This is the "thoughts are things analogy". Whether it is correct to apply this to an evolutionary model is debatable. As @earthcustodians suggested, flexibility is the key to evolutionary survival. Linear evolution only occurs when conditions remain identical.
So it sounds good as positive thinking/personal motivation "parable" but is it a solid argument?
I think its comparable on the basis that:
This is hardly an attempt at motivational/positive thinking rhetoric or "thoughts are things" but simply a look at some similarities in principles