Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness by Rick Hanson, PhD

Rick Hanson, PhD is a psychologist, author, and expert on positive neuroplasticity, who developed this
book from his popular online course called The Foundations of Well-Being. In Resilient, he discusses 12
different ‘tools’ which help activate inner strength and resilience of character. Each tool is a separate
chapter, so I skipped around to chapters I particularly liked such as “Courage” and “Aspiration”. The
book ends abruptly, without a unifying conclusion, which is fine with me given the practical applications
that were offered.

“With agency, you are active rather than passive, taking initiative and directing your life rather than
being swept along. Agency is central to grit…”

Rick Hanson, PhD, Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable
Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness