Adapt or perish is a phrase commonly attributed to HG Wells.

The phrase ‘Adapt or die’, expanded its meaning in Spring 2020. We are all forced to adapt to the crisis that is COVID-19. There are lessons to be learned.

Our brain is significantly adaptable. We benefit when we build practices that support its capacity to learn and adapt to change.

We learn and grow when we are willing to explore our patterns, habits and behaviours. They often open up significant insights.  We have a choice. A choice to be willing to move those insights into action that creates the change we desire.

“All failure is failure to adapt, all success is successful adaptation.”    – Max McKeown

The 2020 theme of identity continues with this week’s focused exploration. Often identity is used as a reason to not adapt. However, and identity that embeds the capacity to adapt is the healthiest.

In the Kickass Koach podcast episode dropped July 12th, I make the point that adaptability is not the same as refusing to commit or stick to something. Furthermore, I point out the importance of recognizing that learning and adapting in order to complete a goal productively is a core point.

In the newsletter, I introduce a three step approach to adapting when a new solution is warranted. A simple example from my COVID-19 experience is used to illustrate the model that I will dig into differently below

Finally, in this post I take a fresh look at McKeown’s quote while diving into the importance of recognizing triggers or antecedents, finding the initiating driver and committing to adapt appropriately.

Adaptation is inherent to being Human

“Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative,” is actually the full quote attributed to HG Wells.

Essentially in 1945 Wells reminding us that change is inevitable. We must learn to adapt as the world moves forward or be bulldozed by progress. Historians outline countless examples, beyond comprehension. We benefit when remembering that  when we fail to learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.

In the newsletter I shared a simple example of how, during this pandemic I applied my three-step model to changing my outcomes when I noticed I was experiencing nausea every afternoon. I mentioned we are less likely to act when the reward is delayed. This pandemic is a flashing red light, reminding us that we rarely adapt intentionally and thoughtfully. We need constant reinforcement, shining a light on the need. It’s the marshmallow experiment, come to life.

While adaptation is inherent in the human condition, we fail at every turn. We let circumstances just happen to us. Then we take credit, when we survive.  Evolution happened to us. We eventually stopped moving on all fours. One day we stumble onto fire and observed the benefits of using round objects to move heavy items. Eventually these objects carried us every where.  Our brain, with the production of cooked food, developed a limbic system so we expanded our capacity to connect more deeply with others. With this superpower, we learned to collaborate to survive since we weren’t the strongest or fastest animal.  Over time, this brain adapted further, developing the cerebral cortex. This contributed language, writing and complex thinking and problem-solving skills. We could now record and learn from the past. Still we are led around by that primitive brain, failing to learn the lessons.

Adapt by Identifying the Antecedents to Patterns

Adapt Not to Fit but to Evolve

Many people adapt, not to grow, but to fit in. We want to belong. It is essential, of course. Collaboration and cooperation are built on the human need to belong. Social researcher, Ray Baumeister, says that everything we do is motivated by our need to belong. This may be why it is so hard for us to adapt. Often, we are inspired to adapt by the thinkers who refuse to pander to the limited thinking of the masses.

Life is one big Experiment

HG Wells inspired creative engagement in the world. He saw life as one big experiment. Max McKeown additionally, reminds us how failure awaits us when we fail to learn from our experience.  A person with an experimental, curious or growth mindset is destined to challenge everything.

Continuous learning and fresh insights are the goal of the experimental approach. What will the evidence teach us? Moreover, this approach is generative in addition to being iterative. With an experimental collaborative approach, we may find progress is faster and we go further.  In collaboration we can crack this, but only together with a willingness to learn and honour the data and the stories will we arrive where we seek to go.

We may be capable of more closely monitoring and learning from our choices and decisions and build capacity to adjust our actions to meet the current situation. Then, we may influence how things unfold. There’s a difference between wanting something and making something happen. With the mindset necessary to perform under pressure we’re able to influence results more deeply. This mindset that relies on clarity, curiosity and a resilient spirit we accept no excuses, only meaningful results. Furthermore, it’s essential we learn to evaluate the risk of any action, removing the very human emotions that cloud our judgment.

Walk with me.

Walk with me to build the skills to adapt when needed. Together let’s examine options consciously and authentically to make choices that move us strategically toward where we want to be.  Where may client wants to go is my paramount focus. Strategy is a about choices. Execution on these choices requires masterful performance. Furthermore, a well-developed process allows us to enjoy the journey far more fully

Be part of the journey in 2020.

Start by subscribing to my mailing list . Subscribers receive:

1. My interactive exercise to begin reducing the impacts of stress and feelings of overwhelm will be sent.
2. My newsletter with the related podcast episode will be sent weekly.
3. Special offers will be available to subscribers monthly including: a random offer of a complimentary one hour coaching conversation, access to roundtable engagements and group coaching on identity and related subjects, as well as information on an initiative on which I’m collaborating: #FeMasCon.

Adapt with the skills learned with Bank Your Impact (BYI)

The Bank Your Impact (BYI) System is about both developing and embedding self-awareness. Furthermore, the benefits of expanded resilience, connections built on understanding the impact of belonging and an ability to bolster a professional and authentic presence are foundational. Perhaps more than the other two, developing a foundational resilience is critical to with standing that which moves us into burnout.

Walk with Me!