Introduction
While many of us feel comfortable in the bubble we surround ourselves with on a daily basis, the reality is that life is never consistent for long. You’ve probably even changed some things in your daily routine in as little as the past few months. When we look into the future, it’s hard to imagine how things may change from what’s familiar now without feeling a sense of apprehension. However, it’s important to learn to adapt and change with the world around us.
Change is an inevitable part of life. Our world is constantly changing due to intellectual discoveries, technological advances, and cultural shifts. It’s imperative that we stay on top of these changes to adapt and thrive in a changing world in both our professional and personal lives so we aren’t left behind.
So, what are some of the ways you can learn how to adapt and thrive in a changing world? Check out these top six tips!
Keep an Open Mind
It’s natural to be suspicious or apprehensive about changes – big or small. We like our lives to have a certain level of predictability and some of us are more prone to seeking our comfort zones than others. Keeping an open mind when presented with changes or progressions can unsettle us because we feel our ‘normal’ being taken away.
“Keeping an open mind is one of the biggest components of adapting and thriving in a changing world,” says Adam Bém, Co-Founder and COO of Victoria VR. “Having an open mind doesn’t mean that you give up on your values or beliefs or routines, but it allows you to see things from another perspective to understand why this change might be necessary for some people or even for yourself. Rather than shutting down because it’s new and scary, you should keep an open mind toward new ideas and explore how it could benefit you too.”
Practice Exiting Your Comfort Zone
We’re often drawn to a routine and a ‘safe zone’ that allows us to live our lives comfortably. However, we also live in a world that is constantly changing and growing which makes it hard to thrive if we never leave that comfort zone. By practicing exiting our comfort zones, we help our brains learn that ‘new’ doesn’t equate to ‘dangerous’.
“Look for opportunities to stretch yourself and try things you might not like,” says Ryan Azimi, Director of International Development of ETIAS. “The more we expose ourselves to things that aren’t ‘safe’ in terms of being inside our comfort zone, the less we resist change when we’re faced with it in our ever-changing world. Try a new hobby or attend an event that’s not your cup of tea to explore why others enjoy it and learn more about yourself in the process.”
Continuously Learn
Learning is something that is a massive part of our lives as children and young adults, but sometimes we forget that learning is something we have to actively seek out. Learning about changes or events that could affect your life now or in the future can help you adapt and thrive in a changing world.
“Research into things like up-and-coming practices in your field or new technologies that are emerging can help you be ready to adapt to the changes that they might bring to your world,” says Stephen Skeel, Co-Founder and Executive Producer of 7 Wonders Cinema. “Staying on top of things within your industry by following the accounts of industry leaders on professional and social networking sites can also help you learn more about what to expect in the upcoming years in terms of change in the workplace.”
Be Curious
Curiosity actually embodies a bunch of skill sets that can benefit you professionally and personally. Being able to explore new ideas and keep an open mind requires a certain level of curiosity that stems from critical thinking abilities which is one of the most sought-after skills by employers too.
“Learning to question why a change is happening and explore the possibilities that it could open up for you and for others is a big part of adapting and thriving in a changing world,” says Theresia Le Battistini, CEO and Founder of Fashion League. “Curiosity is a foundational piece of exploring the world around us while learning to be creative and open-minded.”
Learn to Balance Caution and Risk-Taking
Our natural inclination when we’re faced with new things is to approach with caution to protect ourselves. However, it’s important to know how to balance caution and appropriate risk-taking when it comes to trying new things.
“Both caution and risk-taking have their place when adapting and thriving in a changing world,” says Anamika Goyal, Head of Architecture and Design of Cottage. “You don’t want to be so cautious that you never try anything new and end up falling behind, but you also don’t want to be reckless and cause problems by taking too many risks. Learning to balance your desire to maintain safety while trying these new things that are constantly emerging in a changing world is an integral skill set if you want to thrive.”
Look for Opportunities
Learning to adapt and thrive in a changing world sometimes means seeking out these changes that you might have to face head-on. Look for opportunities to explore new ideas, grow in creativity, and challenge yourself. These opportunities often allow you to explore new things in a more controlled environment that can allow you to thrive in the future.
“Looking for opportunities to try new skills, technologies, or even new methods of problem-solving can greatly increase your success in life,” says Benjamin Meskin, President of Cabrella. “Actively seeking out situations where you can practice these up-and-coming ideas can help you thrive in the future as you stay ahead of the crowd.”
Conclusion
Thinking about change can bring on a myriad of thoughts and emotions. Maybe you are excited by new opportunities but nervous about changing your current habits or practices. These conflicting emotions can make it difficult for us to adapt and thrive in a changing world. Lucky for you, you’ve just read a bunch of tips that you can utilize to overcome these feelings of apprehension and hesitancy that you might feel as you think about adapting and changing your life to keep up with a changing world.
Keeping an open mind as you learn new things about the world can help you discover new ways to approach situations both professionally and personally. You should always live life with curiosity and a desire to try something new outside of your comfort zone to expand your horizons so you’re ready for any changes that might come your way. It’s also a great idea to look for opportunities to challenge yourself too.
Hopefully, these tips and tricks have helped you explore some ways to adapt and thrive in a changing world!
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