The Power of Adaptability

Have you ever been lost in a foreign land on a Sunday? Try it with no money, no map, and unable to speak the language. It’s a planning exercise gone wrong. We’ve all heard the age-old adage, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” And while it’s true that planning can save us a lot of headaches and help us achieve our goals, it’s equally true that life can throw us curveballs when we least expect it. The truth is, no amount of planning can completely protect us from the unexpected. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless in the face of uncertainty. One of the most valuable traits we can cultivate is adaptability. Embrace Change The first step to becoming more adaptable is to embrace the fact that change is inevitable. Instead of resisting it, try to see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. We become more resilient and better equipped to handle challenges when we open ourselves up to new experiences and perspectives. This doesn’t mean we have to like everything that happens to us, but by accepting that change is an intrinsic part of life, we can reduce our stress levels and make space for new possibilities. Let Go of Perfectionism While having high standards can motivate, it can also lead to rigidity and inflexibility. If we’re too preoccupied with making everything “just so,” we risk missing out on opportunities to learn and grow. Sheryl Sandberg suggests that “Done is better than perfect.” It took a moment to sink in the first time I heard this phrase. Now, I repeat this phrase to myself every time I notice that I’m stuck in the weeds on a task. It’s much easier if we aim for progress over perfection and allow ourselves to make mistakes.

Andrea Brant, Ph.D., notes, “There is no such thing as being perfect, but you can still seek excellence. When you strive for perfection, all you’ll see is flaws.”

When we’re willing to take risks and embrace imperfection, we open ourselves up to new experiences and greater resilience. Foster a Growth Mindset Cultivating a growth mindset is essential for building adaptability. Instead of seeing our abilities and talents as fixed traits, we can learn to see them as malleable and expandable. When we approach challenges with a growth mindset, we’re more likely to view them as opportunities for learning and development. We can also become more resilient in the face of setbacks since we’re less likely to see them as evidence of our limitations.

By fostering a growth mindset, we create a sense of agency and possibility that can help us navigate life’s ups and downs with more ease.

Planning is undoubtedly a helpful habit, but it’s not a fail-safe solution when dealing with life’s unexpected events. The truth is that no matter how carefully we plan, things will inevitably go sideways on occasion. But by cultivating adaptability, we can increase our resilience, reduce our stress levels, and approach challenges with greater ease. By embracing change, letting go of perfectionism, and fostering a growth mindset, we can develop a powerful toolset for navigating life’s twists and turns. So the next time you find yourself facing a challenge or unable to speak the local language, remember the power of adaptability—and trust that you have the inner resources to rise to the occasion. Today Google Translate is a lifesaver, and a couple of decades ago, hand signals worked just as well. Today’s Hashtag: Adaptability