Lessons learned from an absurd Christmas tree

The path from A to B is rarely a straight line. Along the way, you’re likely to encounter any number of setbacks that threaten to upend even the best-laid plans. But the more you’re prepared to roll with the punches, the easier it will be to manage life’s many twists and turns.

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How powerful is adaptability? Very, according to a U.K. study published in 2024. The research involved giving more than 500 employees training informed by “acceptance and commitment therapy” — a type of psychotherapy that aims to help individuals develop psychological flexibility while staying true to their values.

The results were significant, with participants showing improved resilience to stress, less burnout and a greater sense of personal achievement. Notably, the benefits were more pronounced among employees experiencing higher levels of exhaustion, pointing to the power of flexibility in stressful environments.

Reflection questions

1. What does being adaptable mean to you personally, and why do you think it matters in today’s world?
   
2. Can you think of a time when being flexible helped you navigate a tough or unexpected situation successfully?
   
3. What’s the difference between being adaptable and being passive — how do you recognize that line in your own life?
   
4. How have your views on “change” evolved over time? Were you always adaptable, or is it something you’ve had to learn?
   
5. What are some small, daily habits or mindsets that help you stay open to change and uncertainty?
   
6. Have you ever resisted a change at first but later realized it was the best thing that could have happened? What shifted for you?
   
7. When you feel stuck or rigid in your thinking, what helps you loosen up and see things differently?
   
8. How do you manage the stress or anxiety that can come with unpredictable circumstances?
   
9. In what ways has adaptability helped you in your relationships — whether at work, in your family or socially?
   
10. If someone wanted to become more adaptable, what advice or encouragement would you give them based on your own experience?

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Turn ideas into action with these suggested activities from our Resilience Toolbox.

More modules

Module 1. Making your own luck: Lessons learned from a coin flip

Module 2. Improving adaptability: Lessons learned from an absurd Christmas tree

Module 3. Embracing teamwork: Lessons learned from a rogue haybale

Module 4. Leveraging tools: Lessons learned from a poorly chosen sledgehammer

Module 5. Learning humility: Lessons learned from a very brief career as a valet

Module 6. Failing forward: Lessons learned from banshee babies and buttered butts

Module 7. Avoiding shortcuts: Lessons learned from a giant backpack

Module 8. Redefining success: Lessons learned from an idiotic bet

Module 9. Letting go: Lessons learned from a gooey pit of clay

Module 10. Taking responsibility: Lessons learned from trying to catch a train

Module 11. Getting creative: Lessons learned from the toboggan hill

Module 12. Fuelling motivation: Lessons learned from sleeping in a barn

Module 13. Handing over control: Lessons learned from riding in a shopping cart

Module 14. Practising gratitude: Lessons learned from a very special list

Module 15. Prioritizing self-care: Lessons learned from a surprise birthday celebration in the hospital

Module 16. Creating lasting change: Lessons learned from life’s awesome and absurd moments