Meet Martin Slyngstad

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Martin Slyngstad a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Martin, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

From my perspective, resilience comes from a combination of inner strength and external support. It’s rooted in my ability to adapt to challenges, learn from setbacks, and maintain a positive outlook. My resilience is nurtured by the encouragement and guidance I receive from God, Jesus, the church I go to, family, and those who have known me through different autism events, who provide me with the motivation and perspective I need to persevere through difficult times. Additionally, my resilience grows stronger as I cultivate self-belief, determination, and a proactive attitude towards problem-solving. Ultimately, it’s the synergy of these factors that fuels my resilience and empowers me to face adversity with courage and resilience. As an autistic I was bullied a lot, so I used that motivation to help me get to where I am today. Is it easy? no, but I don’t give up.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As an autistic, I have done so many thing, from Speaking in Dubai to speaking to legislatures, to writing a book called “Chatter Box: My Life with Autism a Mother and Sons Perspective”, and winning Gold in the Special Olympics, to making music, and recently do public speaking and working with sports team to promote more autism awareness and acceptance. It wasn’t easy in the beginning because I didn’t accept my diagnosis till after I wrote the book. after sharing my story with others, some people came up to me after and said because of my bravery sharing my story, they have shared their diagnosis with classmates and their work. Some parents came up to me too and said that they have hope for their children. I am focusing on.my business to train instructors how to teach autistic students and train first responders, along with spreading awareness and acceptance with sports teams, and collaborating with politicians. One awesome thing I was able to do was get a proclamation from the local mayor about The city of San Jose declaring April as Autism Awareness and Acceptance month.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

In my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful are resilience, continuous learning, and effective communication. As an autistic, these are the three needed

1. Resilience: Resilience has been crucial in navigating challenges, setbacks, and uncertainties. It involves maintaining a positive mindset, adapting to change, and bouncing back from failures. To develop resilience, it’s important to cultivate self-awareness, practice mindfulness or meditation to manage stress, and seek support from mentors or peers. Reflecting on past challenges and how you overcame them can also strengthen your resilience.

2. Continuous Learning: Embracing a mindset of continuous learning has allowed me to adapt to evolving circumstances and acquire new skills. It involves staying curious, seeking out opportunities for growth, and being open to feedback. To improve in this area, set specific learning goals, explore new subjects or fields of interest, attend workshops or courses, and read widely. Networking with others in your field can also provide valuable insights and learning opportunities.

3. Effective Communication: Effective communication has been essential in building relationships, conveying ideas clearly, and collaborating effectively with others. It includes both verbal and non-verbal communication skills, active listening, and empathy. To enhance your communication skills, practice active listening by focusing fully on what others are saying without interrupting. Work on expressing your ideas clearly and concisely, and seek feedback to refine your communication style. Developing empathy can also improve your ability to connect with others and understand different perspectives.

Advice for Early Journey:

Set Clear Goals: Define specific goals for personal and professional growth. Break these goals down into smaller, actionable steps that you can work on consistently.

Seek Mentorship: Find mentors or role models who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights based on their experiences. Learn from their successes and challenges.

Embrace Challenges: View challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than obstacles. Approach each challenge with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn from setbacks.

Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with supportive peers, colleagues, or friends who encourage and inspire you. They can provide motivation, feedback, and help you stay focused on your goals.

Reflect and Adapt: Regularly reflect on your progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Be willing to adapt your strategies or goals based on feedback and new experiences.

By focusing on these qualities and skills, early in your journey, you can develop a strong foundation for personal and professional success while navigating the inevitable ups and downs that come with growth and development.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I am looking for others to partner with. My ideal partners would be conferences to speak at to share strong speeches, sports teams to work on autism nights, school districts for those who would like to know how to teach autistic individuals, and Politicians. The best way to reach me is [email protected] or on my website www.spireautism.com

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Pic 1 and 3 Rebecca Winslow

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