindShifting framework:
The first MindShifting book available on Amazon
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