Carolyn Smagalski

Ignite Your Passion

Founder - Editor - Host

In Chaos to Coherence, Doc Childre and Bruce Cryer write, "Flexibility and adaptability do not happen just by reacting fast to new information. They arise from mental and emotional balance, the lack of attachment to specific outcomes, and putting care for self and others as a prime operating principle.  Flexible attitudes build flexible physiology.  Flexible physiology means more resilience in times of challenge or strain.  Staying open — emotionally — insures internal flexibility."  When you remain flexible, you can move and react to situations more effectively, much like a champion racquetball or tennis player. 

It is important to see circumstances as they evolve.  The situation is never the same as it was when it began.  As the evolution of change occurs, constantly re-assess your circumstance and adjust your actions.  "During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change, the essence of adaptation involves a keen sensitivity to what should be abandoned — not what should be changed or introduced. A willingness to depart from the familiar has distinct survival value," said Peter F. Drucker.

Flexibility has been a part of the human make-up since the dawn of civilization.  The flip side of our ability to change is the learned "fear of the unknown," which sometimes prevents our natural affinity to adjust, when needed.  This is why it is necessary to constantly evaluate a challenging situation as we, and others, become involved in its solution.  

Arm yourself with the power of flexibility.  Winston Churchill wrote, "In war as in life, it is often necessary when some cherished scheme has failed, to take up the best alternative open, and if so, it is folly not to work for it with all your might."  You can easily get lulled into a false sense of security that life is stable.  It rolls in constant motion, set like waves on the ocean.  Financial circumstances can change in a heartbeat.  Jobs change, family members may be affected by health concerns, businesses may become overshadowed by new forms of technology, kids get into trouble.  Those who remain poised for flexibility, despite the changes that occur, will fare with greater success through the shifts that are unavoidable.    

Content copyright © 2003-2008 by Carolyn Smagalski. All rights reserved.  This content was written by Carolyn Smagalski. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission.  Contact Carolyn Smagalski

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