Adaptability In The Modern World

Josh Kaufman in his new book How to Fight a Hydra states: “People strive to make their world comprehensible, predictable, and rewarding, but their locus of control extends only so far. No matter who you are, what you do, or the resources you have at your disposal, you have to learn to live with uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and fear of the unknown. That’s the cause of our discontent: we want to be assured of the outcome before we invest.” To clarify – A person with an internal locus of control believes that he or she can influence events and their outcomes, while someone with an external locus of control blames outside forces for everything. For more on this topic visit Psychology Today – Article by Richard B Joelson DSW, LCSW – research and findings you may find interesting.

This leads to the topic of my article – adaptability. We live on an ever changing, shifting, and unsettling planet. The world stage has everyone at each others throats, mass shootings have increased, politics have created even more division, racial unrest is off the charts, the weather is unpredictable, as is our future. We can focus on fear, which keeps us nearsighted, or we can choose to adapt and widen our scope of vision. The best way forward is to accumulate skills that will assist us when we need them most. Caution and a sense of humor are required skills!

Politics, religion, race and philosophy – have you noticed we take ourselves very serious in those arenas? Some lose their grip on reality and are unable to adapt. The outer world is a trickster indeed – so beware. It’s important for adapters to roll with the flow, taking action when and where it is most needed. Many reach for defense mechanisms, while others choose coping mechanisms.

“The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” – Kakuzo Okakura

Although change can be uncomfortable, it is a constant, and can become a driving force for the shifts we may need in our lives. Those resistant to change will have a more challenging time in the coming years. Stagnation is suffocating, fear is paralyzing. When a shit storm hits our lives, adaptability becomes a powerful tool. The levels and layers within change (looming, or unexpected) make us more courageous and adaptable, giving us the opportunity to view life through a much wider lens.

On a personal note: I lost several immediate family members in a few short years. I had to learn to adapt, or let my soul die. The loss of a loved one, the loss of a limb, living with a handicap, the end of a marriage, job, or any event (positive or negative) changes our perspective, defining and shaping who we become. All I can say is, allow your soul to do it’s work. Take the time to expand into the best ‘adaptable’ version of yourself in the modern world.