When the pandemic sent the nation into a shutdown last year, plenty of Americans found themselves jobless and in need of quick solutions to stay financially afloat.

Some scurried to online job sites in hopes of finding a new position pronto, while others endeavored to learn new skills that would enhance their job prospects. 

But not everyone reacts in prompt and practical ways when faced with hardship. Job loss, or any setback in or out of a pandemic, comes with emotional baggage that can paralyze people when they need to take action.

Too often, we can’t summon the will to triumph over such adversities because we let a victim mentality overtake us. When you’re going through immense adversity, it’s difficult to think that you can come out better and stronger on the other side. But you can.

To do so, there are inner qualities people need to call on that will help, such as:

• Tenacity. If there is one attribute that determines success, it’s tenacity. Intelligence and skill are great to have, but it’s those who bring tenacity and perseverance who always succeed. Hard work, even when you feel you can’t do it, pays off. That’s true on the job and it’s true when you’re looking for a job. Sure, you need to refuel sometimes. So, take a break, then get back to it. But don’t break for too long.

• Attitude. Following closely behind tenacity is attitude because it affects so many aspects of a person’s life, such as emotional state, personality, social interactions, and career. We all know people in our life who, no matter how great things are going, will complain about something. They will complain, whine, and frown. Your attitude determines whether you will enjoy life and finish it successfully.

• Enthusiasm. It’s difficult for people to summon strong feelings of excitement about the next stage of life when life’s current stage has knocked them down. But they must. Enthusiasm is the spark you bring to daily life that starts the fire. It’s also important to remember that enthusiasm is contagious. Maybe you aren’t spreading it right now, but perhaps you can catch it. Since your time and energy are limited, pay attention to how you feel after spending time with people in your life, and seek out those who fill you up, energize, and inspire you.

• Vulnerability. This one may sound surprising, but it’s not. If you don’t allow yourself to be vulnerable, then you won’t take risks. We don’t like vulnerability because we think it’s bad, but it’s neither good nor bad. To win and accomplish whatever it is you set out to accomplish, you must take a risk and that means you are going to have to make yourself vulnerable.

It’s important to remember that it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you do with what happens. Taking on a mindset with that point of view may be challenging at first, but once you do, life will be enormously different.      

Dr. Allen Lycka (www.drallenlycka.com) for three decades was a cosmetic dermatologist, but today is a transformational keynote speaker, thought leader, and life-changing coach. He is co-author of the international bestseller “The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life… Discover The 13 Golden Pearls Within,” co-authored with Harriet Tinka.