Flexing and Stretching: The Warm-Up for Life’s Challenges
When I used to play rugby, game day always started the same way, stretching.
It wasn’t just a ritual; it was essential. Warming up my muscles ensured they were ready for the extension, collisions, and quick changes the game demanded. If I skipped that step, I risked pulling a muscle or slowing down when my team needed me most.
What I didn’t fully appreciate back then was how much that simple practice mirrored life.
Life throws curveballs. Projects get delayed, plans fall through, opportunities shift, and challenges appear out of nowhere. Sometimes the ground feels like it moves under your feet. And in those moments, flexibility, both physical and mental, is your greatest ally.
Flexibility is like that pre-game warm-up for your mind and spirit. It prepares you to:
Respond rather than react — taking a breath before jumping in.
Adapt rather than resist — shifting direction when the path ahead changes.
Recover rather than retreat — bouncing back after a setback.
Just like in rugby, where different games and weather conditions required adjustments, maybe a tighter defensive line in the rain, or quicker passing on a dry day, life asks us to adapt to what’s in front of us. The rules might be the same, but the way you play changes.
Over the years, I’ve realised that flexibility is not just a skill, it’s a resilience multiplier. The more prepared you are to stretch and adjust, the stronger you become when things get tough. It doesn’t mean you abandon your goals; it means you’re willing to adjust your plan to fit the conditions, people, and opportunities in front of you.
This mindset has helped me in business, relationships, and personal growth. When you’re flexible, you’re not caught off guard, you’re ready to move with life, not against it.
3 Ways to Build Flexibility in Your Life:
Prepare for Change – Just like a warm-up, plan ahead for potential challenges. Have alternative routes to your goal so you’re not stuck when things shift.
Stay Present – Being in the moment helps you adapt to what’s actually happening, rather than clinging to what you wish was happening.
Reflect and Adjust – After challenges, review what worked, what didn’t, and how you can adapt for next time.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” — Charles Darwin
For some flexing and adapting is easier than others. Either way it needs to be worked on intentionally. Think about how you adapt to change.
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Written By: Paul Fawcett.
