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Why do some people in a stressful situation get lost and panic, while others, on the contrary, concentrate? How should we deal with change? And what can we develop in ourselves to have a better chance of survival? These and other questions are answered by an expert.
We are living in a period of extraordinary change. They happen so fast that it is impossible to make plans not only for the year ahead, but even for tomorrow. Jobs are being lost, businesses are closing, important events are being canceled, and weddings, moves, and vacations are being postponed. The habitual daily routine associated with work, school, weekend rest — everything that has been the basis of our stability and confidence all our lives — is in the past.
The further you go, the greater the uncertainty. We do not know if jobs will return, if we will be able to come to the children’s graduation, when it will be possible to travel, as before, and not be afraid for the health of relatives. Many of us don’t know if we can pay our rent or our mortgage. And most importantly, no one can predict when all this will stop.
There is no doubt that we are going through a period of acute discomfort. But a leap in development always takes place at moments of crisis, the period of the breakdown of the old system — political, economic, social.
The era of stagnation, no matter how tempting and safe it may seem, always leads to regression. And it is only our choice and responsibility — to continue to cling to what is becoming history before our eyes, or to accept the fact that the old way will no longer be, adapt to the changes and move on.
What is adaptability and why do we need it?
Adaptability is the ability to cope with and benefit from change. The ability to recover when unforeseen events change life plans, to be creative and flexible in new, unfamiliar situations.
Most of us, when faced with something unusual, seem to turn off, fall into a stupor.
We struggle with the problem, but we cannot come up with a solution, as we limit ourselves to only the experience that we have. However, the changes are like a rip current — a powerful stream of water that arises perpendicular to the shore and moves in the opposite direction from it. If we fight and row towards land, we will very quickly be exhausted and die. Instead, you can ride change like waves — even if we fall, a new rise will soon follow.
This is the essence of adaptability. Thanks to it, we not only quickly adapt and act in unforeseen circumstances, but also create changes ourselves and start processes that will lead to positive changes. We respond positively to changes, think flexibly, but at the same time remain true to our values.
Can adaptability be learned?
What if the ability to adapt is not in our nature? If we know from experience that we do not welcome change, can we learn from it?
Some people are indeed inherently more adaptive, so they have an easier time in today’s unpredictable world, while others struggle and have a hard time with change. However, adaptability is a skill that can be learned and developed.
For starters, it’s worth abandoning long-term or very detailed planning from A to Z.
Instead, you need to learn how to plan well for the next one or two steps. Then we will be sure that we can plan the next few steps after that. We are relinquishing global control, which means we are relinquishing anxiety about a future that cannot be controlled. Thanks to this, we can focus on solving current problems and doing it as efficiently as possible.
Another starting point for developing adaptability is a sense of gratitude. In any situation, you can find something, even the smallest, for which we are grateful. This emotion gives a sense of stability and security, what is needed in the face of endless change.
How to develop adaptability
1. Do something that usually makes you afraid or pushes you out of your comfort zone.
For example, talk to a stranger if communication is not easy for you. Take the subway to work if you haven’t used public transport in a while. Ask a colleague or loved one for help if this is difficult for you and you are used to doing everything yourself. It should be a small, simple, but unusual action associated with discomfort.
2. Solve issues in which you are not an expert
If you are a humanist, try solving math problems. If you find it difficult to express your thoughts, take a writing class. Create situations for yourself in which you will have to go beyond the usual ways of behavior and response. Thanks to this, the brain will build new neural connections that allow you to think flexibly.
3. Work on new habits
It is not necessary to try to immediately and globally change your lifestyle — in this case, you will almost certainly not succeed. But if you gradually introduce small changes, after six months you will be surprised at how much you have achieved. And all this will contribute to the development of brain plasticity and your adaptability.
4. Consider different scenarios and how you will act in each case.
This will allow you to look beyond the usual scenarios and be ready for any outcome, even a negative one. If you have a plan of action ready, then there will be confidence that you are able to find a solution in any circumstances.