How to Adjust When the Unthinkable Happens

Never think it can't happen to you.

As an agility researcher, I suggest people fortify their agility habit to stay relevant in the workplace. The idea is simple but profound: prepare for the unexpected and be ready to adapt when life delivers the unpleasant and the unforeseen.

Think about that for a moment.

Despite your best intentions and careful planning, anything can happen. The landscape of your personal and professional lives are filled with uncertainties and unforeseen obstacles.

Several years ago, I went through a divorce after a 10-year marriage. It was a slow-motion version of an unpleasant scene on perpetual replay. It was difficult to concentrate.

There were tears that had to be hidden from the real world.

Each day felt like a battle with self-doubt, as I questioned my worth and struggled to reassemble my identity into a functional version of myself. I had always believed that such a profound disruption couldn't happen to me.

Yet it did.

The same holds true in the workplace. You often think your careers are stable and your roles secure. Jobs are being replaced because of automation and AI.

Industries evolve, companies restructure, and the demands of your job can change overnight. How do you gain your inner stability in such a volatile environment?

Ryan Holiday, in his book The Obstacle is the Way, emphasizes a mindset shift:

"Stop looking for angels and start looking for angles."

This means you shouldn't wait for external saviors to resolve your issues. Instead, seek solutions within your control, harnessing the resources and knowledge you already possess.

Take Charge of Your Response

Yes, figure it out. Don’t wait to be saved. Ask for help when it makes sense. Reaching out isn't a sign of weakness but a strategic move to gather support and perspectives that will help you navigate through turbulent times.

Embrace Resilience

Learn from a setback. Angela Duckworth, author of Grit, points out, "Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals."

Practical Steps to Build Resilience and Adaptability

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. Carol Dweck, in her book Mindset, explains how believing that abilities can be developed leads to greater achievement. I like to think negative circumstances are not a life sentence.
2. Continue Learning: Stay curious and keep learning when change requires you to upskill and reskill to stay current. The skills that got you here may not be the ones that will take you forward.
3. Build a Support Network: Cultivate relationships that provide emotional and professional support. Leaning on others during tough times and reciprocating in their times of need will help build a resilient community around you. Networks are always more successful when they are built before you need them.
4. Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your physical and mental health. Resilience is not just about mental fortitude. It is about maintaining the energy and well-being needed to handle stress. As an example, walking along the lakefront in the early morning on most days creates a canvas of possibility and optimism.

Reflecting on Personal Growth

What is the one thing you gained from a setback in your life or work? For me, the most valuable lesson was to double down on belief in myself and my abilities. No one is standing at the ready to save you.

Inspiring Examples

Consider Thomas Edison, who famously said,

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

His relentless pursuit of innovation despite countless setbacks highlights the necessity of consistency and brilliance of analyzing the problem from a new angle.

Similarly, J.K. Rowling, who faced numerous rejections and personal hardships before publishing Harry Potter, demonstrates how persistence in the face of adversity can lead to extraordinary success.

Final Thoughts

Agility and resilience are not just traits to develop but essential life skills. Remember to look for multiple angles, rather than staying stuck. And sometimes the only way past a problem is by going through it.

Care to share your approach when the unthinkable happened?

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Want to ease into AI and make it your superpower? ?? For insights on mindset agility, strategies and tactics for AI in the workplace, and the future of work, reach out. I am Marti, a workplace futurist available for keynote speaking, workshops, and training.