Roselle Umlas
If there’s anything we can be sure of in life, it’s that the only thing that’s constant is change. And the way you deal with change makes a big difference in terms of growth and happiness.
Are you the type who’s always willing to take on new challenges and adjust to changes in your life? Then you might just be a highly adaptable person who thrives in any situation. You’ve got what it takes to make it in life!
But how do you know if you are indeed one?
In this article, I’ll show you ten signs that you can embrace change and see it as a positive force for growth. Let’s dive in!
1) You’re comfortable with uncertainty
I’ll start with the basic mindset an adaptable person should have, and that’s being okay with not knowing everything.
You see, much of the conflict in our lives with regard to adaptability arises from our desire to be sure of outcomes. We like knowing what’s going to happen; that way, things will always go according to plan.
But in case you haven’t noticed yet, life is never like that. It’s going to throw curveballs and twists and turns at all those well-laid plans.
And if you can accept that, you’ll be fine. As long as you’re comfortable with the idea that anything could happen, you won’t be super stressed – you’ll even have a backup plan!
2) You can stay positive
Being comfortable with uncertainty gives you another trait of adaptability – you can see the silver lining in any situation.
I get it – change can be scary and overwhelming. But it’s also what allows us to grow and evolve as individuals. Without change, life would become stagnant and predictable.
If you can see this and really take it to heart, good for you! You’ve already leveled up in the adaptability game – seeing change through the lens of growth is what’s going to help you through the rough patches in life.
No matter how bad things get, you’ll always be able to focus on the positive aspects and stay optimistic.
3) You’re willing to take risks
That positive mindset contributes to a more expansive attitude toward life. This makes you more willing to step outside your comfort zone and take risks.
It gives you a more adventurous spirit that’s eager to take on new challenges.
From small things like trying out a new hairstyle to the big stuff like starting your own business, you have the guts to say, “Yes!”
It’s all about being brave enough to push past your fears, which, again, comes back to being okay with uncertainty. As Warren Buffet said, “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.”
You’re not always sure if it’s the right decision, but isn’t that what courage is? It’s not the absence of fear; it’s moving forward despite those fears.
It’s the idea that whatever happens, you know you can handle it!
Which leads me to my next point…
4) You can think on your feet
Part of being willing to take risks is being able to think quickly and make decisions under pressure.
Picture this: You’re on a road trip, having a great time and singing along to your road trip playlist. Suddenly, your car breaks down while you’re in the middle of nowhere. What do you do?
Do you:
- Panic and sit in your car, unsure of what to do?
- Get mad and wail about how life is so unfair?
- Stay calm and improvise – maybe flag down a passing car to help or see if you can fix that leaking hose with duct tape?
Your reaction can show how adaptable you are.
Whether it’s a last-minute change in plans or an unexpected situation, you don’t panic, and you remain calm and focused.
5) You’re resourceful
Resourcefulness goes hand in hand with thinking on your feet. When unpleasant changes happen, you can make the most out of what you have.
Let’s backtrack a bit to that road trip scenario. See where the word “improvise” comes into play? That’s a big part of being adaptable.
Adaptable people like you are resourceful and creative. You can find solutions to problems even when you have only a few resources at your disposal. Whether it’s duct tape, zip ties, or good old thin air – you have the imagination and creativity to make it all work!
So yeah, when change happens? That’s okay, you’ve got this!
6) You can see the big picture
This one’s a bit harder to do, but it’s a clear indicator of your adaptability.
When you can look at a situation from multiple perspectives and see the big picture, you can overcome those little things that get in the way.
Let me tell you a quick story…
My wedding day had a lot of little disasters happening – the flowers were a different color than I’d ordered, my sister (my maid of honor) got sick on the day, and worst of all, I ripped my wedding dress as I was getting out of the car!
Ahh, I was all shades of frazzled, to be sure! It felt like one big comedy of errors!
But – one thought held me together all throughout.
I was getting married to the man of my dreams!
Whatever else happened that day, I could roll with it because I had my eye on the big picture. I knew what mattered most, and that’s what I focused on.
7) You can prioritize effectively
Talking about the big picture reminds me of this next thing – it’s only possible if you know how to prioritize.
See, we only have limited time and energy. And if we had to fuss over every little thing that crosses our path, we’d be rendered paralyzed and useless!
Adaptable people know this, so here’s what they do:
- They identify what’s most important in a situation
- They focus their attention on that
- They stay flexible enough to adjust these priorities as needed
So stop running around like a headless chicken – take a beat and figure out which things need your attention most.
You’d be surprised to discover how much more you’ll get done…and with much less stress!
8) You’re a fast learner
Can you pick up new skills easily? Do you absorb information quickly and apply it to different contexts?
That’s a sign that you’re a highly adaptable person.
Real talk – In a rapidly changing world, fast learners have a better chance of keeping up.
Think about this…only about a decade ago, a lot of the technology we have today wasn’t available yet. But in recent years, there’s been a huge leap in technological innovation, and we now have more stuff to get the hang of.
If you aren’t open to learning new things or you’re slow to learn, you’ll likely fall behind. The truth is, the ability to adapt to changing technologies and environments is one of the things hiring managers look for.
And it’s not just about professional situations. Being a fast learner also gives you a leg up in your personal life.
If you’re quick to learn about how to communicate with other people or how to make them happy, you’re bound to feel more satisfied with your relationships!
9) You are open to feedback
This is connected to my point about being a fast learner. If you’re willing to take feedback, you’ll learn things faster, right?
Here’s the thing – refusing to take feedback means you’re resistant to change. Whatever the reason – whether it’s pride or defensiveness – the fact is, you don’t want to adjust your behavior.
Simply put, it shows rigidity – the opposite of adaptability.
To thrive in any situation, you need to be open to feedback and use it as an opportunity to grow and improve.
As an old quote by thought leader Ken Blanchard goes, “Feedback is the breakfast of champions!”
10) You are patient
Finally, let’s talk about patience. Adaptability requires patience – lots of it.
Because the truth is, no matter how flexible we are, change doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes it can take a while to adjust to a new situation or environment.
That’s why highly adaptable people like you practice patience and perseverance. You know that learning a new skill could take longer than you expected, so that keeps you from feeling frustrated when you’re not as good as you want to be yet.
And…this might sound roundabout, but your adaptability and patience work as a mutually beneficial cycle. You’re patient because you can adapt to changes, and you’re adaptable because you’re patient.
See how that works? Basically, it’s all about knowing and trusting that things will work out in the end!
Final thoughts
In today’s fast-paced world, adaptability has become an essential skill for success. With technological advances, economic and political shifts, and various relationship dynamics, the ability to quickly adjust to changing circumstances has never been more important.
Do you recognize yourself from this list? Then, you should relax. You’ve got what it takes to handle whatever life throws at you and thrive! in your personal and professional lives!
