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Beyond Limits with Damien Strategies for Adaptability in a Fast-Paced World
Damien
February 25, 2024
First things first, I never really understood why I should be able to quickly adapt to new situations, especially when I was starting out. Now, over time and after doing some research, I've understood why it is so important and why everybody who wants to achieve more than the average person needs to be adaptable.
Maybe you're asking yourself, "What does it really mean to be adaptable?" In my own words, it means the "ability to respond effectively to different scenarios and challenges." So, in the next couple of minutes, I will show you why adapting is necessary and how you can attain this skill set.
The Fast-Paced World of the Last Couple Years
In the last couple of years, we've seen an uprising in the tech sector. Every day, there are new companies and new ideas emerging in the sector. The first iPhone was released in 2007, and since then, there has been a whole revolution. It changed the way we communicate and interact with each other completely. In 2011, 35% of Americans had a smartphone; now, the number has risen to more than 80%. I know some people who never had a phone, and let me tell you, they are missing out. Not only on information but also on opportunities.
I know it's a trend for some people to say the phone has ruined us, but I say, in some hands, it's a great tool, and in others, it's destruction.
Another big indicator of a fast-paced world is the lifespan of trends. I'm not talking about fashion trends because they can really last for a longer period of time. I'm talking, for example, about TikTok trends; they approximately last for about 90 days until we get bored.
What Kind of Change can We Expect?
What is clear is that fewer young adults will use rote tasks but spend more time using technology and networks to solve large-scale problems. That definitely means the market will shift, and new entrepreneurial thinking comes into play—new ideas, new companies, new workplaces. According to McKinsey, the next decade will see a decreasing demand for basic cognitive and physical skills and a spike in demand for technical, social, and higher cognitive skills. As you can see, big changes are coming our way, and people who are able to adapt to new situations quickly and can see their chance in new things will succeed and profit from it.
Strategies to Learn for More Adaptability
1.Excitement for Change
Most people don't like change; hey, even I hated it. "It was working before, so why change it?" is the common thing we tell ourselves when something new occurs. But think about this; Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, "Change is the only constant in life." And if you really think about it, it's true; our life is changing constantly, so why are we so afraid? I think it comes from being scared of risk because you can't be 100% sure the outcome will be great since you've never done it before. So what you need to build is cognitive adaptability; this means thinking through different potential scenarios and planning for various outcomes but being okay with whatever the result is going to be. This way of thinking won't guarantee you that you will make the right decision, but it helps you structure your thoughts during the decision-making process.
2.Being Open-minded
A big problem I also had was only seeing my point of view. By doing that, I automatically eliminated every other outcome except my own because I thought it was the only one and the right one, which is absolutely wrong. By learning to think about somebody else's thought process, you will see that there are so many solutions to a problem or a new challenge which will help you make smarter decisions more quickly. Plus, it helps you with connecting with new people way faster.
3.Growth Mindset
Being someone who is really adaptable also means being someone who is willing to learn and grow. Realizing when you're not the smartest in the room and starting to ask questions. Sometimes you need to put your ego to the side in order to learn and become someone who is extremely capable.
!!Reminder!!
Being adaptable does not mean you're a yes man or that you can't have your own opinion. It rather means that you are able to change your thought process in a way to still work under different circumstances.
We talked a lot about adaptability for the future to make it more crucial, but you also need it right now. Your life is changing every day—new challenges, new people, new problems. For all these key moments, being able to adapt will ensure your success, and you will still be able to push Beyond your Limits. Join the newsletter if you haven't already and follow us on Twitter to stay updated during the week: @Damienguides, @Blueprintbrief. If it was helpful, share it with someone else on their journey of improvement.