Video | Three Ways to Measure Your Adaptability — and How to Improve It [6m 31s]
In this video, Venture Capitalist Natalie Fratto TED talk about three ways to measure and improve your adaptability. [Duration: 6m 31s]
When venture investor Natalie Fratto is determining which start-up founder to support, she doesn’t just look for intelligence or charisma; she looks for adaptability. In this insightful talk, Fratto shares three ways to measure your “adaptability quotient” — and shows why your ability to respond to change really matters.
“A scarcity mindset is when you are so obsessed with a lack of something — usually time or money — that you can’t seem to focus on anything else, no matter how hard you try.”
“Scarcity mentality isn’t something you do on purpose. It’s the background noise your brain makes when you can’t get what you want. But it’ll cost you. ‘Focusing on something you don’t have can take a toll on your mental health. You can get “tunnel vision” when all you think about is the unmet need.
“Scarcity mentality also has other impacts on your brain and can even cause it to work differently.”
“I have seen the approach to adversity play out in all walks of life and unfortunately the most common response to adversity is to try and make it go away. The reality is that when you take away adversity you also take away one of the most important ingredients to greatness.”
“When adversity is avoided or kept from us, it prevents the rich roots of character, learning, resilience, creativity and conviction to germinate.”
“Adversity plays a vital role in growth and greatness. In simple terms: no adversity, no growth. Instead of avoiding adversity, we need to hug it! It is the fuel for greatness.”
Image: Astronaut Steve Robinson turns the camera on himself during his historic repair job “underneath” Space Shuttle Discovery on August 3. The Shuttle’s heat shield, where Robinson removed a pair of protruding gap fillers, is reflected in his visor. Source: NASA, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
“Now all we need is to continue to speak the truth fearlessly, and we shall add to our number those who will turn the scale to the side of equal and full justice in all things.”
How To Live In Your Truth: The Difference Between Personal Values And Social Conditioning
“Living in your truth may sound serious and philosophical. In reality, it usually manifests through the little things in your life. How you make everyday decisions often shows whether or not you’re being true to yourself.”
“When you make such small choices, they may seem insignificant. You may think that they don’t impact your life. But even if one individual choice doesn’t change much, together, they add up.”
“But first, it’s helpful to understand why we struggle to embrace our truth so much. After all, shouldn’t it be the most natural thing in the world?”
“Just as the environment has its toxins, humanity includes people who consistently do toxic things. Recognizing and avoiding toxic people is an essential skill to learn as early in life as possible.
“Toxic people can spread unhappiness and personal suffering. They ultimately poison things with which they come in touch: other people, careers, businesses, marriages, and especially children. These people are often virtually immune to insight, remorse, or lasting positive change. I’m not talking about people with criminal personalities, but rather people who live and work with us every day.
“There are at least four basic types of toxic people: the narcissistic-aggressive person, the “frenemy,” the negative-complaining person, and the seductive, overly-dramatic person. Let’s take a closer look and see if you can recognize any of these folks in your daily life.”
“As the author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, I often hear from people about which of the 13 things they struggle with the most. The second thing on my list—mentally strong people don’t give away their power—is one of the hardest.”
“Giving away your personal power robs you of mental strength. But maintaining control in your life requires that you make a conscious choice to take back your power. Before you can create positive change, you need to recognize the ways in which you give your power away.”
Ikigai | The Purposeful Way to Rescue Your Mind from Jail
‘The Japanese invented a philosophy named “Ikigai,” which stands for ‘reason for being.’ Ikigai can help us to determine what it is that we want to wake up for in the morning.’ ~ Einzelgänger (YouTube)
‘The key to getting into the right mindset is to stack your moments of certainty. Write down three or four times you got a “yes.” It could be when you got hired, when you got a second date or when you won an award. Stack these up in your mind and remember how great you felt, and then put that in your head versus fearful thoughts. Try to see the outcome you want to happen before you even start.’
Image: Kanji for the Japanese word “chikara,” which means “capability,” “power,” and “strength.” Source: Tomas Fernando Camargo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
“You have to start from where you are today and from what can be done.”
Think Like MacGyver! Unleash Your Own Super Genius
“When you are feeling powerless and circumstances are taking control of your life, it is sometimes helpful to ask yourself this question: What Would MacGyver Do?”
“Called only by his last name and placed in the most precarious and unenviable situations, MacGyver was the absolute epitome of resourcefulness. Combined with his training and knowledge, he was somehow able to convert ordinary items into extraordinary tools to get him out of any cliffhanging situation.”
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