Adapt like a Octopus

I don’t like giving up

I really don’t like giving up.

It feels like failure. Failure to see through that commitment, that idea that should have worked.

I have felt this several times. For example, times when I have used the same methods in several organisations only to find—surprise, surprise! The method only works in one place.

In one church I pastored we set up a program to offer free English-speaking classes to people in the area, new to the country. It took off! Within a year, we were running up to 6 classes a week in multiple locations and helping over 60 people. Not bad for a little church of only 40 attendees.

But when I tried the model at another church in a different suburb, there was very little interest. It turned out the demographic was not the same and the average person there had other needs and priorities.

But it took me while to work that out and, of course, I didn’t want to give up what should be working. I think I annoyed some people with my blind perseverance.

Welcome to Animal Instincts where I attempt to extract some wisdom from our natural world and see what it might teach us at work and at home.

Octopi are surprisingly intelligent. In one documented study, researchers trained octopuses to manipulate and open a container to access a crab. The octopuses successfully learned the sequence and got faster at it with practice, but then the researchers altered the rules of the puzzle, essentially blocking the old method.

Instead of stubbornly repeating the old, ineffective behaviour (which many other animal species do), the octopuses paused, thoughtfully explored the new arrangement, and quickly switched to a new strategy to open the box.

I think it takes a degree of courage to admit that your great idea is not working. But it is essential to embrace an adaptive approach if progress is going to be possible.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results, is a famous motivational observation. One of the reasons it became popular is because it was used to help people with addictive behaviours. People who find it hard to do things differently.

As it turned out, the second church already had a way of helping people new to our country, but it was not the same as my way of doing things. I tried to make my idea work for some time. Keep persevering, and you will see fruit right?

But, no! My perseverance had turned into stubbornness.

If only I had known about the octopus.

The octopus succeeds not because it fails to persevere, but because it refuses to stop learning.

Adapting your plans is not a failure of commitment. It is the smart way to navigate a changing world.

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Be persistent about the goal, flexible about the method

Sometimes, the most important step towards success is recognising that our original approach isn't working. The courage to learn, adapt and try something different can make all the difference.

How well do you understand your own strengths—and where could you grow?

Take our free Which Animal Instinct Are You? Assessment to explore your workplace strengths and discover opportunities for personal growth.

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Want more practical lessons from nature? Explore more Animal Instincts articles for ideas about resilience, overcoming setbacks, leadership and adapting to change.

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And if you're ready to turn new insights into action, explore our Animal Instincts guided journals for structured reflection and practical personal development.

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