Did you know that adaptability is one of the top soft skills that employers value?

It makes sense when you think about how the world is forever changing and throwing curveballs, and the only way to thrive is adapt. 

As Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”

Are you wondering if you have what it takes to roll with the punches life throws at you? The answer lies in the small habits you do.

Here are 9 small actions that reveal your high adaptability:

1) Embracing change

As the saying goes, the only constant in life is change.

And those who are highly adaptable don’t just accept it. They embrace it.

Whether it’s a new job, a sudden move or even a shift in their personal life, adaptable folks take these events in stride. Instead of resisting, they view these changes as opportunities for growth and learning.

They understand that change is inevitable, and thus, they don’t waste energy fighting it. Instead, they channel their energy into finding the best ways to navigate their new circumstances.

The next time a big change looms on your horizon, pay attention to your reaction. A feeling of excitement means you’re highly adaptable. 

2) Thriving in unfamiliar environments

Here’s a harsh truth: you’ll only really know if you’re adaptable if you check how you fare outside your comfort zone.

For me, this was really put to the test when I moved to a new city for work.

I didn’t know anyone there, nor did I have any familiarity with the city’s layout. Everything felt foreign and I felt like a fish out of water.

But instead of letting the unfamiliarity overwhelm me, I treated it as an exciting adventure. I took on the challenge of learning my way around, discovering local hotspots, and making new friends.

In no time, I found myself thriving in this new environment. It was an experience that showed me just how flexible I can be when faced with a situation that’s completely out of my comfort zone.

So if you also find yourself adapting quickly to new surroundings and situations, that’s a telltale sign right there. 

3) Quick to learn new skills

As I mentioned earlier, the world is constantly evolving. Today’s work culture and technology looks vastly different from the decade before it. Heck, there are so many innovations today that we didn’t even know just a few years ago! 

In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, around half of all work tasks will be handled by machines. 

Unfortunately, that also means the pressure is on us to evolve and grow new skills along with it. It has become a necessity in the modern world.

That’s where highly adaptable people have an advantage over the rest. They have a knack for picking up new skills quickly. They don’t see learning as a chore but rather an opportunity to grow and evolve.

4) Staying calm under pressure

Life has a way of throwing us into high-pressure situations when we least expect it.

How we handle these situations can be a telltale sign of our adaptability. Highly adaptable people tend to remain calm and composed even when the pressure is on.

A few years ago, I was set to give a presentation at a conference. I had my slides ready, my speech rehearsed, and I was all set to go.

But then, just as the conference was about to start, the projector broke down. There was no way to fix it and I had no choice but to give my presentation without the slides I had prepared.

Most people would have panicked in this situation. But not me. Instead of resisting the situation, I adapted to it. I quickly restructured my presentation in my mind, focusing on explaining my points verbally instead of relying on visuals.

That’s how highly adaptable deal with unpleasant surprises. Instead of panicking or getting flustered, they see these situations as challenges to overcome. They take a step back, analyze the situation, and devise a plan to move forward.

5) Open to different perspectives

Open-mindedness is another key trait of highly adaptable individuals. They understand that there’s more than one way to see the world, and more than one way to solve a problem.

Instead of stubbornly sticking to their own point of view, they welcome different perspectives. They listen to others, consider their viewpoints, and are not afraid to change their minds if someone presents a better idea.

This openness to different perspectives allows them to navigate through life more fluidly, adapt to new situations, and find innovative solutions to problems. It’s another small action that reveals high adaptability.

6) Showing resilience in the face of adversity

Do you bounce back easily when you get knocked down? Do you brush off your mistakes and failures, take the lessons from them, and move on? 

That’s resilience — a clear hallmark of adaptability. 

Those who are highly adaptable don’t let failures or setbacks crush them. Instead, they take them as lessons, learn from them, and use them as stepping stones towards their goals.

So if you’ve been through tough times and came out stronger on the other side, it’s not just a testament to your strength but also a clear indication of your high adaptability.

7) Thriving amidst ambiguity

In my early days as a writer, I faced a great deal of uncertainty. I didn’t know if I would be able to make a sustainable career out of it, or if my work would ever be recognized.

What kept me going was my ability to thrive amidst this ambiguity. Rather than be paralyzed by the uncertainty, I used it as fuel to push myself harder. I learned to adapt, explore different writing styles, and constantly improve my craft.

And even now that I’ve been a writer for many years, I still have to deal with ambiguity on the daily.

Clients could give vague guidelines, communication could break down, there are new software programs to navigate…any number of things could happen that could leave a less adaptable person floundering in the dark.

My point is, if you have the confidence to venture through the unknown, learn as you go, and turn uncertainty into opportunity, then you have what it takes to adapt and thrive.

That said, high adaptability doesn’t just involve reacting quickly. It’s also about…

8) Being proactive

Highly adaptable individuals have a bit of a Boy/Girl Scout mentality — always be prepared. Always anticipate changes.

They’re always thinking ahead, preparing for different scenarios, and crafting contingency plans. They’re not afraid to take the initiative and make necessary changes before they are forced to.

That’s why they can stay one step ahead of the game and deal more readily with whatever comes their way. It’s another small action that reveals a high level of adaptability.

9) Embodying a growth mindset

At the heart of all these actions lies a growth mindset.

You see, adaptable people view life as a journey of constant learning and evolution. They understand that they’re not bound by their current abilities or knowledge.

Instead, they believe that with effort, persistence, and a positive attitude, they can always learn, grow, and improve.

One of my role models, my elderly next-door neighbor, is the perfect example of this. She has always had a love for learning, so even now that she’s in her 80s, she’s still growing and thriving. 

In fact, she’s on social media, tweeting and posting along with the best! So, she doesn’t have time to feel lonely or isolated like many of her peers. How could she when she’s so busy learning something new each day? 

Clearly, without a growth mindset, it will be hard to sway and bend along with the changes that come your way. Which means, life will feel harder than it should be.

But if you operate with a growth mindset, you’re fine. You’re perfectly capable of adapting to any situation. 

Final thoughts

As you can see, adaptability is a trait we must have if we want to overcome our challenges. 

The good news is, it doesn’t even involve a huge undertaking. Just make small, healthy choices every day that nudge you out of your comfort zone bit by bit.

The key is to be prepared, but also to get comfortable with discomfort. With the unfamiliar. With not knowing everything.

When you learn to be okay with that, it becomes much easier to wing it and be more flexible.