The Advantage of Adjusting

Today’s Theme

When you make a wrong turn while driving, (thankfully) your GPS doesn’t shame you for it. It doesn’t panic or tell you to quit the trip. It simply says, “Recalculating…” and gives you a new route forward.

What if we treated our personal growth and performance the same way?

In the pursuit of excellence, detours are inevitable and you won’t always stay perfectly on track. You’ll drift and realize your original route needs adjusting.

Today’s message is about the importance of course correction and how to adapt to the inevitable twists and turns that will arise along your journey.

Off Course ≠ Off Track

When NASA launched the Apollo missions to the moon, their engineers knew something counterintuitive: The spacecraft would be off course for the majority of the trek.

In fact, according to former NASA flight controllers, the Apollo rocket was only on course about 2–3% of the journey.

The rocket succeeded not because it stayed perfectly on track, but because it continually adjusted its direction. It had a clear destination and the flexibility to respond in real time to feedback from its environment.

The rocket’s non-linear path is a great metaphor for high performers.

There is no perfect path. There is no flawless execution. Circumstances will change and if you’re rigid and stubborn, you may drift off course. But if you’re adaptable, if you learn to course correct, you’ll grow more versatile and stronger with every shift.

You don’t have to change your destination and you don’t need to abandon your goals. But you do need to adjust your approach when the circumstances call for it.

Your competitive advantage isn’t having the perfect plan, but it is how well you adjust and respond when the plan inevitably breaks down.

Why the Best Always Evolve

No one makes the right decision all the time. Not you. Not me. Not the best in the world. But the good news is none of us have to.

If you hold the belief that success must be linear and mistake-free, you’ll likely get discouraged the first time you feel off course. But if you can normalize adaptation, you’ll free yourself up to stay in motion.

Most people try to white-knuckle their way through obstacles. Consequently, they double down on what’s not working and hope sheer effort will compensate for them. Although there can be power in persistence, it’s important to recognize there’s also power in pivoting.

When Michael Jordan entered the NBA in 1984, fans marveled at his athleticism and explosiveness. But as the league evolved and defenders adapted, he realized raw athleticism alone wouldn’t sustain a championship-level game.

As a result, Jordan deliberately evolved his game.

In 1988, Jordan began learning and refining what would become his signature fadeaway jumper, a shot that would later define the majority of his career.

Jordan didn’t wait until he had no choice to evolve. He saw the shifting landscape and chose to course correct proactively.

At the highest levels, performance isn’t just about raw talent or willpower. It’s about one’s ability to pivot and respond effectively. High performers don’t cling to what was, but rather they adjust to what is.

Because in a world that’s always changing, your ability to adjust with speed (not just effort) might be what sets you apart.

Speed of Adaptation is a Skill

Adaptability isn’t just about if you adjust, but it’s about how quickly you’re willing to do it.

Too many people waste time waiting for the perfect plan before they act. They gather more data. They overthink. They wait for conditions to be just right. But in high performance, the edge often goes to the person who’s willing to test and iterate quickly.

Speed of adaptation can be essential. The faster you notice what’s not working, the faster you can adjust. But noticing requires presence.

Psychological adaptability isn’t just about changing course, it’s about being grounded enough in the moment to recognize when a shift is needed. You can’t adjust what you don’t notice.

That’s why it helps to zoom out regularly and evaluate your trajectory. Here’s one question that can help you determine if you’re headed in the right direction:

If I repeated today (e.g. my habits, approach, decisions, etc.) for 100 days, would I be closer to or further from my goals?

If the answer is “closer,” keep going. If it’s “further,” that’s your cue to adjust. No shame. Just recalibration like your trusted GPS would advise you.

Final Thoughts:

Course correcting means you’re self-aware enough to notice when things are off, courageous enough to do something about it, and disciplined enough to stay focused on what matters most.

Course correction isn’t a sign that you’re lost. It’s a sign that you’re adjusting and learning on the path toward your destination.

If the path you’re on isn’t taking you where you want to go, then I’d invite you to adjust it. You don’t have to change the destination, but it might be time to recalibrate the route.

Inspiration for This Piece:

• Olson, J., & Mann, J. D. (2013). The Slight Edge. 8th anniversary ed. Greenleaf Book Group Press.

The Threshold Lab Podcast:

This week on The Threshold Lab, I chatted with UCLA Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Margueritte Aozasa. Coach Aozasa became the first rookie coach and the first woman of color to win the Division I National Championship back in 2022.

If you're new to the podcast, you'll also find shorter, bite-sized solo episodes throughout the week exploring mindset and performance principles. If you enjoy my conversation with Coach Aozasa (or any of my other episodes), it would mean a lot for you to rate and review the show on whatever platform you use.

My hope is this show continues to expand and positively impact other coaches and leaders so your support will help immensely.

With gratitude,

ZB