Adaptive Advantage

In an ever-shifting environment, adaptability isn’t ‘just a trait’—it’s a real advantage. Those that embrace change, learn from challenges, and pivot when necessary are the ones that not only survive, but also thrive in uncertain environments.

I used to know everything, somewhere along my teenage years and early 20’s. By the time I hit my 30’s, I realized there was a lot I didn’t know, and by about my mid-40’s, I realized that, not only DON’T I know everything, but neither does anyone else. We think we know how things ‘are done’, and we tend to think that because someone ‘knows’ that, there’s nothing else to know.

You know, at one point, scientists were ridiculed and often destroyed, financially and socially, when they tried to tell people about bacteria, and help teach and protect them. Now, of course, we know that or bodies do contain bacteria – we’re covered with it – lots of bacteria. In fact, something like 40 trillion, most of which are found in our digestive tract. Also, in case you were wondering, there’s roughly 30% more bacteria than cells in your body.

Bacteria adapt, and can do amazing things. We could learn a thing or two from them, and about them. One thing we can remember is to go easy on antibacterial products, and only use antibiotics when absolutely necessary, using them exactly as prescribed, and for the full course. We should also stop using them in our food. But, most importantly, we can remember that we can adapt and learn to work together with our environment, and who/what we have around us, and do some pretty awesome things together!