Resilience Book Summary - Resilience Book explained in key points
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Resilience summary

Eric Greitens

Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life

4.3 (108 ratings)
14 mins

Brief summary

"Resilience" by Eric Greitens is a guide on how to develop and sustain resilience through hardship. It teaches practical tactics for building mental toughness, adaptability, and grit, using stories of those who have overcome adversity.

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    Resilience
    Summary of 6 key ideas

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    You need resilience to courageously overcome life’s challenges.

    Are you living up to your full potential? The unfortunate truth is, many of us fail to access all our energy, intelligence and compassion because we get bogged down in disappointment and failure.

    But we can learn to overcome hardship by harnessing the power of resilience. Because here’s the thing: none of us can escape pain, fear or doubts. But we can refuse to let difficult experiences bring us down! The trick is to see them in the right light. Overcoming obstacles is difficult, but doing so will make you stronger. Simply put, pain builds courage. You just have to be resilient.

    That’s what the author learned after spending many years working with veterans. Those brave men and women lost both limbs and friends, not to mention purpose. But by facing the loss and overcoming their pain, they transformed it into something positive.

    Consider the story of Redmon Ramos. After losing his leg by stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan, the former marine realized he had two choices: he could either pity himself or confront his pain. He chose the latter option and, as a result, became much stronger. With the help of prosthetics, Ramos eventually entered the US Paralympic Warrior Games and brought home several medals.

    There’s a lesson here: the goal isn’t to bounce back from a hardship, but rather to move through it. History is full of similar stories – stories of people faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges and managing to use their misery to their advantage.

    Consider Miguel de Cervantes, a Spaniard imprisoned in 1602. To pass time in his cell, he invented a story about an old man who believed he was a knight. Eventually, that tale evolved into the first modern novel, a work of literature beloved to this day – Don Quixote.

    We can all follow Cervantes’ lead and meet life’s challenges with courage and resilience.

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    What is Resilience about?

    Resilience (2015) encourages us to confront pain and hardship, using them to create meaning and find joy. The author doesn’t promise miracles, since there’s no easy cure for losing a loved one or facing other tragedies. He only promises the effectiveness of hard work, describing how to overcome the fear of failure and take responsibility for your own life. If you can do that, the challenges you face will only make you stronger, wiser and more courageous.

    Resilience Review

    Resilience (2015) by Eric Greitens is a powerful exploration of overcoming challenges and finding strength in adversity. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It presents inspiring stories of people who have overcome incredible hardships, offering valuable lessons in resilience and perseverance.
    • With its practical exercises and strategies for building mental and emotional strength, it provides readers with actionable steps to develop their own resilience.
    • The book delves into the psychological and philosophical aspects of resilience, providing profound insights that will change the way you approach challenges in life.

    Best quote from Resilience

    There are some things which cannot be learned quickly, and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. - Ernest Hemingway

    —Eric Greitens
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    Who should read Resilience?

    • War veterans and returning soldiers who want to find their purpose in life
    • Anyone who has experienced loss, is struggling through a painful period or fighting self-doubt
    • People hoping to learn how to overcome challenges and lead a more fulfilling life

    About the Author

    Eric Greitens is a former Navy SEAL and humanitarian aid worker. He is the founder of Center for Citizen Leadership, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans adjust to life back home. Greitens is the author of Strength and Compassion, which chronicles his experiences as a humanitarian aid worker.

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    Resilience FAQs 

    What is the main message of Resilience?

    Resilience teaches us how to navigate life's challenges and develop inner strength.

    How long does it take to read Resilience?

    The reading time for Resilience varies, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Resilience a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Resilience is worth reading for its practical wisdom and insights into building resilience.

    Who is the author of Resilience?

    The author of Resilience is Eric Greitens.

    What to read after Resilience?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Resilience, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Resilience by Mark McGuinness
    • Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud
    • Adaptive Resilience by Maria Santacaterina
    • The Art of Resilience by Ross Edgley
    • The Power of the Other by Henry Cloud
    • The Mind of the Leader by Rasmus Hougaard & Jacqueline Carter
    • Plays Well with Others by Eric Barker
    • The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham and comments by Jason Zweig
    • Liars by Cass R. Sunstein
    • The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides