WHY MENTAL FLEXIBILITY LEADS TO SUCCESS – AND HOW TO DEVELOP THE SKILL

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Flexibility is a highly valuable asset for employees in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing work environment. It’s a skill that enables you to adapt to new situations, think creatively, and embrace change; all of which are critical to your success. Here are some reasons why mental flexibility is so vital, how it can benefit both you and your employer, and how you can begin developing the skill.

 

It Helps You Adapt to Change

Businesses need to be able to adapt quickly to stay competitive, so the ability to adapt to change is a must-have skill that will make you stand out as an employee. In any job, there will be times when circumstances shift unexpectedly, and being able to adjust your approach and priorities can help you stay on track, and even excel. While a more rigid person might spend valuable time or resources trying to adjust to change, as a flexible employee you are able to pivot quickly and respond to new situations in a way that helps you maintain your productivity and efficiency.

 

It Makes You a More Valuable Employee

Employers value those who are able to adapt to new situations and handle unexpected challenges with ease. It can slow down progress and negatively impact outcomes when employees struggle to adjust their mindset or approach. When you’re able to be flexible, you’re better equipped to contribute to the success of the team and the organization as a whole.

 

It Allows You to Collaborate More Effectively

The ability to adjust your approach and priorities to align with those of your team members makes you more likely to have stronger working relationships and more effective teamwork overall. Being open to new ideas from others and different ways of working makes you someone who is easier to work with and more receptive to feedback from colleagues. This helps foster a positive and productive work environment and leads to more creative and innovative solutions because you were able to work together as a team.

 

It Enhances Your Problem-Solving Skills

Flexibility and problem-solving go hand-in-hand: When you’re able to approach problems with an open mind and adjust your approach as needed, you’re more likely to think creatively and develop innovative solutions. Being open to new perspectives and ideas helps you see opportunities and possibilities that others may overlook. This can help you stand out as a problem-solver and will enhance your value as an employee.

 

It Helps You Manage Stress

The truth is you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by unexpected challenges when you’re able to adjust your plan and priorities in response to changing circumstances. When you can remain flexible, you are more likely to feel in control of your workload and balanced in your work and personal life, which leads to greater job satisfaction and overall happiness.

 

So now you might be asking yourself, “How do I develop flexibility?” Here are some tips to help you become more flexible at work:

 

Develop a Growth Mindset

Developing a growth mindset means embracing the idea that you can learn and improve over time. Rather than seeing challenges as insurmountable obstacles, try viewing them as opportunities to learn and grow. Adopting a growth mindset can help you approach new situations with more openness and resilience – and all it takes is practicing this simple shift in perception.

 

Stay Open to Feedback

Meaningful career growth requires self-awareness and self-improvement, and feedback about your performance is often the fastest way to get the information you might not be able to gather on your own. If you’re not receptive to feedback you might miss out on valuable insights that could help you in your career advancement. Open yourself up to the idea that “I have more to learn about myself” in order to not feel hurt or criticized, but instead to assimilate the new information and use it to grow. When you can actively seek out feedback from your colleagues and supervisors (and stay open to their suggestions for improvement) you’ll stay flexible and adaptable as you develop in your role.

 

Embrace Change

Change is a natural part of any job, and being flexible means being able to adapt to these changes. Rather than resisting change, try to embrace it as an opportunity. Keep an open mind, even when change looks like it’s going to be negative or difficult, and you’ll see that new opportunities will be revealed. A willingness to take on new projects or responsibilities, even if they’re outside of your comfort zone, will push you to develop new skills and help you broaden your knowledge base.

 

Practice Time Management

It might seem counter-intuitive, but proper planning and effective time management will allow for more flexibility in your day. When you’re able to manage your time well, it will be easier to handle unexpected challenges and shifting priorities. Prioritizing your tasks and managing your workload effectively will allow you to be flexible and responsive to any changing circumstances.

 

Learn to Compromise

Compromise is another key component of flexibility and, in any workplace, there will be times when you’ll need to make compromises in order to work with others. When you are willing to listen to different perspectives and find common ground, everyone will feel heard and be willing to move forward.

 

Stay Positive

Finally, maintaining a positive attitude can help you stay flexible, motivated, and focused in your job – even when you’re facing challenges or setbacks. Try to focus on the many opportunities that arise when you are flexible in different situations and you will see a pattern of growth that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Just being willing to be flexible in work situations is often all that is needed to help you grow and improve in your role.

 

As you can see, by being adaptable, open to new experiences, and willing to embrace change, you can set yourself up for success in your career. Employers also benefit from having flexible employees, who can help their organizations to stay competitive and innovative in an ever-changing business landscape. DW Simpson can guide you through the changes in your Actuarial career. Meet your dedicated Recruiter today at DWSimpson.com

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