Adaptability - Do what you can, with what you have, where you are
Summary
- Don't wait for the perfect tool. Use what you have on hand to accomplish the job at hand.
Details
- Don't have a fixed mindset where things can only be used for one purpose.
- Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are
- Adaptability is more important than strenght
- Even if something worked in the past, it is no guarantee that it will continue to work so be ready to abandon it.
References
Quotes
It also teaches us that as individuals we must not underestimate the options we have at our disposal. Too often we get stuck in “functional fixedness,” a mindset where we see in things only their intended use, rather than their potential use. A fork doesn’t have to be just a tool to put food in your mouth. It could also be a hook, tack, or hair detangler. It may be combined with other household objects to fulfill even more purposes. As the saying goes: do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are. In fact, one of the tests used to measure creativity by psychologists is to ask people to come up with as many uses as possible for an everyday object like a brick. The more exaptations someone can envision, the more creative they’re considered.
Complacency will kill you. The stronger we are relative to others, the less willing we generally are to change. We see strength as an immediate advantage that we don’t want to compromise. However, it’s not strength that survives, but adaptability. Strength becomes rigidity. Eventually your competitors will match your strength or find innovative ways to neutralize it. Real success comes from being flexible enough to change, to let go of what worked in the past, and to focus on what you need to thrive in the future.