“Change is hard,” we say, and it is even harder when change is thrust upon us. In today’s tough times, we may be forced to reinvent our career or downsize our lives; at any point in life, we may lose a love or a dream. Our first reaction to change we didn’t ask for may be to rail against fate. But what if we could see past today’s turmoil and spot the opportunities that lie within unasked-for change? That is the promise of AdaptAbility, bestselling author and executive coach M. J. Ryan’s paradigm-shifting new book on not merely surviving but thriving when change is required. Why is it so hard to accept change? Paradoxically, it is for the very reason that our brains usually work so well; we are designed to learn something and make it automatic. The problem is that when circumstances change, our “efficient” brains keep trying to do things the same old way. In AdaptAbility, Ryan provides strategies to retrain your brain and optimize your response to change, step by step: by first accepting the new reality, then expanding your options, and finally, taking effective action. She offers cutting-edge tools for becoming calmer, less fearful, and more flexible, creative, and resourceful in your thinking. Best of all, as your “adapt-ability” increases, so does your confidence that you will be able to face whatever life sends your way and find new ways to
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"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."
— Lorna (4 out of 5 stars)
“You are always more resilient than you think. In her motivational and optimistic book, M. J. Ryan shows you how to face the unexpected and use what you’ve learned to be happier in life, in love, and at work.”
— Nell Merlino, leader of Make Mine a Million $ Business and author of Stepping Out of Line“The change you don’t ask for has a way of smacking you between the eyes. M. J. Ryan’s AdaptAbility teaches us how we can get through the pain more quickly and extract greater meaning from the nonnegotiable events of life.”
— Ellyn Spragins, author of What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self“If you’re struggling and think that one more book can’t possibly make a difference, think again. M. J. Ryan has the rare gift of breaking things down into clear pieces that can be tackled.”
— Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction" 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. "
— Jadine, 4/9/2013" Started well, but after half way through, the book degenerated. Too bad this book didn't live to its potential. "
— Wai-kit, 3/14/2013" 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. "
— Gini, 5/16/2011" A well researched book on change and our relationship with it. The findings are presented in a very casual and understandable way. "
— Jeff, 8/14/2009
M. J. Ryan is one of the creators of the Random Acts of Kindness series and the author of The Power of Patience, The Happiness Makeover, and many other titles. She founded Conari Press and is currently an executive coach and a popular speaker. She is a contributing editor at Good Housekeeping and a regular contributor to Health magazine. She lives in Walnut Creek, California.