Adaptability – Ideas on Managing Life’s Unexpected Events

Chances are you won’t get what you want or where you want to go without changing course at least once. Let’s face it, life throws us “curve balls”. Some examples of life’s “curve balls” include job loss, chronic illness, unexpected pregnancies, relocation, major injury, traumatic events and unplanned financial burdens. It’s not a good idea to think these things won’t happen to you because at least one of them to some degree likely will. So how do you prepare for it? If it happens, how do you cope? The key lies in how adaptable are you.

Successful people will tell you they have not been immune to life’s “curve balls”. They have learned how to deal with them and in many cases use such unexpected events to create the life they want. Remember the phrase “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade?”

Here are a few ideas on ways to handle life’s “curve balls”:

Losing your job
- Re-examine what really matters to you and find ways to create new income in a job or business that you are passionate about
- Travel to places you have always yearned to go
- Spend time volunteering in your community for causes you believe in

Chronic Illness or Sudden Injury
- Identify your strengths
- Determine how you can use your strengths to bring personal fulfillment
- Be realistic about your limitations
- Believe you are not defined by your illness
- Ask for help and support from those around you
- Be grateful for what you do have

Relocation
- Be prepared. Create lists of things that need to be done and take notes of conversations.
- If possible, visit the new location to get a feel for the types of housing available, associated costs, schooling available, etc.
- Moving is a great time to purge unwanted items that you have accumulated. Take time to go through things as you pack. Donate, sell or give away your unwanted items.

Of course, this isn’t a comprehensive list but it should serve as a reminder that with any change in life, there are options. The options may not appear immediately but they do exist. There is no right way to do anything. Find a way that works for you to handle life’s “curve balls” without losing your spirit or personality. Once you have some success and feel more confident in your ability to adapt to change, it becomes easier to take on bigger changes in life.

I have faced more rough patches in life than I ever dreamed of including chronic illness, my father’s cancers, childrens’ surgeries, an ADHD child, caring for a grandparent with dementia, single parenthood, medical issues with my mother and moving more than 12 times and several job changes. Through it all, others have admired my courage and tenacity. I now use the skills learned and the knowledge gained from my own personal skills to help others who are experiencing difficulties living the life they want. So, know that you are not alone and there is always support. I truly believe that there has been a purpose in everything I have been through. Everything brings with it an opportunity to learn, you just need to be open to the learning.

What have you been through? What did you learn that could be useful to others? Feel free to share through the comments on this blog. If you would like to talk with me about possible support in your journey, feel free to contact me.