Since the beginning of the war with Iran, it feels like all the stability we once knew has disappeared. Entire homes and neighborhoods are destroyed, families uprooted, people have lost their lives and livelihoods, and the systems of education, employment, and mental health are faltering, collapsing, or simply not functioning.
In the midst of this chaos, resilience is not a luxury. It’s not a cliché; it’s the ability to keep moving, even when your heart is heavy. To keep choosing—even when the choice is hard. Resilience is not a trait you either have or don’t—it’s a muscle. The good news? Resilience is a muscle that can be trained.
Whether you're working from home, barely making it to the office, leading teams in an unstable reality, or simply trying not to fall apart inside—here are 10 daily principles I’ve gathered for strengthening personal and organizational resilience, especially now:
<br>1. Supportive Self-Talk
In tough times, self-criticism tends to take over: “Why can’t I function?” “How is everyone managing while I can barely breathe?” But our brain naturally focuses on the negative—it’s normal.
What to do? Notice your internal language and replace it with empowering words. Instead of “I can’t do anything,” try: “I did my best under these conditions—and that’s a lot.”
<br>2. Managing Energy Drains
Empty conversations, stuck tasks, repressed emotions—they all drain our precious energy. In a time when we have no “emotional surplus,” it’s important to stop postponing.
What to do? Ask yourself once a week: “What’s draining my energy?” Then choose one thing, even something small, to release or complete.
<br>3. Letting Go of Judgment
Who says you have to hold everything together? Be strong all the time? In war, it’s okay to feel the full range of emotions—fear, guilt, even exhaustion. Resilience also includes expressing vulnerability.
What to do? Next time you feel like crying, let it out. Then ask: “What do I need in order to breathe?”
<br>4. Movement
Stress gets stuck in the body. Without movement—there’s no release. Even if you’re in a shelter, on a Zoom call, with kids—a little movement can change everything.
What to do? Two minutes of breathing. A quick walk around the house. A stretch with your child. Physical movement creates emotional movement.
5. Human Connection
We’re all in the same boat—but each in a different spot. And when we stay silent, don’t share, loneliness increases. Resilience is built through connection.
What to do? Even if it seems small, asking a colleague or neighbor “How are you really doing?” might be just the moment someone needed.
<br>6. Routine as an Anchor
When there are no structures, no kindergartens, no routine—we need to invent small inner anchors. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Even coffee at the same time, a shower with your favorite music, or a set family game in the evening helps.
What to do? Create even small routines that bring available stability. That’s your starting point.
<br>7. Daily Planning = Sense of Control
No need to control the distant future. Just ask: What are the three most important things I want to accomplish today—to feel some sense of control?
<br>8. Self-Compassion
If now isn’t the time to lower the bar for ourselves, when is? Treat yourself like a beloved friend. Speak kindly to yourself. Understand that you’re human.
What to do? Instead of judging—breathe. Instead of being harsh—listen with an open heart.
<br>9. Choosing Your State of Being
Even on reactive days—we can pause and choose: How do I want to show up today? From what mindset—lightness, presence, courage, listening? Every choice directs the brain and heart to that frequency.
What to do? Write down your chosen state of being and come back to it when you feel swept away.
<br>10. Celebrating Successes
When nothing is certain—small successes are anchors of meaning. Ask your team or your family: “What worked for us today?” Even if it was a shower on time, a hug, completing a task.
What to do? Meaning comes from acknowledgment, and resilience is built by recognizing what is working.
<br>Three Daily Questions to Strengthen Resilience
Before starting another heavy day—or at the end of one—pause to ask:
- What do I need most right now—focus, compassion, or movement?
- Where can I choose a brave response instead of an automatic one?
- Which one of the 10 principles will I practice today—and what will it look like in action?
It’s important to remember—none of us were prepared to face a time like this. We are expected to function in the midst of pain, uncertainty, and sometimes even daily fear. But especially when there’s no clear structure, when everything is collapsing, we still have a choice.
A choice to listen to ourselves. To release unnecessary burdens. To reach out. To choose how we want to be. To notice what is working. And to take a breath in between. Resilience doesn’t mean not feeling—it means feeling, and still choosing to move forward.
One daily choice, one moment at a time, is how we stay grounded when everything else is shaking.
And maybe this is exactly the kind of leadership we need now—inner leadership. Brave, and above all, human.
Tal Privner, lecturer and workshop facilitator in personal and organizational resilience, organizational connectedness, courageous conversations, diversity and inclusion | Host of the podcast “Brave Leadership”