The incredible success of the human species is the result of many factors. We have been very good at hunting and gathering. Our ability to move to new, more productive land has been critical. Language development, our use of fire, and our ability to make and use tools have all been essential to our success. Our skillset has not only helped us to survive, but has allowed us to thrive.
To isolate one factor, and note it as the most important, would be unprovable, silly, and unnecessary. That being said, one ability that has been absolutely critical for our amazing success is our ability to adapt. Adapting is one thing humans do better than any other species.
The most compelling proof is the widespread coverage of the human population. We live in the coldest of climates… and the hottest. We live in the wettest… and the driest areas. We live in forests, jungles, mountains, on beaches, and in crowded cities. Not only is that a testament to our ability to adapt, but the fact that we can move from the hottest climate to the coldest, and still do extremely well, is proof of our dynamic adaptability.
When weather gets cold, we put on a jacket or go into heated buildings. If it gets hot, we remove layers, put on shorts, or get into cooler homes. And not only are we good at adapting via behaviors, the human body itself is incredibly adept at changing and adapting to keep us growing, healing, and alive. Before we put on a jacket in dropping temperatures, the pores in our skin close down (to retain heat), our heart rate goes up (to pump more blood to our extremities), and if cold enough, our muscles start to rapidly contract (shivering) to produce more internal heat.
Our ability to adapt may not be the single most important factor for the success of our species (although I’d argue it might be), but it has been essential. And without such adaptability, we would have gone extinct long, long ago.
If you put your muscles under tension by lifting and pulling, they adapt. They get bigger to handle the required work. If you use your hands physically and often, the body lays down thicker, stronger skin (a callous) to prevent pain and allow for more work to get done. Even if you overeat, your body will store the extra calories as fat, knowing that you might need those calories down the road in leaner times. (These days, we don’t have leaner times, so that fat never gets utilized, but that’s a whole separate blog.) These are all examples of your body’s ability to adapt.
Even looking back at the economic downturn back in 2008, it was adaptability that determined who failed and who prevailed. Those best at adapting fared the best. They may have taken on another position, changed careers, or modified their procedures to remain relevant, needed, and profitable. Some sat in disbelief and despair, while others planned, pivoted, and restructured.
No matter how you slice it, adaptability is a major key to success. It always has been, and always will be. The most adaptable species on earth have the greatest likelihood of flourishing, no matter what comes their way. And the least adaptable will suffer and ultimately perish.
Anticipation, preparation, foresight, hard work, and determination will help ensure success in any area of life, but it’s your ability to adapt that matters most. The anticipation of changes at work can prompt you to adapt by fine tuning your skills or learning new tasks. While preparing for any endeavor, you can plan for adapting to the environment that most suits the needs of that endeavor. Foresight is what can trigger the needed adaptation and help you adapt in a way that is meaningful and impactful. Putting in the hard work, but not getting the results you need or expect, requires further adaptation efforts for better outcomes. And determination can fuel you for a faster rate of adaptation.
It’s been said… adapt or die. That is true. But most people don’t die a quick death from failing to adapt. They end up living tougher, less productive, and unhappier lives. So, think about your ability to adapt. At the rate the world around you is changing, your ability to adapt could be the difference between merely surviving or massively thriving.
