Sun Tzu and 15 ways to make better choices.
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What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins but excels in winning with ease.
We would all like to be that person, the clever fighter who excels in winning with ease. The problem is knowing how to become such a person. Here are fifteen ways for you to get closer to being a clever fighter.
1. Be strong. Be confident.
2. Know that you are part of the problem, not the problem.
3. Do not fool yourself unintentionally.
4. Information leads to the solution.
5. Information and knowledge.
6. Break it down.
7. No emotional influences.
8. Know and use combined energy.
9. Commit.
10 Preparation is power in your pocket.
11. Patience not procrastination.
12. Understand there is a process.
13. Be flexible. Journey v destination.
14. Facts not fantasy.
15. Get going.
1. Be strong. Be confident.
Believe that you can be and this is not just wishful thinking. Write down your goal, keep it simple and specific. This is very important and not that easy to do. Keeping it simple or specific is not that hard, but combining the two, that’s the trick. One part of the goal is that you are strong enough to achieve your goal. Believing you are strong enough will give you the confidence to continue until you have achieved your goal. Confidence is not a genetic gift for everyone, however, you can grow it like any bad habit we have.
3.11 Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.
2. Know your problem is that you are part of the problem, not the problem.
We are who we are and we are where we are due to the trail of choices we have made. When we realize this, we can change how we make decisions and choose to make different choices. Before we can change our situation we need to change our perspective, or how we see ourselves and how we fit into the world around us. By changing our perspective we give ourselves the chance to see options that were previously hidden from ourselves by ourselves. When we change our perspective we have already changed who we are and who we now see what our enemies are. We also change our understanding of Heaven and Earth, and our chances of succeeding where we have not succeeded before.
3.18 Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
10.31 Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
3. Do not fool yourself unintentionally.
1.18 All warfare is based on deception.
Life is hard enough however when we are deceived by others, it is ever so much harder when we deceive ourselves. We deceive ourselves when we tell ourselves that others are better, smarter, and more deserving of success than we are.
The only thing we have complete control over is our choices. Whether to make one or not to make one. Procrastination is a fool's choice. This is our true freedom and power, to make a choice. Emotions can deceive us or interfere with how easily we are deceived.
4. Information leads to the solution.
13.4 Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is FOREKNOWLEDGE.
We are now in the era of the Information Superhighway. This means we need to develop extra skills. Previously we had to develop the skill of how to find the information we needed. Now we need to develop the skill of navigating the ocean of information that can overwhelm, distract and simply wear us out. Knowing what is relevant information and what is waffle, has always been a prized skill. This skill has become ever more important. Having too much information can interfere with the ability to make timely decisions. A decision without action is merely a thought. The information you need to make a good choice should be reliable, accurate, complete, understandable, and timely.
5. Information and knowledge.
13.8 When these five kinds of spies are all at work, none can discover the secret system. This is called "divine manipulation of the threads." It is the sovereign's most precious faculty.
Spies and guides. We all need them and have them. Some will lead us astray or be victims of their needs clashing with ours. Spies and guides are our parents, family, friends, teachers, associates, colleagues, television, print media, and not the internet. The failing here is knowing which will advance us in our ability to make a good choice and which will not serve us well. Spies and guides can also be a mentor. A mentor can be a powerful factor in our ambition to make good choices.
6. Break it down.
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. Big decisions are always based on and affected by numerous smaller decisions. The other major factor of a good choice is the timeliness of that choice. No point to choose to catch the ten o'clock movie if it is already ten thirty. If you make good small choices, then the major choice will be much simpler. Learning how to break down big, complex choices into smaller easier choices is a skill worth developing.
3.17 Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:
(1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
(2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
(3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
(4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
(5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
3.10 Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end, it must be captured by the larger force.
5.1 Sun Tzu said: The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.
11.32 The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.
7.No emotional influence be at peace with yourself and the solution.
Emotions can be debilitating when it comes to making certain choices. Emotions can be useful when implementing a choice however it is always best to keep emotions out of the process of making a choice.
7.2 Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonise the different elements thereof before pitching his camp.
12.18 No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.
12.20 Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.
8. Know and use combined energy.
We all know it is easier to lift a heavy weight with many strong people than to lift it ourselves. When making a choice it is no different. Recruit those who are stronger than you in specific areas. It is not weak to do so but smart. If you make good smaller choices, their combined energy can mean the big important choice is easier, not easy, and a much better choice can be made. Take every advantage and benefit of the smaller choices to improve the big ones. The more you know the more options you will have. The better your education, the better your chances of making a good income. This is the essence of combined energy.
5.21 The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilise combined energy.
9. Commit.
This is the heart and soul of a good choice, putting it into action. If you have done your homework, considered all your options, and taken advantage of all your strengths and their weaknesses, then committing to your choice should not be a problem. If you are hesitant to commit, you have a serious indicator that you may not be making the right choice. This is not to be confused with making a choice we would rather not have to face let alone make. We all have to make choices we would rather not, however, this is very different from making a bad choice.
11.38 At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.
5.14 Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.
11.52 We cannot ally with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country—its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.
10 Preparation is power in your pocket plan ahead.
Being prepared means you have many options that you can turn to if or when needed. Better to have too many options than too few. Options here are choices, choices are power. If you have more choices than your adversary, then you are the more powerful. Your adversary could be a problem or a situation and not a person. Having options of who to talk to at a function and what to talk about puts you in a much better situation. Having choices of who not to speak to and what not to talk about can put you into a much better mindset and this means you should make better choices.
3.17 (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
6.16 The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.
6.18 Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.
10.5 From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
11. Patience not procrastination.
Patience is a virtue. Procrastination is virtually a sin. Patience is waiting for information or an opportunity to move forward. Procrastination deciding to avoid a decision. Patience is taking responsibility, procrastination is giving your power away.
2.6 There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.
12. Understand there is a process. Simply improve yours.
We all have a process for making choices. We probably have several, depending on the choice we have to make. Successful people have understood this and set about improving their processes to deliver better results. If you are reading this, you are one of the successful people.
4.18 Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to Measurement; Calculation to Estimation of quantity; Balancing of chances to Calculation; and Victory to Balancing of chances
13. Be flexible. Journey v destination.
If you enjoy the journey, arriving at the destination will sometimes seem disappointing. When you improve your process of making choices, you will enjoy your outcomes more. Being flexible means keeping an open mind to other or new options to consider before making a choice. Imagine you have booked your perfect holiday. You have made all the good choices so you can afford it and revel in it. At the airport, you are offered an upgrade to your seating. You have chosen the best apartment to stay in that was available, however when you arrive, due to low occupancy you are offered an upgrade to a better apartment. How foolish would you be not to consider the offers? You may not accept them for various reasons, however, to dismiss them out of hand does not seem to be a wise reaction.
1.17 According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one's plans.
5.5 In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed to secure victory.
14. Facts not fantasy.
Too often we base our choices on conditions would rather believe exists than what exists. We can insert assumptions instead of making sure of the facts. This is when we build in the disorder of some description to the outcome of our choice. This is why keeping emotions out of the process, while rarely easy to do so, will serve you well.
11.26 Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
15. Get going.
Once you have made your choice – take action. Move on. Do not dwell on what could have been or should have been. Never say if I knew then what I know now I would have chosen different. This is stating the obvious and precludes any worthwhile learning from the experience. Learn from previous poor or bad choices, however, do not demean the process or when you were not as learned as you are now. Know you could always have done better or differently. Knowing you could have done differently does not relate to having done better. Do not be seduced into being muddled by chasing what could have been, other than to learn.
Know you will make mistakes with many variations. Also, know you will make brilliant choices that will be the envy of others. Others will not tell you so, remember you do not always tell others that you thought one of their choices was brilliant.
Learn from your mistakes and revel in your success.