Maybe you have heard me already telling you - my go-to word/skill/value for 2025 is ADAPTABILITY
We live in a world that is changing rapidly - thanks to AI and many other influences - the only certainty in life is the fact that change is inevitable.
Let's skip the long theory session and vague general fluff - here are 10 things you should try to increase your adaptability.
Let me know how it went! I am definitely going for number 3 this week...
- Switch Up Your Commute/Place of Work Take a different route to work once a week. Use public transport, bike, or even walk if possible. And if you're going to tell me - Hey, I work remotely - well try to work from a different location occasionally.
- Take a Spontaneous Day Trip Don't overthink it, pick a nearby destination you’ve never been to and head there with no strict plan. Maybe call a friend you don't normally go on trips with to join you. Let the day unfold naturally.
- Attend a Community Event Go to a local meetup, workshop, or festival in your area. It’s a great way to meet new people and experience something unfamiliar. It is a great adaptability challenge especially if you are a bit introverted like me
- Say Yes to a New Project at Work Volunteer for a task outside your comfort zone, like leading a meeting, testing a new tool, or helping another department. This is a great way to burst your bubble and learn to adapt. Just be careful - you don't want to overcommit.
- Try a New Dish Every Week Order something unfamiliar at a restaurant or cook a recipe from a cuisine you’ve never tried before. Go out and buy some ingredients you never used in your cooking before - you will figure out what to cook later!
- Learn One New Tech Tool Dedicate a weekend to learning to proficiently use a tool you’ve avoided (e.g., Canva, Excel macros, or a coding language/framework). Whatever. It will give you +1 to your preparedness toolbox.
- Tidy up Your Workspace You should declutter your workspace. Clear out unnecessary items on your desk. Do the same cleanup in your digital world - stale notes, bookmarks, old files... A streamlined space keeps your mind open for change.
- Set a Weekly “Change Challenge” Do one thing differently each week - it can be anything. Sit in a new spot at meetings, listen to a different music genre, or adjust your workout routine. Just one thing every week, however small or huge.
- Try a “No Favorites” Day This is a little twist on the previous - For one day, avoid your usual go-to’s: skip your favorite coffee, playlist, or lunch spot. See how breaking routines feel.
- Spend a Day Without Technology Go 24 hours without your phone, laptop, or TV. Experience the slower pace and focus on in-person experiences.
?? What’s one unexpected, unplanned thing you did recently?
I run a podcast called Software Engineering Tales. Every week I talk with an interesting guest with SWE background, about his/her journey throughout the industry and advice for software engineering professionals.
You can find it here on YouTube, or just search wherever you listen to your podcasts.
I know that many people don't want to invest immediately 30-60 minutes of time into listening to podcasts - so you can find one useful lesson around software engineering every week in the substack newsletter - here is the last one, see for yourself and subscribe if you like it:
