Western cultures is our love of a great perseverance story

One thing that seems especially true in Western cultures is our love of a great perseverance story—the plucky hero overcoming every obstacle to reach the pinnacle of their craft. Because of this deeply ingrained trope, one of two things often happens. We either push relentlessly toward a goal—head down, brow furrowed—failing to notice what is being lost or what better opportunities may have emerged. Or we never begin at all. The path just seems too hard, too daunting, to attempt.

So how do we find the sweet spot—holding a meaningful dream while staying engaged in the process of pursuing it? Because each time we get excited about a possibility only to see it fade, our motivation takes a hit. At some point, we begin to wonder: how many times can I get back up?

What if the goal isn’t to push harder or try less—but to learn how to adapt?

I remember trying to quit drinking vast oceans of Diet Coke. I had done the research—there was nothing anyone could tell me that I didn’t already know. I shared the goal with others, but more words, louder encouragement, or clever slogans didn’t help. And yet, over time, something shifted. Slowly, I let it go. What I needed wasn’t more information or more pressure. I needed something that could meet me where I was on a given day—something responsive, not rigid. Not a judge. Not a scorecard. A partner that could adjust as I adjusted.

I am working on building that kind of system now. ADAPT (working name) draws on research in behavior change, performance improvement, and adaptive systems, combined with the power of coaching and enhanced by artificial intelligence. At its core, ADAPT is built on a simple premise: sustainable change is not linear—it is responsive.

One aspect of ADAPT that resonates deeply with me is its respect for the natural rhythm of human motivation. Some days are better than others—that’s not failure, that’s reality. Instead of demanding perfect execution, ADAPT asks a different question: given today, what is the next best step forward?  It is not about starting over—it is about adjusting forward.

I will be sending out a call for volunteers to participate in a 90-day pilot of the system, likely beginning in June. For the entire Take 5! community, we will also begin exploring key concepts and insights from the ADAPT approach in the months ahead.  While I continue developing this system, we can all begin with Step 1: defining your You 2.0. Who are you becoming—and what do you need to start doing and stop doing to move in that direction? If you haven’t already, revisit the exercise from Vol. 9 No. 5, My Why in Action. This work will serve as the foundation for everything that follows.

Let’s continue to dream those dreams—but let’s also take steps, however small, toward making them real. It has been said that a dream deferred makes the heart grow sick. I would add: a dream acted upon—even imperfectly—builds momentum, magnifies joy, and uplifts those around us.  And that sounds like something worth adapting for.