Adaptability: How To Survive Change You Didn't Ask For

by M.J. Ryan

Whether they are trying to stay relevant at age 60 in a large corporation, coping with a big new job with unfamiliar rules and methods, facing a scary reality that their industry is in danger of becoming extinct, struggling to get donations for their nonprofit in a troubled economy, or, as a result of our current economic crisis, suddenly unemployed and looking for a job, people of all ages and walks of life are scrambling to deal with the vast changes that are happening in every industry, every profession, every part of the world.

We're expected to not only keep up, but find new and creative solutions. We find ourselves in uncharted territory with no road map to follow. Knowing that you need to change, or even wanting to change isn't enough. Without rewiring your thinking at the root and knowing what actions to take, all you get from that is wish and want and, usually - stuckness. We need a revolution in the way we think in order to survive in the future. Rather than simply exhorting people to change, I provide a roadmap for how to actually develop the capacity to change.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Personal Development

Audio CD

First published July 7, 2009

About the author

MJ Ryan is one of the creators of the New York Times bestselling Random Acts of Kindness series and the author of The Happiness Makeover (nominated for the 2005 Books for Better Living award in the Motivational category), Attitudes of Gratitude, The Power of Patience, Trusting Yourself, The Giving Heart, and 365 Health and Happiness Boosters, among other titles. Altogether, there are 1.75 million copies of her titles in print.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I'm often skeptical about self-help books, I found the advice in this book to be very pragmatic and helpful. I also like that it's not a rose-colored glasses take on life. Plus, a lot of what she says is in line with what I've been into lately as a career counselor. "Branding" for job seekers is a concept whose time has come, and she does a good job with it.

I listened to this book on audio, which I checked out of my local library. I think it was read by the author, who has a very engaging reading voice. I then ordered it from Barnes and Noble so I could follow it more closely and return to it in the future. Surprisingly, B&N isn't selling it new, and it's not available on Nook, even though it was written fairly recently.

I checked it out despite the fact that I'm not going through major changes in my life right now. I think people will find it beneficial either to help cope with life changes or just as a general self-management resource.

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that this book starts with the quote from Charles Darwin about how it is not the strongest or smartest species that survives but the species that adapt. Many changes will occur in life and some of these changes are the ones that we did not expect or wanted. However, in every situation, we must adapt and change ourselves. We must be flexible and not be rigid with our beliefs and thoughts. It helps us to grow and develop as an individual. We become wiser and empathetic than we did before. Life may seem easier, when you can adapt and be flexible.

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest this book changed my life in the best way. I recommend all to read this. I think each and every person can benefit from reading this book. The world is fast paced, and the only thing that stays the same is every thing changes. This helped me adapt to unwanted change and deal with it in a positive manner. Great read!

[Brian Cluster · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for people going through life changes. The book was written in 2009, 11 years ago at the time of this review. I am giving it four stars since it is a little outdated. I would suggest that MJ Ryan consider revising this book with lessons from Covid and the recession that may soon start in many areas of the world.

Overall, I would recommend this book.

[Rebekah Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of wonderful and practical advice. I would recommend it to anyone who feels low and hope and stuck in limbo.

[Marwa]

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فصل
يسر، حسن ، جمال، لأزيدنكم
حق
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عبد الحي
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💛🎩
♥️حب الصمد
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♥️حب الصمد 💛
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💟
🤍💜💚(🤎💛)🌼🤲

استجابة
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🤍💜💚(🤎💛)🌼🤲♥️
عبد الله الصمد
🤲
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فين
قبل

إذ 🤲
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أمن
💜 🤲🤲💛
تاني
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روح له
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لهو
قبل بعد جنتك
موجود🌼
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عايز هات
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عبد الله الصمد
أقم ع يد
عبد الحي
عبد الملك القدوس
وقع
أحتسب الحي الذي لا يموت

💚🤎💜💛
الحي


فين
قبل إذ
فين
أنت
فصل
ربط تواصل 🤲
🤎💛🌼
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عبد الملك القدوس
يوسف
نور
ص
أقم ع يد
أشكر 🤲🤲💛
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أقم ع يد
روح له
خايف
تقوي
عبد الله الصمد
لا إله إلا الله سوي وجهه
السابقون
ق💜ع ربك 🤲🤲🤲رك
أقم

[Daniel Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed in this one. I picked it up because it was recommended by a list of books to read at work. However, I honestly didn't feel like this book offered much more than pre-existing common sense. The basic takeaways that I got from this book was that if life changes you need to embrace the change and move on. I mean, that's good advice, but it seems pretty obvious. I'm sure this book would benefit some, but it wasn't for me.

[Karman Chan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for a scientific-neurologically related self help book to help me get through some changes in life and this book has lots of stories...not a whole lot of science

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

ما استمتعت أو طلعت بفائدة كبيرة أثناء قرائته، فيه تكرار كثير، و كله أمثلة على كيف أشخاص تكيفوا بعد الأزمة الاقتصادية، مش الشي الي كان في بالي لما شريت الكتاب.

[Jv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice, love how there is tons of references for specific themes involving change

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pocinje dobro i obecavajuce, a onda se pretvori u relativno plitke savjete. Mis' dobri su to savjeti i stoje, prakticnog su tipa, a ja sam ocekivala da je knjiga vise konceptualna i psiholoska.

[陈 元伟 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good advise and worth a second read. There are resilient thoughts and actions that I've already applied in my life and this book brought my awareness to them.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dealing with change? Ryan provides a solid voice to coach people forward, beginning with examining the way one thinks about the situation. She directs a great deal of her attention to woman's perspectives and draws relevant content from the terrible divorce in her life, as well as the economic upheaval of 2008. I didn't feel that she was always speaking to me, but her ideas are well constructed, presented, and the writing is excellent. I never felt that this book got bogged down - the pace is excellent. If you are professionally interested in the consequences of change, read this book.

[Ayna Al-mohsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book help me to choose what is best for me and it gives me confident to do so. When I was lost and doubt myself, it makes me realize that I am not alone and I am not wrong. It is a great self-help book that I will always going to refer too if I might get lost again one day. Thank you M.J Ryan. :)

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author is coach so a fair amount is explaining change happens and about her work experiences. Covers basics research and includes quotes.
Part 1 intro and Part 2 7 myths about change, Part 3 working with change 3 steps (below), Part 4

Steps: 1. accepting new reality, 2. expanding options, and 3. taking effective action.

[Jadine · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was given to me after I experienced a singular event. The book is good, but didn't really apply to my paticular and strange situation. I think that it would be helpful for other people who are experience changes and decision making experiences.

[Gini Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little gem of a book, some helpful suggestions and a lot of good common sense. I will probably refer back to it in the future for coaching clients. Not life-changing, but good, solid advice. Saw the author in Seattle and she is impressive, down to earth, practical, knowledgable.

[Kristie J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Encouraging book to read when going through difficult times. Lots of good suggestions for dealing with unwanted changes (e.g. getting laid off, going through divorce, having to downsize your house, etc.).

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read over and over, whether the changes you are experiencing are asked for or not. Small essays for each topic so you don't have to spend a lot of time to receive some encouragement or a new way of viewing the situation.

[Jeff Vankooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched book on change and our relationship with it. The findings are presented in a very casual and understandable way.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are all more resilient than we think. There's always a gift to be found in what happens to us. Change isn't always positive, but fear is the true challenge of change.

[Wai-kit Ng · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started well, but after half way through, the book degenerated. Too bad this book didn't live to its potential.

[Alexander Belotserkovskiy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is definitely worth to read, however i did not found language as a simple to read.

[Katelynn Barnett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly repetitive. I stopped reading about 2/3 of the way in. Some interesting ideas shared but overall a big snooze-fest.

[Alberto Lopez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not care for the book. To me, it seems directed at someone with too basic of understanding. It was too soft in content.

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy this