If you’re like most of us, you try to get through the day with as few hassles as possible. But because you work and interact with people, challenging events will still occasionally happen. However, most hassles can be avoided by being flexible.
Flexibility also gives you more choices in how you respond. This means that your mood, relationships, and work are all affected by your capacity for flexibility.
Here are some more reasons why being flexible can make you happier:
- You show that can go with the flow. Particularly in the work force, demonstrating flexibility is a wonderful thing. Being one less worker your manager has to worry about will make a lasting impact on your boss’ life. Demonstrating that you’ll go with the program regardless of its fluctuations helps you be calmer and more relaxed, too.
- Your reputation is enhanced. When you show flexibility at the office, you’ll be known by your co-workers as the guy everybody wants to work with. One of the greatest assets we have as humans is our ability to adapt. Few things will build you a positive reputation better than showing you have the ability to change when a situation requires it.
- Save yourself time and energy. While other people are up in arms over last-minute schedule changes, you’re evaluating how you’ll adjust your calendar to accommodate the alterations. You’ll spend no time complaining about the reasons for the change. Instead, you’ll simply make the schedule adjustments and get on with your life.
- You can shift gears with no hassle. When you’re flexible, you can smoothly leave one task and move ahead to the next challenge. Maybe you were doing some catch-up filing but now your boss wants you to work on a report. No big deal. You simply leave the filing and get settled in to write the document. You can come back to the filing later.
- Your mood is more even throughout the day. If you’re not getting freaked out by all the interruptions, changes, and unexpected challenges that your day brings, you’ll have a smoother, more positive mood. After all, there’s nothing to get flustered about if you’re flexible. You hold no grudges and spend no time feeling frustrated or upset over changes.
- You come across as much more agreeable. A person who’s flexible recognizes that when you’re dealing with other people, there’ll be times when things and situations change. Naturally, you can adjust to any change that comes along. The people you interact with will appreciate this immensely.
- With flexibility, you’ll expect change. When you try to anticipate what might come your way, you’re much more prepared for a shift in situations. Make a habit of asking yourself, “What changes could happen today?” You’ll be less frustrated with new situations when they crop up.
- Decrease your perfectionism. You’ve probably worked with a perfectionist who wanted things to be just so. They would flip out if there was the slightest change in an itinerary. When you’re flexible, you avoid getting hung up on trying to be perfect and are more willing to accept things as they come.
By more easily adjusting to new situations, you decrease the likelihood that you’ll have to deal with a hassle on any given day.
Others will appreciate your adaptability, too. So start today, and go after that hassle-free, happy life you deserve by striving to be as flexible as possible.