Resilience & Healing for the Helper: Mindful Responses to Ego Depletion

I recently was invited to give a talk to a group of people in the “Helping Relationship” field on the topic of Resilience.  This is an issue for those of us who choose to be helpers, as we frequently find ourselves helping others to be resilient but not paying much attention to our own well being.  I know I’ve found myself getting into low spirits, physical exhaustion and emotional diminishment from not taking care of myself.  As they say on any commercial flight: “First, put on your own oxygen mask…”

Some of the people at this conference found my talk helpful.  So I decided to post the PowerPoint slides I used with an embedded narrative.  Perhaps you’ll find the material helpful for you.

In the meantime, if you want to read a good book on the topic of Willpower and self-regulation, which are the heart and soul of Resilience, try “Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength” by Roy Baumeister and John Tierney.  It’s a great read filled with excellent information.

And here’s my presentation; it’s a little under 40 minutes long: Resilience and Ego Depletion With Narrative

Peace,

Jim