Snails are some of the most ancient creatures on Earth. Their ancestors date back to the Cambrian period, more than 500 million years ago. They are dazzlingly diverse and abundant,with more than 60,000 species making up 80 percent of the mollusk phylum!How have snails succeeded so spectacularly? For one thing, they are flexible. Snails have adapted to nearly every habitat—from deep hypothermal vents to shallow tide pools, deserts to rivers, ditches to mountains. They also keep their lives simple. Despite being supple, they do not overstretch. The next time you encounter a setback, take heart in the snail’s evolution. Setbacks are part of a much longer story. What do you want yours to be?