Goals are a vital part of how we can succeed in life. They give us direction and focus and help us to measure our progress. Setting goals also helps to motivate us to work harder and be more productive. But what happens when the path we thought would get us there changes? Do you have a plan B? Are you prepared to shift course into the unknown?

Have you ever given up on a goal because the path forward had an unexpected obstacle, and you didn't know what to do? What you had your sights set on now seems entirely out of reach. Your goal hangs in the balance, and the path forward is not what you expected.

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 beyond our boundaries and 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.

We really only had two goals. The first was to explore the unknown. Check. The second was to get home. Although the second goal required some help, we could still accomplish it. We just had to resort to plan B. But being able to move to the contingency required two things from us.

1. Adapt to the situation

It’s called adaptive capacity. Over time, we learn how to solve problems, create change, or conquer goals by seeing new possibilities. We must be comfortable 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.

2. Absolute focus on the goal

You may have to adapt, but that doesn’t mean you give up. Our goals can change, and how we achieve those goals will change. What can’t change is your commitment to those goals. Seeing it through requires a laser-like focus.

We were thrilled to have accomplished our goal of discovering the unknown, but once we realized the urgency of getting home, we zeroed in on the goal at hand—nothing would distract us.

Conclusion

So today, as you think about your goals, think about the road you're on to accomplish those goals. The road will likely change. You will likely come upon unchartered territory, unexpected opportunities, and unforeseen obstacles. As you look for one thing, you likely find something completely different. You might be ready to conquer a river, but you need to climb a mountain instead. You came prepared to work with one set of tools but soon discovered you must 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.