Adaptability and flexibility have meanings which are broadly the same but not identical. Adaptable indicates long-term changes; flexible suggests more short-term alterations. One might adapt to the introduction of a new shift pattern, and be flexible enough to work late next Wednesday.

Teachers adapt lesson plans to accommodate for the physical and intellectual needs of each student. They must also be flexible enough to handle unexpected circumstances, such as sudden illness or emergencies

A building might be adaptable enough to accommodate a warehouse or a school (a long-term use), or flexible enough to vary the number of rooms by having easily-moved internal walls (a shorter-term change).

Adaptability Examples

• Suspending judgment
• Uncovering and mitigating risks
• Using many resources to ace given tasks
• Willingness to learn new tasks and strategies
• Suggesting unique ways of increasing work output
• Drawing new conclusions from changing information
• Working part-time while pursuing college studies
• Changing plans at the last minute
• Taking risks! Moving into action without a plan – Planning on-the-go
• Bouncing back from setbacks with a positive attitude
• Developing a “can do” attitude to change
• Shifting priorities in response to the demands of a situation

Flexibility Examples

• Willingness and ability to readily respond to changing circumstances and expectations.
• Admitting an oversight and suggesting alternative ways to avoid similar mistakes
• Customizing cover letters to emphasize skills which correspond to unique requests of job targets
• Delegating routine tasks to focus on priorities
• Enabling workers to vary arrival and departure times as long a they work required hours
• Keeping calm while managing challenges
• Planning ahead, but having alternative options in case things go wrong
• Thinking quickly to respond to sudden changes in circumstances
• Persisting in the face of unexpected difficulties
• Anticipating and responding positively to changing environments
• Taking on new challenges at short notice
• Managing changing priorities or workloads

Job categories that require workers to be adaptable and flexible include: Sales, Marketing, Advertising jobs, Event Manager, Publicist, Journalist, Broadcaster, Mental Health Administrator, Researcher, Teacher, Protective Services workers (military, police, firefighters) Lawyer, Management Consultant, Hospitality jobs (hotel and restaurant managers), Self Employed entrepreneurs.

Take the Quester Quiz to clarify adaptability, flexibility and other Quester traits: http://www.questersdaretochange.com/services-2/quester-quiz/

Strengthening adaptability and flexibility

– Know who you are and what you want. Focus on desired goals, but be open to changing circumstances.

– Focus on the positive. Think about who you want to be and do. Believe in yourself. Look for and expect good things to happen. Avoid phrases such as, “I can’t.”

– Don’t hold grudges or blame others. Listen, understand, make needed changes and move on.

– Be open to new ideas and strategies and adapt to changing circumstances. Continue to learn. Read, take courses. Challenge conventional beliefs. Find better ways to do things. Place no limitations on yourself.

– Look upon something different or unknown as an opportunity to challenge yourself. If you don’t try something new, how will you find out you can do it? View mistakes as learning experiences.

– Use intellect and intuition when making decisions.  Research needed information, then use intuition. For example, ask dreams a question before falling asleep, journal, meditate, relax in nature.

– Be authentic. Do what you feel is right for you, not what others think. Your actions should be consistent with your thoughts and feelings. Don’t succumb to peer or family pressures.

– Manage Fear. Identify worrisome issues. Minimize these by researching relevant information and resources. Live in the present. Let go of “attachments.” Form a support system.

– Enhance courage to risk. Review three successful risks taken. Note what made these successful. Identify perceived barriers for taking another risk, and explore ways to overcome these.

– Strengthen resilience. Approach problems from different perspectives. Ask for feedback from people with diverse backgrounds. Take things out of their ordinary context and create new patterns for them. Notice the number of ways you can use egg or milk cartons. Develop a playful, childlike curiosity. Ask questions, experiment.

– Describe a work or personal situation where you showed flexibility. For example, working for a college degree while meeting changing demands of family members. In addition, recount a situation where you demonstrated adaptability.

Questers Dare to Change provides additional tips for bolstering Quester traits required for success in uncertain times: https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/15r-Life/dp/08408963

Author bio: Carole Kanchier, PhD, is an internationally recognized newspaper/digital columnist, registered psychologist and author of the award-winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life and the forthcoming Arouse the Force Within You!  Dr. Kanchier has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz and University of Alberta, and served as visiting fellow at Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, and other institutions of higher learning. Carole Kanchier is known for her pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to human potential. www.questersdaretochange.com

Who are Questers?

What personality traits enable them to succeed? What gives them inspiration and courage to pursue causes important to them? Could you do the same? 

Are you a Quester? Take the Quester Quiz: http://www.questersdaretochange.com/services-2/quester-quiz/

Questers, who have been around for centuries, represent all ages and backgrounds. They’re not perfect, but possess many characteristics needed to succeed in uncertain times.

My research on lifelong career change and empowerment, described in Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life, illustrates people with Quester qualities. https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1508408963. 

Questers are authentic, have a sense of purpose, courage to risk, and take charge of their lives. They’re confident, resilient, and value intrinsic rewards such as autonomy, challenge, and growth more than external rewards like status, money, and security.

Optimistic, creative, and inner-directed, they view failure as learning experiences and measure success by internal standards. Periodically, they reevaluate goals and make needed modifications to maintain congruence between who they are and what they do.

Individuals, who take a more conventional approach to their careers, are called Traditionalists. Committed to organizational careers, they value external rewards and measure success by how their careers measure up against the approved timetable. Although they may achieve temporary security, future options are limited. In a world of continuous change, security must come from within.

The differences between the types lie on a continuum. Everybody needs some security, growth, and challenge, but the types have different priorities. Quester qualities are healthy and enable us to adapt to change. Questers report higher levels of self awareness, job and life satisfaction, health and longevity than Traditionalists.

Questers create work in harmony with their purpose and move up or down the occupational prestige ladder to achieve fulfillment and growth. Career advancement, to them, means growth of the whole person.

Fred studied mechanical engineering because he loved “fixing things.” He enjoyed his early work but not senior management. Therefore, he created a maintenance position in an apartment complex that enabled him to fix things. “If you’re doing what you like, it’s not work,” he shares. 

Jasmine came to North America from the Philippines when she was 28. She wanted to “learn about the world.” Jasmine took various odd jobs while studying English and software development. For seven years she worked for a software development firm. Now Jasmine is in the process of moving to Saudi Arabia where she can teach her software development skills at an educational institution and learn Arabic. Reflecting on her moves, Jasmine says, “It is challenging, but I feel confident knowing I can do things!”

Attuned to changes within and around them, Questers anticipate layoffs. While his colleagues worried about being laid off, Chen upgraded his skills and contacted employers. He was offered a job the day he received the pink slip.

Some Questers find innovative ways of expressing themselves in large conventional organizations. Curtis, a senior quality assurance manager, began his career as an hourly files inspector with an aerospace organization, 30 years ago. He took leadership and other training which enabled him to advance his career.  Flexible and innovative, Curtis says, “I use intuitive cues and constantly try to do better…”

Questers, ahead of their times may have to buck societal standards. Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer and physicist, was considered a revolutionary by the Church. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. both risked going against the tide of popular opinion to defend causes important to them.

The literature on creativity, self actualization, entrepreneurs, and people who live long, healthy happy productive lives all demonstrate that these individuals possess traits similar to those of the Questers.

Famous Questers who have contributed to humankind include Plato, Galileo Galilei, Thomas Edison, Marie Currie, Albert Einstein, Florence Nightingale, Steven Spielberg, JK Rowling, Nelson Mandela, Usain Bolt, Jesse Owens, and John Glenn.

Few Questers think of “retirement,” but continue involvement in meaningful paid or unpaid activities that give them purpose, direction, and continuing growth. Dr. Ephraim P. Engleman, a pioneering rheumatologist, continued his medical practice and instructed part time at University of California San Francisco, until his death at 104.

Some Quester centenarians are attending school for the first time providing more proof you can teach old dogs new tricks.

Ma Xiuxian, an 102-yer old Chinese woman who never had the opportunity to attend school as a child is making up for that. Ma attends school with her primary grade school class mates. They all enjoy each others friendships and support.

Jeanne Calmet, a French actress, was riding a bicycle at 100 and appeared in the film, Vincent and Me, making her the world's oldest actress. Calment died at 122.

We’re all born Questers, but as we grow older, we lose the excitement for learning. We forget the good feelings that come from mastering challenging tasks. Reprimands, don’ts, and shames result in fear of trying. We set up barriers to growth manifested in expressions of resistance including fear, denial, delay, and low confidence.

Fortunately, we retain Quester qualities within that can be strengthened. Sometimes, crises such as layoffs, illness, and divorce precipitate self-evaluation and growth.
 
Strengthening Quester traits
-  Clarify purpose. Identify themes: absorbing childhood activities, proud accomplishments, when you feel very energetic, a favorite Halloween costume. 
-  Be authentic. Do what’s right for you. Ensure actions are consistent with thoughts and feeling. Set goals in harmony with your purpose. 
-  Believe in yourself.  Focus on positive qualities. Avoid, "I can't."  Don’t compare yourself with others. Judge accomplishments against personal standards and strive for excellence.
- Continue to learn. Read, take courses, volunteer. Challenge conventional beliefs. Recognize and seize opportunities. Find better ways to do things. Try. Place no limitations on yourself.   
-  Enhance courage to risk. Review three successful risks taken. Note what made these successful. Identify perceived barriers for taking another risk and explore ways to overcome these. 
-  Manage fear.  Identify worrisome issues. Minimize these researching relevant information and resources. Live in the present. Let go of "attachments." Form a support system. 
- Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Your Life provides additional tips to strengthen Quester qualities and attain desired goals.
 

Author Bio: Carole Kanchier, PhD, is an internationally recognized newspaper/digital columnist, educator, registered psychologist and author of the award-winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life and the forthcoming Arouse the Force Within You!  Dr. Kanchier has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz and University of Alberta, and served as visiting fellow at Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, and other institutions of higher learning. Carole Kanchier is known for her pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to human potential. www.questersdaretochange.com

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau.

Self talk can boost you up or take you down. Athletes use positive self-talk to reach their personal bests. Some people use negative self-talk to justify the ruts they find themselves in. Mike and Eugene are examples.

Eugene, an engineer with an aerospace firm that was terminating workers, kept telling himself and others that he was going to lose his job. Mike, on the other hand, researched options and sent updated resumes to potential employers. Eugene lost his job. Mike was offered a job the day he received his pink slip. When Eugene learned to restructure his thoughts, and updated skills he attained his desired position.

Several other people who learned the power of positive self-talk are described in award-winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1508408963

Pay attention to your “‘self-talk” – the conversation you have in your head about yourself and the world around you. Is your self-talk positive, growth-oriented, or negative, constraining?

What does this quiz say about you?
Answer “yes” or “no.”

1. I learn from my mistakes.
2. I’m too old to compete with younger job applicants.
3. I know and accept myself.
4. I prefer the tried and true ways of doing things.
5. Career success is defined personally.
6. I do what I “should” rather than what I want.
7. I welcome criticism as a way to grow.
8. I won’t consider relocating for an attractive job elsewhere.
9. My successes are the result of hard work, determination and some ability.
10. I’ll accept a promotion to a job I don’t like for money or prestige.
11. My job gives my life meaning and direction.
12. I’m looking forward to retirement so that I can do what I want.
13. I ‘m flexible, self reliant and optimistic.
14. Career success means having social standing and money to buy the good things.
15. I’ll take a salary cut to further my career.

Scoring: 1 point for each “yes” to odd numbered statements, and each “no” to even numbered ones. The higher your score, the more you possess positive, growth-oriented attitudes. A score of less than 6 suggests your life career could benefit from positive self-talk.

Self-Talk Tips

– Reevaluate your definition of career advancement. View career growth as a lifelong process of personal and professional development — a continuing quest to maintain harmony between who you are and what you do.

– Know yourself and options. Identify your skills, major accomplishments, needs, purpose and other attributes. Explore options that are compatible with your personal characteristics. Specify your ideal job; include field or industry, title, tasks, type of company and location.

Don’t choose an occupation because experts predict it will be in demand or to please others. Rather, select one that is congruent with your personal qualities. If you follow your heart instead of “shoulds,” money may be a by-product.

– Restructure your thinking to that of creating a job rather than applying for one. Reevaluate your career goals periodically. Modify these as you learn more about yourself and your changing environment. Embrace and grow with change.

Recognize you do have options. Testing your options may mean tradeoffs, but usually they’re worth the inconvenience. Know how to market yourself (your product) to prospective buyers (employers).

Continue to learn. Welcome opportunities to discover new technologies and enhance transferable skills, such as computer literacy and verbal communication.

– Think out of the box. Develop and use intuition. Take quiet time daily to tune into your inner self. Meditate on an object, such as a candle flame or mantra. Ask your dreams for direction before falling asleep sleep. Keep a journal. Communicate with nature.

Create a vision board with pictures of your self living your desired lifestyle so it’s in your vision every single day. Affirmations can be excellent tools to keep you motivated towards attaining your goal. You must bring your desired goal into the present moment and fully, emotionally and positively believe that it can and does exist in your current reality.

– Enhancer optimism. Believe good things will happen. Every time you hear your inner voice criticize, stop and think of something positive to say such as “I’m making progress.” Write down things you like about yourself such as “I’m flexible and creative.”  Post the list where you can see it often.

– Exhibit flexibility and resilience. If you’ve been blocked from attaining a desired career goal, investigate other ways of achieving it.

View risk taking as a learning opportunity. Start with small risks in daily activities. Then proceed to more challenging ones. Think of an important risk you’d like to take. What’s the worst thing that would happen if it turned out badly? Where could you get information and support to make the goal less risky? Break the goal into small steps. When can you take the first step?

– Live in the present. Don’t worry about what might happen. Depersonalize failure. View setbacks as learning experiences. Persist.  Have faith that you’ll achieve your goal.

– Be the best you can be. Thank the universe regularly for the positive energy you have to share with others to make the world a better place. You can only receive something positive when you give something positive.

Strengthen other Quester traits such as confidence, creativity, growth, independence and self discipline, described in Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Questers-Dare-Change-Your-Life/dp/1508408963

Author Bio
Carole Kanchier, PhD, is an internationally recognized newspaper/digital columnist, registered psychologist and author of the award-winning, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life and the forthcoming Arouse the Force Within You!  Carole Kanchier has taught at University of California, Berkeley and Santa Cruz and University of Alberta, and served as visiting fellow at Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, and other institutions of higher learning. Dr. Kanchier is known for her pioneering, interdisciplinary approach to human potential. www.questersdaretochange.com