Stronger

Book description

Professional athletes, surgeons, first responders—all perform remarkable feats in the face of intense stress. Why do they thrive under pressure, while others succumb?

What separates the two is attitude. Resilient people meet adversity head-on and bounce back from setbacks. They seem to naturally exude an inner strength—but studies show that resilience is something that anyone can build. Analyzing the heroic exploits of U.S. Navy SEALs and others who succeed against all odds, Stronger identifies five factors that combine to unlock deep reserves of personal power:

    • Active optimism—believe that you can change things for the better
    • Decisive action—you can't succeed if you don't take the leap
    • Moral compass—face any challenge with clear guiding principles
    • Relentless tenacity—try, try again
    • Interpersonal support—gain strength from those around you

    Drawing on the unique perspective of a standout team of authors (a stress management expert, a skilled entrepreneur, and a Navy SEAL), Stronger explores the science behind resilience and explains how you can develop this vital trait for yourself. Whatever your profession, today's demanding world calls for a special kind of strength. This revealing book holds the key.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Contents
  4. Foreword
  5. Preface
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Chapter 1: Active Optimism and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
    1. Personal Resilience Defined
    2. Five Factors of Personal Resilience
    3. Biological Bases of Human Resilience
    4. Self-Assessments
    5. Self-Assessment #1
    6. Active Optimism
      1. Philip L. “Moki” Martin, U.S. Navy SEAL
    7. Resilience and the Gift of Failure
    8. The Most Toxic Thoughts You Can Have
    9. —Crisis and Active Optimism
      1. Douglas A. Strouse, Ph.D.
    10. Active Optimism and the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
      1. Abbey-Robin Tillery, Ph.D.
    11. Rx: Prescriptions for Building Active Optimism
      1. Jim Craig, 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic Team
    12. Key Points to Remember About Active Optimism
  8. Chapter 2: The Courage to be Decisive and Take Personal Responsibility
    1. Self-Assessment #2
    2. The Power of Decisiveness and Taking Responsibility
      1. George Masi
      2. Benjamin S. Carson Sr., MD
    3. The Halo Effect
    4. Taking Responsibility for Your Actions Empowers You
    5. Seven Barriers to Decisiveness and Taking Responsibility
    6. Rx: Prescriptions for Increasing Decisiveness and Taking Personal Responsibility
  9. Chapter 3: The Moral Compass: Honesty, Integrity, Fidelity, and Ethical Behavior
    1. Self-Assessment #3
    2. The Four Points of the Moral Compass
    3. Following a Moral Compass Creates a Resiliency Advantage
    4. Honesty
      1. Lance Armstrong
    5. Integrity
    6. Fidelity
      1. U.S. Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods
      2. Quentin C. Aanenson
      3. George S. Everly Sr.
    7. Ethical Behavior
      1. British Petroleum DeepWater Horizon
      2. Tylenol Poisonings
    8. The Moral Compass at Work
      1. Congressman C. A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger
      2. Jonathan H. Adler
    9. Rx: Prescriptions for Following the Moral Compass
  10. Chapter 4: Relentless Tenacity: Try, Try Again
    1. Self-Assessment #4
    2. The Best Plan for Successful Resilience: Tenacious Defiance
      1. Rear Admiral Garry Bonelli
      2. Patrick “Pat” Rummerfield
    3. Tenacity: Sometimes the Journey Is More Important Than the Destination
      1. Cal Ripken Jr.
      2. Roy McAvoy
    4. When to Move On
    5. Rx: Prescriptions for Building Personal Tenacity
  11. Chapter 5: Gain Strength From the Support of Others
    1. Self-Assessment #5
    2. The Power of Interpersonal Cohesion and Support
      1. The Roseto Effect
    3. A Helping Hand at a Critical Time Can Change Your World
      1. Donald Gene Tyson
      2. Erika Brannock
    4. Why Do People Help Other People? Foundations of Cooperation and Support
    5. Avoid Toxic People
    6. Rx: Prescriptions for Building Interpersonal Support
    7. Building Community Resilience
      1. Rebuilding the Nation of Kuwait
      2. Martin J. O’Malley, Governor of Maryland
  12. Chapter 6: Lessons Learned About Human Resilience
    1. 1. Simplicity Matters
    2. 2. Our Five Factors Are Sequential
    3. 3. Resilience Can Be Learned at Any Age
    4. 4. Self-Efficacy Is a Useful Framework by Which to Learn Each of the Five Factors of Human Resilience
    5. 5. It’s Important to Monitor Your Resilience
    6. 6. Study the Past: Resilience in Their Own Words
  13. References
  14. Index
  15. About the Authors
  16. Free Sample Chapter from Just Listen by Mark Goulston
  17. Copyright

Product information

  • Title: Stronger
  • Author(s): George S. Everly, Douglas A. Strouse, Dennis K. McCormack
  • Release date: August 2015
  • Publisher(s): AMACOM
  • ISBN: 9780814436059