(The next instalment in our series called Learning to Love Liminality)
You get to learn to love liminality in your own way.
Here’s what I mean:
You don’t get a choice about whether to adapt to your new reality or not. But you do get a choice about how.
Based on my work as an Adaptability Quotient coach, I can confidently assure you that there are many pathways to being adaptable. And if you can follow the ones you find easiest, you’ll be more energized by the process.
This might sound easy or obvious, but it isn’t, partly because of our negativity bias. Because we focus disproportionately on negative feedback, we think we need to strengthen the adaptability pathways where we score the lowest. Choose the harder road.
But here’s the thing: you don’t need to get good at every pathway to adaptability.
Just get good at yours.
It’s like following a trail that’s already been cleared for you rather than hacking your way through dense bush to get to the same destination.
What might it look like if you leaned into the adaptability skills you’re already good at?
For some of you, that skillset includes grit and resilience. For others it’s mental flexibility and unlearning. Some of you find it easy to stay hopeful and maintain a growth mindset. Others rely on your team and your organization to create environments that help you stay nimble. Or you keep your work stress at a manageable level.
Adapting to a transition does not require you to sharpen all of these skills. Instead, consider this your permission slip to rely on the ones you already find easy.
And if you’re not sure what those are, I’d be happy to help you figure that out.
