Adaptive Capacity
Have you ever given up on a goal because the path forward had an unexpected obstacle, and you didn't know what to do?
As kids, one of our favorite things in the summer was riding bikes throughout the neighborhood until dark. We didn't have the luxury of cell phones, so my dad would stand on the porch and yell for my brother and me. My dad always told us that if we couldn't hear him, then we went too far. The burning question was always, "how loud could dad yell?"
But of course, as kids, we pushed the limit and ventured out beyond our boundaries and our comfort zones. We thought of ourselves as keen explorers discovering what no other kid (at least that we knew) had ever seen before. New neighborhoods, new wooded areas with incredible bike trails, new routes to school, and new convenience stores to stock up on much-needed supplies.
On one of our epic adventures, we simultaneously got lost and heard my dad calling. In an instant, we went from sheer joy to terrified. We have to go home now! But we have no idea how to get there. We weren't prepared for this moment. The goal of getting home was clear as day, but we didn't have the knowledge or the tools to adapt to our new and unknown environment and find a way home.
We caved. Found a payphone and sheepishly called home for a ride.
So what happens when your goal hangs in the balance and the path forward is not what you expected?
It's called adaptive capacity. Over time, we learn how to solve a problem, create change, or conquer a goal by seeing new possibilities. We have to be comfortable with saying "I don't know" and learn as we go. My brother and I couldn't see the possibility of how to get home. We weren't far away, but the landscape was far too unfamiliar. Our goal stayed the same, but we need a newly charted course.
Goals are a vital part of how we can succeed in life. But what happens when the path we thought would get us there changes? Are you prepared to shift course into the unknown?
So today, as you think about your goals, think about the road you're on to accomplish those goals. It's likely the road will change. You will likely come upon unchartered territory, unexpected opportunities, and unforeseen obstacles. It's likely as you look for one thing, you find something completely different. You might be ready to conquer a river, but instead, you need to climb a mountain. You came prepared to work with one set of tools but soon discovered you would have to learn to use an entirely new set.
Mastering adaptive capacity will not only help you achieve some of your greatest goals, but it will also open up a world you have yet to discover.
Challenges/Points:
We all have goals we want to accomplish, but sometimes those goals are met with circumstances we did not expect.
Being successful means we need to develop adaptive capacity.
We must always be ready to learn to use new tools for the road ahead.
Questions:
Think about the goals you have. Is everything going as expected, or are you encountering unforeseen obstacles?
Now be honest with yourself. Are you more prone to give up, or do you have the necessary adaptive capacity to keep toward your goals?
What is one step you can take today to get closer to your goal regardless of the circumstances?
To talk more about this or something else on your mind text the number 494949 to chat with our team or visit RemedyLIVE.com/chat anytime, day or night.
Did someone send you this post, and you want to subscribe to our free self care guide? Text CARE to 494949 to receive daily posts.
