If you’re a word nerd as I am, you might already know this word: homeostasis. It means that after an event, we return to a relatively stable state of equilibrium.
Then, I read a book that offered me a new word: allostasis. That word means we use our emotional resilience to find a new state of relatively stable equilibrium, not return to the old homeostasis.
I was delighted to realize there’s a name for all of this. Yes, I totally admit to word nerdiness.
Homeostasis is easy for irritating—but not life-altering changes. When I encounter a detour while driving, I swear, assuming I’m alone in the car. That’s my reaction to the Foreign Element. I follow the signs and hope that they’re correct. And when I return to the road I expected, I’m back in homeostasis with a New Status Quo. (That New Status Quo means I have an idea about how I will drive on the return trip.)
But life-altering changes? We need our emotional resilience to discover that allostasis. We can’t “just” adapt or adjust. Most of us need to experiment our way through to discover this new and unknown state.
Even with all my practice, that’s not easy for me to do, never mind look forward to. Since I value learning, I start by considering this uncomfortableness as a learning opportunity.
Create a Learning Frame
When I start with learning as a frame, I can create several expectations for myself as I explore this new and possibly unknown state:
- My current expertise does not matter—or matter very much. I need to be open to new ideas.
- Success is not the goal. Learning through experimentation and adaptation is the goal.
- Learning occurs as I proceed.
When I use this kind of learning frame, I create a growth mindset. Instead of thinking about failing, I can coach myself to learn from those “failures.” That’s why I prefer the phrase “Learn early” instead of “fail fast.” When I learn early, I can create a feedback loop to use the results of the experiment to inform the next bit of work or learning.
The speed of that feedback loop helps me learn faster. That feedback loop will help me find my next stable state.
However, none of us knows how long this learning will take. We cannot tell when we will achieve homeostasis or allostasis. That’s why I like to think of a journey, not an end goal.
Find Stable States As We Journey
Any kind of disruptive change requires we accept the idea that we can’t get to the end state fast. That means we need to find stable states along our journey.
Back in my athletic days, I often found times to collect my breath. In skiing, I was one of those people who would go partway down a steep hill, get to a ridge, and then catch my breath for a minute before continuing. I learned never to wait for longer than a few seconds, because I’d lose my nerve. Waiting for too long got me back in homeostasis. But breathing, finding a little stability and then continuing? That allowed me to move into allostasis. I found new capabilities and created a new future.
The biggest thing I’ve learned in my change journey is that there are many times we can’t go back.
Going Back is Rarely a Great Option
When I realize I’m headed into a new and unknown state, I take a breath. I often wish I could go back. Then I start into the unknown, with that first small step.
When we experience disruptive change, we rarely have the option to return, to going back to what we had before. That’s why we wonder why we don’t achieve homeostasis.
Instead, we can take advantage of this new way of being, learning as we proceed to allostasis. If we use our resilience and the growth mindset, we can learn to look forward to a new and unknown state. Sure, it’s a challenge. It’s life.
Announcements…
I published the first iteration of the Project Lifecycles book. That book will help people stop with fake agility and support them as they want to use more agility.
And, I have a new self-study class (with optional coaching from me): Write a Conference Proposal the Conference Wants and Accepts.
Read More of Create an Adaptable Life
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Here are other links you might find useful:
- Create an Adaptable Life Blog to see the blog, not just the newsletter.
- My Books
- My Workshops
- Managing Product Development Blog
- Johanna’s Fiction
Till next time,
Johanna
© 2023 Johanna Rothman