The Adversity Quotient - Do You Have the Ability to Endure Challenges?

Source - Core Process

Given that the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing to light various adversities such as fear of the unknown, uncertainty, and loss of career, science urgently needs to increase its resilience and agility. Adapting to adversity and challenges has become essentially important with the various constraints created by the current pandemic.

The trend of being “productive” throughout the day has taken a serious toll on the mental health of people. In addition, productivity as a reason to improve and succeed has now become a necessity because only then people can think of themselves as “worthy” and “efficient”. 

So, what is this adversity quotient and why is it so important?

What is Adversity Quotient (AQ)?

Adversity Quotient is one of the paradigms of intelligence. In layman’s terms, this quotient helps us to go through the rough patches of our life and come out of them without losing our minds.

In psychological terms, it is a meaningful measure of our ability, build resilience and a well-honored set of tools for persevering through challenging times. It describes how well we withstand adversity and can surmount it. 

Dr. Soltz - The Adversity Quotient Expert

Dr. Paul G. Soltz is a leading change management keynote speaker, adversity quotient/resilience expert, and the creator of the Adversity Quotient doctor. He is considered the world’s main authority on the combination and alertness of grit and resilience. 

He is the writer of five worldwide bestselling books on the subject which are printed in 17 languages — including the top-promoting enterprise book in China. He was voted by the means of HR Magazine as “One of the Top 10 maximum influential worldwide thinkers,” and by Executive Excellence as “One of the 100 Most Influential Thinkers of Our Time.”

According to Dr. Soltz, AQ is also described as a quotient to better predict success. He uses the example of climbing a mountain to describe how the prediction works with the help of quotient by examining what happens in three types of people whom we encounter in our journey to the top of the mountain: Quitters, Campers, and Climbers.

Source: Big Interview

1. Quitters: Those who compromise lives, abandon the challenging path, attempt to avoid pain by not climbing the mountain or taking up challenges, choosing the easier path.

2. Campers: These people go far up the mountain only as much as they want to and believe they can reach. They also easily terminate their ascent and find a smooth path to hide from adversities. Life appears easy to them, except for the constant change that threatens their campground and as a result, they are strongly motivated by fear and comfort, constantly seeking the comfort of their little campground.

3. Climbers: These are the positive thinkers never allowing any attributions such as age, physical disability, race, etc. to become obstacles in their way. They embrace challenges, are self-motivated, highly driven with a sense of urgency, and strive to get the utmost of their life. They tend to make things happen and can be seen as catalysts for action.

It is an Acquired Trait - The L.E.A.D. Sequence

Dr. Soltz says the adversity quotient is a trait that can be acquired and in light of the same has formulated a sequence of guidelines.

1. Listen to your response to adversity.

2. Establish Accountability.

3. Analyze the Evidence.

4. Do something.

To read in-depth about the sequence, visit - Adversity Quotient

Traits of People with a High Adversity Quotient

Source - SlideShare

1. Active approach towards solving problems of any type.

2. They perceive their experiences constructively.

3. Maintain a positive outlook.

4. Readily adapt to drastic changes but not at the cost of their personal well-being.

5. A good level of perceived control.

6. High endurance towards adversity.

7. Get back up quickly after a defeat or failure and demonstrate usefulness in times of great challenges.

8. Stay calm and level-headed intense or high-stress situations.

9. Process information and learn quickly.

10. They also have good IQ and EQ.

Additionally, AQ also helps to:

1. Bring long-term stability, 

2. higher performance, 

3. automatic perseverance, 

4. grit to achieve and control even during tense moments. 

5. Build mental and physical toughness.

6. Turn obstacles into opportunities.

Conclusion

If you want to consistently rise, breakthrough challenges, become more skilled then take each challenge as an opportunity and embrace it. And, though you may come across insurmountable barriers, become more self-aware and identify what type of adversity pulls you down the most, how you respond to adversities, and build resources because it is important to be able to confront or work your way out of them.

Written By - Umme-Aiman