How to Pivot When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

Life rarely goes exactly the way we expect. A meeting gets rescheduled, the computer crashes, traffic causes delays, or someone else’s priorities suddenly become urgent. That’s where flexible thinking—a core executive function skill—comes in.

Think of a time when life threw you a curveball and you reacted in a way that made you stop and think, I wish I could have handled that better. Did it throw you off your game for a short or extended time? Did it affect you in situations outside of the scenario?

We’ve all been there. Some of us bounce back quickly and move on. Others replay the scenario over and over attempting to find a better solution. Yet others see no issue with the outcome and move on, likely having the same event occur in the future with little or no change in the way it’s handled. In any case, each time these events occur, we’re calling on our executive function skills to guide us through. If our skills are stronger, we learn from the situation and hopefully handle it better when something similar occurs. If the skills are weak, we have potential to struggle with similar scenarios over and over.

Flexible thinking is the ability to adjust when circumstances change. Instead of freezing up or becoming overwhelmed, flexible thinkers can shift perspectives, problem-solve, and adapt without losing momentum or losing track of what they were doing.

Without flexible thinking, small changes can feel like huge obstacles. Someone might get stuck on their original plan and struggle to move forward when it no longer works. This can lead to frustration, stress, and even conflict with others.

In speech therapy, building flexible thinking often starts with small exercises. For example:

• Perspective-taking activities: practicing how different people might view the same situation.
• Problem-solving scenarios: brainstorming multiple solutions instead of one “right” answer.
• Real-life adjustments: practicing coping strategies when plans shift unexpectedly.

Flexible thinking also plays a huge role in communication. Conversations require us to listen, process, and respond in real time. If we’re rigid in our thoughts or expectations, we miss opportunities to truly connect and collaborate.

Developing flexible thinking doesn’t mean letting go of structure or goals. It means being able to bend without breaking—to roll with life’s curveballs and keep moving forward.

The benefit? Less stress, greater resilience, and the ability to thrive in a world that’s always changing.