We all know that the one constant in our lives is change.  It’s inevitable.  Confronting new challenges, circumstances, and uncertainties are how we’ve expanded all the areas of our lives.  Human beings are marvels at adapting and changing based on where we find ourselves.  However, when we struggle against the situation, it causes suffering.  We have to be flexible to thrive in our changing environment. 

Research shows that adaptability is the key factor required to succeed.  While the inability to do so is the main reason, people fail.  Those being inflexible cause progress to stop.  Their resistance to change undermines all forward momentum, causes disharmony, lack of enthusiasm, and uncooperativeness.

Being able to adapt to changing circumstances is imperative.  It’s having a growth mindset and the ability to shift and experiment as things change. It’s the capacity to adjust how you deal with people and their personality quirks.  To accept change as positive despite how it first appears.  The ability to revise plans as needed.   It’s considering how the change will affect others and helping them adapt.  

There is only one way to survive and thrive when faced with circumstances out of our control and for which we are unprepared: ADAPT. ~ Charles F Glassman

Why Struggle Against Change?

There is only one reason we consciously choose to fight change, fear.  We are afraid of change.  Whether it’s the fear of the unknown, fear of loss, or fear of failure, fear is the reason we choose to struggle against change. 

Fear of the unknown means that there is an opportunity for something better. Still, our ego only focuses on what may go wrong.  The unfamiliar should be seen as an adventure with endless possibilities.

Fear of loss means that we don’t want the change to take away something we are comfortable having.  But we need to see the new situation as a way for us to grow and to attain something better.  We can assess the risk and still move forward to a better outcome. 

Fear of failure is about how others see you and your abilities. It’s ego-based and keeps you from exploring new areas.  Missing the mark isn’t failing if you have grown and learned from the experience. 

To be able to adapt to change, we need to overcome the ego so that we can be flexible and move forward without fear. 

The measure of intelligence is the ability to change. ~ Albert Einstein

What Causes Adaptability?

Some thrive on change, and then others like routine.  But all of us have become adaptable based on the experiences we’ve had.  The most crucial concept for ease of flexibility is keeping an open mind.  The ability to integrate new information and draw logical conclusions allows you to switch between seeing the details as well as the big picture.  Along with this open mind comes creativity.  Seeing outside the box and seeing new ways of doing something as well as having the confidence to implement the change. 

Be receptive to change.  Responding to a new situation with a positive attitude allows others around you to do the same and not be fearful. It’s knowing that this different state is a learning opportunity that allows everyone to adjust to the new way of doing something.   By modifying your way of approaching the situation, you enable flexible methods to take place as the need arises. 

Life is neither static nor unchanging. With no individuality, there can be no change, no adaptation, and, in an inherently changing world, any species unable to adapt is also doomed. ~ Jean M. Auel

Characteristics of Flexible Leaders

Being able to see new and innovative ways to solve issues and view disruptions as a positive challenge, then a negative setback allows you to thrive in any environment.  Being curious and finding the wonder in the situation allows for flexibility in looking for a solution. 

Asking questions and exploring all avenues before making a decision enables the best outcome.  Having multiple plans of action, so if one doesn’t work, you can quickly move on to the next.  Also, not being attached to any particular strategy, so the outcome is what matters, not how you get there. 

Be clear about your emotions and how you are responding to the conditions around you.  By dealing with any fears or concerns within yourself, you can eliminate them.  Then, you can be up-front with others about how the change is affecting you and help them overcome as well. By choosing how you respond to the new situation, you can help inspire and influence others too.

Change. Adapt. Bend so as not to be broken. Let opportunity guide your actions. ~Wayne Gerard Trotman

Developing Adaptability

To become more flexible, we need to nurture the following skills.    The first is fostering creative thinking.  How we used to do things no longer works, so sticking to those methods is resisting the change that is occurring.  Be willing to experiment and test new ways of doing things.  Open up to new perspectives by share ideas with others to gain a different approach.  Start to question all aspects of the situation to look for patterns and explore from all different angles. 

Next, we need to relax and step back from the problem for a moment.  Accept the uncertainty of a potential solution as you move forward to test it.  Allow for a failure of an idea as a learning process to a better outcome.  This ambiguity is where innovation is born, from the unknown and untested concepts.  Be open to the progression of discovery. 

Learn from everything that happens.  Every obstacle is a learning opportunity when we are looking for a lesson.  Don’t allow the events to pass without gaining some knowledge.  Look for what caused the change.  Determine if it was preventable.  Now that it occurred, clarify how to make the situation better.  Discuss options and determine the course correction to achieve the objective. 

The environment around us is constantly changing, including innovations, friends, employment, and moving to a different location; those who accept and excel at adaptation have smoother transitions, while others struggle. ~ R.J. Intindola

Leading Others Through Change

When we are leading others, and we all are, we have to be able to set the example of being flexible.  We have to show how to shift the focus with fluctuating priorities and not flounder.  Start by remembering that everyone has input they can offer based on their unique perspective and talents.  With those around us participating, we can gain the clarity we need to determine a way to move forward.

We need to understand that while the goal is essential, the way to attain it may have not be a straight line.  Be open to the twists and turns that may need to be taken on the journey.  So, we need to have multiple scenarios to get from point A to point B.  Planning allows for suitable responses to the difficulties of the moment.  A plan of action allows for focus and helps to assess obstacles as well as resources needed.  Although situations change, you as a leader will make suitable adjustments and endure as you move forward. 

This situational awareness enables you to assess the available information and make the necessary adjustments to achieve success.  The change may move you and those around you out of your comfort zone, but stretching ourselves is part of the growth process change initiates.  Since others are watching you, how you move through this process can help them move effortlessly as well. 

The definition of flexibility is being constantly open to the fact that you might be on the wrong track. ~ Brian Tracy

Embracing Change

By accepting that change is inevitable, you can lessen its jarring effect on yourself and others.  Become an early adopter of new technology, systems, or tools that can be beneficial to your goals.  Seeking out new alternatives as possible innovations to how things are currently being accomplished. 

Say yes to every idea that comes your way.  Be open-minded to the views of others.  It’s not about implementing every notion but hearing it out.  By evaluating a new perspective, it may open your mind to other possibilities you haven’t considered.  It also shows others that you respect them and are willing to hear their opinions.

Reevaluate the rules and procedures you have in place regularly.  How it was done in the past doesn’t mean that another way isn’t better.  Staying stagnate doesn’t allow for growth, so plan for regular reviews of the techniques and methods of how you do things and look for better alternatives. 

Moving Forward

We have all adapted to things, so we know that it’s possible.  We’ve learned to get along with other personalities so that we can communicate better with them.  We have modified how we assign work to people based on their skills and talents. So we aren’t unfamiliar with adapting to changing situations. 

Struggling against change is a tool of the ego to keep us stagnate.  With an open mind and what we learned from past experiences, we can see that we are adaptable.  By being curious, asking questions, and understanding how we respond to circumstances, we show our flexibility. 

We need to foster creative thinking, take time to step back to see the big picture, and become aware of all the pieces to the puzzle.  By embracing change through research, hearing other perspectives, and reviewing our methods, we allow change to be a catalyst for growth.  Change will happen, adapting to it moves you to success instead of disappointment. 

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain. ~ Vivian Greene

As you become more conscious of your struggles with change and become aware of your fear, you can become more adaptable.  If you would like to receive more informative and mindful articles right into your mailbox, fill this out. 

Do you need support to help become more flexible?  Do you want a strategy to help you become a more influential leader? If so, please, contact me, and we can put together an action plan for you to create the life you desire.

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Summary

Article Name

It's Proven, We're Marvels of Adaptability and Change

Description

Change is everywhere and happening all the time. As humans, we're uniquely designed to adapt to the change quickly if we know how to embrace our flexibility.

Author

Terri Kozlowski

Publisher Name

Kozmic Soul Solutions LLC

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