The Book of Five Rings: What a Legendary Samurai Can Teach Us About Adaptability

One of my clients recently recommended “The Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi, and I have been thinking about it since I started reading it.

Musashi was a samurai who went undefeated in more than 60 duels. His book lays out his strategy and philosophy.

Adaptability wins

The principle that stuck with me most was adaptability.

In a duel, Musashi tailored his approach to the opponent in front of him rather than repeating past tactics. He focused only on actions that increased his chances of winning.

Beyond combat

The same idea applies outside of combat. The organisms that survive are not the largest or the strongest. They are the ones that learned how to adapt.

I have been thinking about the flip side of this too. Adaptability gets you through challenges, but comfort can quietly pull you off course. I wrote more about that in The Pleasure Pit.

What about you?

I keep coming back to this idea because it applies to so much of what I see in my work and my own life. The people who do well are rarely the ones with the best starting hand. They are the ones who adjust.

What was the biggest shift in your life? How did you adapt to it?