There are two types of tennis that can be played. Reactive and Proactive. Reactive is where the ball is coming towards you in an attacking way, all we can hope to do is get it over the net and inside the court. We are flustered, desperate and hoping for the best. There is no plan, prediction or control. We are just reacting to the opponents moves. Proactive tennis is where we are hitting the ‘winners’ – fast-paced, down the line or cross court, just touching within the base-line or a volley that stuns leaving them no-where near the ball.

I would argue that simply reacting is now not enough in today’s world. Copying or following in line with others, just making do with the situation or doing the bare minimal change is not an option. We need to be proactive. Identify trends, re-assess, change and move forwards. We need to hit that ball fast down the line – with precision, confidence and willingness. Not stand there and react – rushed, scared and helpless.

The seasons are always changing but we are scared to move in this new direction. Unwilling to commit. Fearful of whether this is where we want to head, or what the outcomes may be. Adaptation has long been around. As we evolved, we adapted to new environments. This has continued as we currently live in an era of risk and instability, with uncertainty looming around every corner. Unpredictability is added into the mix at every turn.

This acceptance is key in appreciating the importance of adaptability. It is not about using a crystal ball to make predictions about the future. Instead, it is about actively engaging in the world and noticing the changes going on around us. Then, we have to be brave enough to make a bold choice or decision.

An adaptable life is one in which we thrive when we just go with the flow, change even becomes comforting and we try new things even when there is a risk of doing so.