Bounce Back Ability
What is Bounce Back Ability?
Knowing how to deal with setbacks, mistakes, and disappointments. You’ve got to emotionally take a punch, shake it off in a reasonable time, and keep fighting.
- Let go of disappointments to focus on goals
- Keep your future front-of-mind
- Work side-by-side with fear—don’t fear being afraid
- Step outside your comfort zone when needed
Decide to use problems as stepping stones!
Problems = Opportunities
Problems create solutions—often the breakthroughs needed for next-level success.
Building Adversity IQ works like building muscle:
- Work outside comfort zone → through pain zone
- Add emotional muscle layers
- Gain confidence + stamina to fight back repeatedly
- More confidence = more risk tolerance = belief in recovery
Goals create problems automatically—weaknesses to fix, setbacks to handle. Progress demands it.
Without strong Adversity IQ: Dead in the water. Throwing in the towel.
With it: Know exactly what to do in the heat of battle.
Willie Shoemaker’s Wisdom
1982 Today Show interview with Jane Pauley, after breaking another record:
Jane: “One jewel of advice to young jockeys?”
Willie (looking at camera):
“When you lose your head, your ass will follow.”
That sums it up precisely.