How to Keep Moving Forward in the World
By Ahsan
"According to [Charles] Darwin's Origin of Species, it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives;
it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself."
Leon C. Megginson, a business management professor at Louisiana State University
I know many people who have lost their jobs or are on the verge of doing so. Many of my friends are getting older and losing family members to age and illness. The rapid development of new AI tools and related services makes it impossible to keep up. On top of all that, the weather keeps turning up the heat to the point where forest fires are happening everywhere like never before. How is a person supposed to manage such a dynamic world? What does it mean to be agile, resourceful, and resilient in such times, and how do we become these things?
First, we realize that we MUST become adaptable and creative in the face of challenges and chaos. The world is not going to wait for us to catch up or go on ‘pause’ until we figure things out. Accepting that things are not ideal, and never were at any point in history, is key. Something is always going on somewhere, whether it’s wars, natural disasters, economic hardship, or personal suffering due to health issues. The key is how quickly a person learns from what they observe and pivots to make changes. Getting enough key information and perspective, then taking action, is the key to becoming an AGILE person in these times, so don’t wait or watch the world unfold passively.
Next, look around you for possible solutions to problems. It may be small, even simple, ideas that lead to breakthroughs. Other times, it will be big, hairy ideas and complicated technology required to solve, but the solutions are out there, so work with other people who are RESOURCEFUL in making the most of the current situation rather than just complaining about it. Go outside your field of study and look at how nature solves certain problems. It’s not just an issue of throwing more money, time, or effort at the problem. It requires creative thinking and possibly removing obstacles to a solution.
Third, you have to accept that you will stumble, fall, bruise a few knees, and twist a few ankles in the process of walking forward towards solutions. Maybe you are going too far, too fast at times? Maybe you are trying to change too many things all at once, or perhaps you are missing the big picture. As long as you keep reviewing the reasons for your mini failures along the way and adjusting your course, you can keep moving forward. There’s no reason to stay down once you fall down. That is the core idea of RESILIENCE. Make it a habit to practice getting back on track and resetting yourself more quickly each time, so you don’t get stuck in a malaise of thoughts about your failures on your journey. Keep moving forward inch by Inch and day by day. You got this!
The reality is that the world has never stayed stable, wealthy, comfortable, or quiet for any generation. There are moments of peace and happiness as well as what seems like an abundance of resources. Then suddenly, things change due to the climate, the political environment, a person’s lifestyle habits, or some unexpected series of events far away that you have no control over. The people who figure out how to become and stay AGILE, become RESOURCEFUL, and practice daily RESILIENCE are the ones who not only survive the changes, but thrive. They get to be at the top of the wave and benefit from opportunities that others can miss. When you ask yourself “What can I do to make the most of this change?” you figure out a way forward, and that is the most empowering thing a person can experience.
Have An Awesome Day Every Day!
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