How to Adapt to Change: 3 Challenge Exercises to Help You Grow

If there’s one thing that’s certain about 2020 it’s that we’re all learning to adapt to change!

But change, difficulties, and trials aren’t unique to 2020. Adversity is simply a part of life.

In the Family Entertainment Industry, we’re forced to adapt to change daily. New competitors pop up across the street, customers challenge us in new ways, and financial difficulty rears its head. Whatever the scenario, we’ll find ourselves challenged to change and forced to grow, whether we’re ready or not.

The good news is that there are ways to make adapting to change more comfortable. Jason Barnaby of Firestarters Inc. calls this being “comfortable being uncomfortable.”

 3 Challenge Exercises to Help Adapt to Change

Just like a change in the weather, adversity can strike in an instant. That’s why we must become comfortable with change, especially uncomfortable change. When we become comfortable with change, we become flexible and adaptable. This, in turn, makes us stronger and more resilient so when we’re faced with difficulty, we’re able to overcome it quickly.

Making small changes in your life will help you take steps towards being comfortable with being, well, uncomfortable!

Below are a few exercises that will not only help you live a more peaceful, positive life but will also challenge you to change:

The Nature Challenge

How do you feel about the outdoors? Well, this exercise is all about challenging you to do something outdoors that you’ve never done. It could be running in a local park, hiking down a new trail, or gardening. The goal is to do something outside that pushes you beyond what you usually do!

Why? Well, nature is a proven natural healer (ha). Everything on this earth is made from ions. What’s interesting is that humans are positively charged, while the earth is negatively charged. This means that when you (well, your bare feet!) and the earth (you know, the grass and dirt!) come together, the ions meet a neutral place. Recent studies show that “negative ions are believed to produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.”

So, if you want bonus points with this challenge, do it barefoot! There is a great practice called Grounding (or Earthing), and that’s a great place to start. For this activity, you’ll simply go stand in the grass barefoot for 30 minutes each day. 

If this sounds weird or uncomfortable to you, GOOD! This sounds like the perfect exercise to help you practice pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

For more on the benefits of Earthing, check out this Abstract on NCBI.

The Relationship Challenge

How are your relationships? Good? Bad? Great?

This exercise is all about growing in your relationships with those around you. These relationships might be with your spouse, your parents, your kids, your friends, your colleagues, or someone else. What’s important here is that you choose a relationship in your life that you know could use a little TLC. 

And no, this isn’t about finding the fault in others. This challenge is all about finding ways you can improve your relationships with others. 

So here’s the challenge: start with the individuals who you feel are closest to you. Your parents, spouse, partner, or children. Ask them: “what’s one thing that I do or say that you wish I didn’t do or say, or one area where I can improve?” 

Next, listen. Don’t say anything while they’re talking—just listen. Absorb what’s being said. Imagine what that relationship would look like if you changed that behavior. Ask the other person how it might transform your relationship with them if you stopped doing that thing or improved in the area they mentioned. Again, just listen!

Now comes the hard part: take action on the coaching you just received! 

Your Challenge to Change

This last exercise is an open challenge: it’s your opportunity to choose an area in your life where you would like to grow or improve. 

Do you need to drink more water? Eat more fruits and vegetables? Call your parents more. Provide better training for your staff. Spend more time in your business? Enjoy your business more?

The goal is to choose an area in your life and challenge yourself to improve it. 

Continue Growing and Learning How to Adapt to Change 

These exercises are certainly a great place to start, but don’t stop there! I urge you to continue to grow and learn how to adapt to change in new ways. Doing so will help you pivot quickly when difficulties arise!

If you’re looking for ideas on how to pivot your business, I invite you to download a complimentary copy of our guide, HAMMER AWAY: 3 Tools for Constructing a Business Pivot Plan. Click for more​ or on the image below to download.