Daily Reflection 5.26.21
May. 26th, 2021 09:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
readoldthingsSun Tzu closes Chapter 11 by sharinga series of aphorisms, much of which we've heard before already. One idea comes up over and over that I'd like to discuss:
In war, this looks like driving deep into enemy territory, or burning bridges or ships behind you. Your soldiers know that there is no way out, and so they will fight to the death.
But this idea is useful in life, as well. It's often the case that we want to accomplish something but we're afraid to, or we're not ready, or we're waiting for just the right conditions. If we continue in this state, we never achieve anything! One way to overcome these sorts of blocks is to force the issue, but doing the equivalent of marching deep into enemy territory or burning your ships behind you.
But what does that mean?
Consider the following example:
A man wanted to be a musician, but he was afraid he wasn't good enough. So he booked himself a series of gigs, billing himself as a singer/songwriter. With the dates already scheduled and the audience lined up, there was no backing out, and no way forward but to succeed as a musician.
Or another one. Some friends and I were discussing going on a road to do a kind of speaking tour. I expected nothing to come of it, but then one of the guys, who had contacts in various underground music scene, went ahead and booked 7 dates for us around California. With absolutely nothing at all prepared, there was nothing to but go forward with it.
It's very often the case that if you're hesitant about something, or afraid to go forward, you can force the issue on yourself. In a worst case scenario, you fail-- but that's better than never trying, or, worst of all, not trying out of fear of embarrassment!
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men will put forth their uttermost strength./
Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in the heart of a hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in the heart of a hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
In war, this looks like driving deep into enemy territory, or burning bridges or ships behind you. Your soldiers know that there is no way out, and so they will fight to the death.
But this idea is useful in life, as well. It's often the case that we want to accomplish something but we're afraid to, or we're not ready, or we're waiting for just the right conditions. If we continue in this state, we never achieve anything! One way to overcome these sorts of blocks is to force the issue, but doing the equivalent of marching deep into enemy territory or burning your ships behind you.
But what does that mean?
Consider the following example:
A man wanted to be a musician, but he was afraid he wasn't good enough. So he booked himself a series of gigs, billing himself as a singer/songwriter. With the dates already scheduled and the audience lined up, there was no backing out, and no way forward but to succeed as a musician.
Or another one. Some friends and I were discussing going on a road to do a kind of speaking tour. I expected nothing to come of it, but then one of the guys, who had contacts in various underground music scene, went ahead and booked 7 dates for us around California. With absolutely nothing at all prepared, there was nothing to but go forward with it.
It's very often the case that if you're hesitant about something, or afraid to go forward, you can force the issue on yourself. In a worst case scenario, you fail-- but that's better than never trying, or, worst of all, not trying out of fear of embarrassment!
