”Adaptability is one of the most important qualities that a person can possess; it is essential to success in life, both professionally and personally. It is also an invaluable tool when it comes to dealing with change and uncertainty. The ability to adapt requires open-mindedness, flexibility and creativity—skills that will serve one well throughout life, no matter what circumstances arise. Adaptability allows one to not only survive but thrive during times of upheaval or difficulty, as well as times of success or growth. It gives the tools needed for personal development, learning new things quickly and effectively, navigating changing relationships and situations gracefully (or even looking forward into them with anticipation), and managing stress better. The foundation for these traits lies in having a strong sense of self-awareness coupled with a willingness to update beliefs about oneself when necessary, so that they remain accurate reflections rather than rigidly adhering to outmoded ones from past experiences.
 

 
In this way, adaptability helps us stay prepared for whatever comes up next! The key steps towards developing greater levels of adaptable thinking starts with examining how one thinks on a regular basis—pinpointing any automatic thoughts or reactions that could potentially lead astray if left unchecked, such as rumination over negative events, people, or outcomes. Awareness here allows one to then start working through different possible scenarios using alternative ways, such as hypothesis testing (what would happen if I tried x instead?), considering “if…then” statements (e.g., if this happens, then I do A), and seeking feedback from trusted circles before making decisions. This careful consideration can help keep perspective balanced and prevent rash reactions, while providing options moving forward—giving more control back into one’s own hands instead of feeling powerless against whatever else may be happening. Additionally, scheduling dedicated reactionary moments (when safe and appropriate) to let off steam and reflecting after big changes take place helps too, allowing those intense emotions to dissipate naturally in order to return to a calmer state more conducive to positive action taking.
 

 
Finally, being open-minded and trying new ideas and approaches sets the tone for the right attitude required to stay flexible and face the variety of external influences that go on in the world today. Reaching a comfort zone outside of one’s usual boundaries encourages responding to situations openly without pre-judgement, setting the stage for further exploration and expansion of perspectives, which encourages growth itself. This process takes practice and patience to get used to, but it is important to never forget that ultimately, everyone is responsible for their own actions and responses in the environment they live in. So try courageously, experiment a bit, and always remember the bigger picture objective and look towards the end result!”

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Guest Post by Stephanie Hampton