Resilience: Our Stories
Defined as 'the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness', resilience applies to so much more than just technology. It can mean strength, it can mean overcoming adversity, and the people of Computacenter demonstrate resilience every single day.
So, we at Connections asked a few of them to share their own stories of growth.
My story of resilience starts when I was 4 years old.
Somayeh Rahimi, Wellbeing Manager
Somayeh Rahimi, Wellbeing Manager
As a Wellbeing manager, I’m expected to be resilient and to help others build theirs. Unfortunately, it isn't always that simple. Resilience can't be taught, it comes from life experiences, and unfortunately, sometimes these experiences can be harrowing. My story of resilience starts when I was 4 years old and my family and I came to England as refugees. The first few months were the greatest test of my resilience as I went to school not understanding a word of what was being said. I was scared and alone and remember trying to run out of the school gates on several occasions. Six months later, I was able to communicate on a basic level with those around me and my confidence grew. My ability to adapt was tested again when we moved from Birmingham to North London. I had to start again. I had learned English with a Birmingham twang and now was being bullied for having a "strange" accent. I was determined to fit in and not let this setback get to me. Over time I lost my accent in the hope that I would fit in, and I did. I have carried this resilient attitude to change throughout my life and find that as long as I keep a clear head, and think logically, I can overcome any obstacle. If I can't control it, I won't let it rule me.
Everyone can be resilient, you just have to find it within you!
Emma Benstead, Manager, Customer Value Team
Emma Benstead, Senior Manager, Customer Value Team
Everyone can be resilient, but we see it more clearly in those who have had to rely upon it to get through a difficult situation. What you learn from being resilient in the face of adversity is that while it certainly helps in the difficult times it can also make the day to day a lot easier. If you can consider change as an opportunity and look for the positives when things don’t go as planned, it can vastly improve your ability to recover.
I often describe myself as the luckiest of unlucky people. Let start with the unlucky parts, I have been diagnosed with two unrelated cancers 7 years apart, both resulting in operations, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, I have also been lucky (and grateful) that while treatment is tough, my first cancer is in full remission, and I am well on my way to hopefully getting the same outcome later this year for my second.
I used the resiliency I found within myself from my first diagnosis to make it through my second to make it easier on myself but also for the people around me. Everyone can be resilient, you just have to find it within you!