---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: During periods of discontinuous, abrupt…"
description: "\"During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change, the essence of adaptation involves a keen sensitivity to what should be abandoned - not what should be ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/peter-drucker-393_abandoned_during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-c_676343.png"
---

#  During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change, the…

![“During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change, the essence of adaptation involves a keen sensitivity to what should be abandoned - not what should be changed or introduced. A willingness to depart from the familiar has distinct survival value.” quote by Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/peter-drucker-393_abandoned_during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-c_676343.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/peter-drucker-393_abandoned_during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-c_676343.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/peter-drucker-393_abandoned_during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-c_676343.png)

> “During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change, the essence of adaptation involves a keen sensitivity to what should be abandoned - not what should be changed or introduced. A willingness to depart from the familiar has distinct survival value.”

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Adaptation requires recognizing when to discard outdated practices rather than constantly adding new ones.

**In simple terms:** Let go of old habits to survive change.

Key Takeaway

Identify and eliminate ineffective methods.

Themes

adaptation change management strategic thinking

Mood

critical strategic

Type

practical insightful

When to use this quote

- business restructuring
- personal habit change
- technology upgrades
- market shifts

Key Concepts

organizational learning survival instincts

Questions to Reflect On

- What practices are you clinging to that hinder growth?
- How can you test what should be abandoned?

A Different Perspective

Discarding can be costly if not carefully evaluated.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Adaptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adaptation/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Sensitivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensitivity/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Willingness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willingness/)

## Related quotes

> [Revolution is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/revolution-is-an-abrupt-change-in-the-form-of-misgovernment/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [“For many people, depression is an abrupt change in an otherwise full and happy life. It emerges suddenly and devastates by its very strangeness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nell-casey/for-many-people-depression-is-an-abrupt-change-in-an-otherwise-full/)

Nell Casey

> [“Revolution - In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/revolution-in-politics-an-abrupt-change-in-the-form-of-misgovernment/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [“The unglamorous truth is that there are but a handful of uniquely human traits that we have clearly demonstrated are adaptations evolved to thrive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rutherford/the-unglamorous-truth-is-that-there-are-but-a-handful-of-uniquely/)

[Adam Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rutherford/)

> [“The tendency for depression to repeat reflects the normal default settings of a plastic mood system that is open to experience. The unfortunate consequence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-rottenberg/the-tendency-for-depression-to-repeat-reflects-the-normal-default/)

[Jonathan Rottenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-rottenberg/)

> [There is change by necessity or adaptation, and there is contrived change or novelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/there-is-change-by-necessity-or-adaptation-and-there-is-contrived/)

[Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/)

> [“Evolution is more about adaptivity than adaptability.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/evolution-is-more-about-adaptivity-than-adaptability/)

[Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/)

> [The world may not be ready yet for the film equivalent of books on tape, but this peculiar phenomenon has arrived in the form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-mitchell/the-world-may-not-be-ready-yet-for-the-film-equivalent-of-books-on/)

[Elvis Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-mitchell/)

> [It is a law of nature we overlook, that intellectual versatility is the compensation for change, danger, and trouble. An animal perfectly in harmony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-law-of-nature-we-overlook-that-intellectual-versatility-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The facts of variability, of the struggle for existence, of adaptation to conditions, were notorious enough; but none of us had suspected that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-facts-of-variability-of-the-struggle-for-existence-of-adaptation/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The survival of the fittest is the ageless law of nature, but the fittest are rarely the strong. The fittest are those endowed with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-smalley/the-survival-of-the-fittest-is-the-ageless-law-of-nature-but-the/)

[Dave Smalley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-smalley/)

> [My familiarity with the successful use of very long steel ropes for mining purposes naturally suggested their adaptation to the new purpose of deep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-agassiz/my-familiarity-with-the-successful-use-of-very-long-steel-ropes-for/)

Alexander Agassiz

> [“Why I am Passionate and Dedicated 1000% to producing and bringing my books Loving Summer, Bitter Frost, and other book series to the Screen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailin-gow/why-i-am-passionate-and-dedicated-1000-to-producing-and-bringing-my/)

[Kailin Gow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailin-gow/)

> [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/)

Edward Einhorn

> [“The global population of Earth are involved in the following corporate government experiments: The long term effects of - 1. Nuclear bomb fallout radiation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-global-population-of-earth-are-involved-in-the-following/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

## More by Peter Drucker

> [One reason for the tremendous increase in health-care costs in the U.S. is managerial neglect of the "hotel services" by the people who dominate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/one-reason-for-the-tremendous-increase-in-health-care-costs-in-the-u/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [No executive has ever suffered because his subordinates were strong and effective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/no-executive-has-ever-suffered-because-his-subordinates-were-strong/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [Results is all that separates one company from another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/results-is-all-that-separates-one-company-from-another/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all. Peter Drucker”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/there-is-nothing-so-useless-as-doing-efficiently-that-which-should/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [Our society has become an employee society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/our-society-has-become-an-employee-society/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [Replace your pursuit of success with the pursuit of contribution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/replace-your-pursuit-of-success-with-the-pursuit-of-contribution/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [Management means, in the last analysis, the substitution of thought for brawn and muscle, of knowledge for folkways and superstition, and of cooperation for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/management-means-in-the-last-analysis-the-substitution-of-thought-for/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [Don't try to innovate for the future. Innovate for the present!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/don-t-try-to-innovate-for-the-future-innovate-for-the-present/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [The critical question is not "How can I achieve?" but "What can I contribute?"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-critical-question-is-not-how-can-i-achieve-but-what-can-i/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [We can say with certainty - or 90% probability - that the new industries that are about to be born will have nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/we-can-say-with-certainty-or-90-probability-that-the-new-industries/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [When it rains manna from heaven, some people put up an umbrella. Others reach for a big spoon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/when-it-rains-manna-from-heaven-some-people-put-up-an-umbrella-others/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [The enterprise can fulfill its human and social functions only if it prospers as a business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-enterprise-can-fulfill-its-human-and-social-functions-only-if-it/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [The computer actually may have aggravated management's degenerative tendency to focus inward on costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/the-computer-actually-may-have-aggravated-management-s-degenerative/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [Nobody can predict the future; the idea is to have a firm grasp of the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/nobody-can-predict-the-future-the-idea-is-to-have-a-firm-grasp-of-the/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

> [An executive should be a realist; and no one is less realistic than the cynic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/an-executive-should-be-a-realist-and-no-one-is-less-realistic-than/)

[Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

[Explore all 603 Peter Drucker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/)

## More Abandoned quotes

> [“I'm surprised when I walk right into yet another abandoned hunters' camp. Tattered plastic sheeting still hangs askew here and there. Blackened aerosol cans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-bass/i-m-surprised-when-i-walk-right-into-yet-another-abandoned-hunters/)

[Rick Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-bass/)

> [It’s hard to feel attracted to someone who has abandoned her sense of autonomy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/it-s-hard-to-feel-attracted-to-someone-who-has-abandoned-her-sense-of/)

[Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/)

> [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/)

[John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/)

> [In Russia there is an emigration of intelligence: émigrés cross the frontier in order to read and to write good books. But in doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-russia-there-is-an-emigration-of-intelligence-migr-s-cross-the/)

[Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/)

> [Early on in my life, I had a broken soul. I was abused by my father, abandoned by my mother and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/early-on-in-my-life-i-had-a-broken-soul-i-was-abused-by-my-father/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [We should be recklessly abandoned to Jesus, and just turn it over to Him. Through the support I think the sacrifices will be made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacie-orrico/we-should-be-recklessly-abandoned-to-jesus-and-just-turn-it-over-to/)

[Stacie Orrico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacie-orrico/)

> [In the eyes of those lovers of perfection, a work is never finished a word that for them has no sense but abandoned; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-valery/in-the-eyes-of-those-lovers-of-perfection-a-work-is-never-finished-a/)

[Paul Valery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-valery/)

> [The whole force of the respectable circles to which I belonged, that respectable circle which knew as I did notthe value of security won,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ida-tarbell/the-whole-force-of-the-respectable-circles-to-which-i-belonged-that/)

[Ida Tarbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ida-tarbell/)

> [Barack Obama became president, and he abandoned Iraq. He left, and when he left Al Qaida was done for. ISIS was created because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/barack-obama-became-president-and-he-abandoned-iraq-he-left-and-when/)

[Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/)

> [“The desperate loneliness is nothing compared to the torture of falling in love and then being abandoned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-nuest/the-desperate-loneliness-is-nothing-compared-to-the-torture-of/)

A.J. Nuest

> [Through it all, this wild life on and off the road , through Jordanian deserts , Spanish islands, German prisons, Caribbean tax scams, halls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-burdon/through-it-all-this-wild-life-on-and-off-the-road-through-jordanian/)

[Eric Burdon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-burdon/)

> [I've never been keen on open adoption. It doesn't seem to solve the main problem with adoption, which is that somebody feels she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-ve-never-been-keen-on-open-adoption-it-doesn-t-seem-to-solve-the/)

[Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/)

> [Blacks abandoned morals, fathers, and real belief in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-lee-peterson/blacks-abandoned-morals-fathers-and-real-belief-in-god/)

[Jesse Lee Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-lee-peterson/)

> [I just feel abandoned. And I feel, I don't feel represented by the Republican Party. I have always had to defend the social side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-johnson/i-just-feel-abandoned-and-i-feel-i-don-t-feel-represented-by-the/)

[Gary Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-johnson/)

> [While society cannot provide employment for its members, the production/work/income nexus has to be abandoned as a justification for our present parsimony to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hawke/while-society-cannot-provide-employment-for-its-members-the/)

[Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hawke/)

Browse all 932 Abandoned quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change, the essence of adaptation involves a keen sensitivity to what should be abandoned - not what should be changed or introduced. A willingness to depart from the familiar has distinct survival value.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Peter Drucker"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-change-the-essence-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Abandoned"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-change-the-essence-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/peter-drucker-393_abandoned_during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-c_676343.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/peter-drucker-393_abandoned_during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-c_676343.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d8/peter-drucker-393_abandoned_during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-c_676343.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change, the essence of adaptation involves a keen sensitivity to…” — Peter Drucker",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Peter Drucker",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "During periods of discontinuous, abrupt change,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-change-the-essence-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/during-periods-of-discontinuous-abrupt-change-the-essence-of/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
