The ability to adapt to change means you are a flexible person. And that's a great and very helpful feature. A change doesn't necessarily have to be something traumatic or negative. This process can lead to wonderful positive developments.
“Either you adapt or you perish.” You've probably heard this or something similar before. We learn from a young age that we must face every single challenge, which can lead to a negative inner monologue. But does this mechanism actually work that way? Why is the ability to adapt to change so important?
The truth is that in recent months we have all had to adapt to the changing environment. And everything that surrounds us. It's as if our current reality has been forced upon us and there's nothing we can do about it except accept it. But it's completely normal to initially feel insecure and frustrated when faced with this situation. Because in reality, the human brain doesn't like change all that much. In fact, it perceives any change in the environment as a threat.
But there is another and undeniable fact: life is synonymous with change. As Heraclitus once said: “No one steps into the same river twice, because it is not the same river and it is not the same person”. Knowing how to adapt to this constant flow of life is the key to health and well-being.
This explains why psychologists have focused on the area of human adaptability in recent years. The ability to adapt to change is actually something very fascinating, so let's delve deeper into it in today's article.
What exactly does the ability to adapt to change involve?
Let us begin our reflections with a quote from the great Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one that can best adapt to change. "Today, the demonstration of getting by or not enduring has substantially less significance than it once did. There are many individuals who "remain alive" in spite of being unyielding and embracing an unbending mental viewpoint.
One could say that today no one dies if he or she cannot adapt to the demands of their environment. However, these people are at higher risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders. The reality is that maladjustment brings suffering. Those who refuse to change will be frustrated and angry because reality will ultimately not turn out the way they want.
But this dimension is not only relevant for the individual. Companies and societies as such also know and understand that investments in three dimensions are essential to moving forward: learning ability, liquidity, and mobility. Adaptability to change is the only mechanism that allows an individual to progress.
Bringing emotions, thoughts, and behavior into harmony
The American Mental Affiliation (APA) characterizes flexibility in an exceptionally basic way. Basically, it is the ability to respond appropriately to changing situations. To adapt to change, you must be able to vary your behavior, thoughts, and emotions accordingly.
First of all, it is important to keep a certain aspect in mind. If you ask someone what adaptability is, they might tell you that it is the ability to change one's behavior in order to survive. Although this definition is fundamentally correct, it is still incomplete. Of course, in order to adapt, you also have to be creative find new ways of thinking, and reactivate certain emotions.
However, without the appropriate attitude, you won't be able to generate new ideas. And without innovative, confident, and courageous thoughts, you won't develop appropriate behaviors.
Being adaptable doesn't mean changing yourself
Many people are convinced that there is nothing better than a fresh start. Some even assume that adapting or failing necessarily means abandoning or rejecting everything that they are. They believe that they must mold a new version of themselves at any cost. However, it is very important that you discard many of these common assumptions and ideas because, upon closer analysis, they are not very logical.
If you want to adapt to change, you don't have to start from scratch. You are not a snake; you can't just shed your skin and go on living with another. This would go against your nature, your experiences and knowledge, your values, and your entire identity. If you want to learn what adapting to change means to you, pay attention to the skills that have helped you in life so far. Think about which behaviors have been helpful and eliminate those that don't benefit you. Instead, focus on learning new helpful behaviors and strategies.
If you want to implement this, it requires intense introspection and introspection. Maybe your self-confidence is one of your strengths that is of great importance. But you may lack transcendence. Or you may need to learn to think more creatively and recognize opportunities in difficult times. Developing all these new approaches is essential, but at the same time, this is also a way to maintain your personal essence.
The ability to adapt to change and tolerance for uncertainty
Andrew J. Martin, Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Sydney in Australia, has been studying people's adaptability for many years. In one of his studies, he pointed out that students' educational and academic outcomes would improve significantly if they were taught to be tolerant and adaptable in times of uncertainty.
The ability to accept the unknown and process it without fear or resistance facilitates better adaptation to change. Furthermore, when faced with difficulties, it is crucial that you also recognize the opportunities that can arise.
Mental flexibility won't hurt you
Adaptability to change will never hurt you. Instead, this skill makes you grow. Because if you can adapt to every conceivable situation, you won't give up so easily. In fact, it gives you this emotional, cognitive, and affective flexibility that helps you adapt to your reality with better resources and greater intuition. In contrast, inflexibility can harm you because mental rigidity only hinders your growth process.
As you can see, it is very important that you refine and improve these skills. And we are sure that every person has these abilities within them. You just have to develop them and then use them to your advantage.
