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ADAPTATION REQUIRED: Tina's husband divorced her. He took most of
couple's assets and left her with all
debts, so she was forced to file bankruptcy. Because of
social set they moved in, she lost many friends. At
same time her last child left for college, she got downsized, her mother died, and she developed breast cancer.
ADJUSTING: You know you can do it. You just may not want to.
ADAPTING: You have a sense you don't have what it takes to cope with it.
Key Point
Understanding
changes that adaptation will require helps you through
transition, which is often more like a metamorphosis. It can feel like having to grow wings! When you face a situation requiring ADJUSTING, you think, "Things have changed." When you face a situation requiring ADAPTING, you think, "I will never be
same again."
Benefits
Much more of you is required in an adaptation. Major life changes will require you to leave major things behind, and learn new ways, sometimes new ways of "being". It can be as challenging as learning to breathe air instead of water. An adaptation requires strong emotional intelligence skills, which can be learned.
Related distinctions
Your new in-laws speak with a heavy Southern drawl vs. Your new in-laws speak only Russian
You have a new baby boy vs. your wife gives birth to quintuplets You break your ankle in a car accident vs. You lose both your legs in a car accident

©Susan Dunn, MA, Emotional Intelligence Coach & Consultant, and author of “Midlife Dating Manual for Women,” http://www.susandunn.cc . Coaching individuals through transitions. I offer coaching, internet courses, teleclasses and ebooks around emotional intelligence. It train and certify EQ coaches. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for info on this fast, affordable, comprehensive, no-residency program. For free EQ ezine, email me and put “ezine” for subject line.