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PSYNET - Adversity Quotients
Consider this: There are many who have high IQs and EQs or even CQs (Creativity Quotient), but do not succeed in life. Why? The developer of AQ, Dr Paul Stoltz, believed it was their lack of effective strategies to cope when faced with adverse situations. Adversity is not uncommon for officers involved in daily police work. AQ may contribute not only to offices' emotional and mental development, but to enhancement of their performance. AQ is the score that reflects our attitude in the face of challenges. The higher our AQ, the more open and accepting we are of these challenges. It was essentially derived from four dimensions: Control, origin-and-ownership, reach and endurance (CO2 RE). Control - In the face of a difficult situation, the actual degree of control could only be determined in hindsight. What matters is the amount of control we PERCEIVE to have. That is what motivates action. The perception of a complete lack of control over a particular situation lends ourselves to helplessness. Origin and ownership - All too often, we find ourselves blaming others or ourselves for mishaps, ignoring resolutions. When adversity strikes, take a constructive look at your share. Do not accept unnecessary blame or deflect responsibilities - we do not have to be responsible for adversity to become accountable.
Accountability suggests a willingness to seek resolutions. Reach - Do we let adversity remnants affect our lives? E.g. were criticisms from your superior the death of your career? Holding on to a belief that adversity involves every aspect of our being is detrimental. Endurance - Heard yourself say "l never be good at this?" Taking an adverse situation as our destiny kills our will for action. It is crucial to attribute the cause of any adversity as temporary and changable. Attribute these failures or rejections as temporary, isolated incidents, not lasting ones.
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