Stanley F. Bronstein – Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

CHAPTER 5 – ABSTRACT KNOWLEDGE, INSIGHT & SKILLS – Part 1 of 2

Questions Regarding Today’s Post?

After you’ve read this article, I’d like to know:

1) What do you think about the Art of War so far? Do you think it’s an outdated text that should be abandoned, OR do you think it’s ideas apply to our lives more than ever.

2) How do you interpret what we’ve discussed so far?

Abstract Knowledge, Insight & Skills

Abstract – Theoretical; not applied or practical. Thought that is apart from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances. Something that concentrates in itself the essential qualities of anything more extensive or more general, or of several things; essence.

Knowledge – Acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation. Awareness, as of a fact or circumstance.

Insight – An instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, esp. through intuitive understanding. Penetrating mental vision or discernment; faculty of seeing into inner character or underlying truth.

Skills – Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience.

Previous Posts On The Art of War

While each one of these posts is designed to be read separately and independently of each other, it would be useful if you read the previous posts on The Art of War, all of which can be found by clicking here, if you have not already done so.

Some Additional Quotes From Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu Said:

Ordering the many is like ordering the few. It is division and counting.

Fighting the many is like fighting the few. It is form and name.

The multitude of the armies can be made to meet all enemies without defeat. It is the extraordinary and the orthodox.

In sum, when in battle, use the orthodox to engage. Use the extraordinary to attain victory.

What Does This Quote Mean?

If one knows how to order a few; one can figure out how to order many. It is ALL just a matter of numbers.

If one can figure out how to fight the few; one can figure out how to fight the many. It is ALL just a matter of how we want to call it. It’s all the same thing, just with some differences.

Orthodox – Customary or conventional, as a means or method; established.

Extraordinary – Beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established.

When you are confronting your opponent, engage them with the ordinary; engage them with what they expect to see. Save the unconventional for the final victorious attack. Hit them with what they are NOT expecting when you want to be victorious.

The Power of Five

Musical pitches do not exceed five, yet all their variations cannot be heard.

Colors do not exceed five, yet all other variations cannot be seen.

Tastes do not exceed five, yet all their variations cannot be tasted.

The knowledge, insights and skills (shih) of battle do not exceed the extraordinary and the orthodox, yet all their variations cannot be exhausted.

What Does This Mean?

Variable / Variability – Apt or liable to vary or change; changeable. Capable of being varied or changed; alterable. Diversity.

Quite simply, one cannot know ALL of the possible outcomes; all of the possible variations.

Your power; your ability to prevail over your opponent comes from being able to take advantage of the possible variations; in being able to surprise your opponent with the extraordinary.

How Does This Apply To Real Life?

The Art of War may be a military text, BUT it applies to every aspect of our lives. Anywhere in our lives where we have an opponent, the ideas, suggestions and rules outlined herein apply.

Just think of it. Almost every single thing you do involves an opponent. You are negotiating a contract; you have an opponent. You are at the grocery store buying food; the store is “technically” your opponent. If you are having a discussion regarding the activities of your children; your children are you opponent.

Opponents are all around us and just because someone is your opponent, it is NOT necessarily a bad thing.

Opponent – Someone who is merely opposite from your position.

Opponents are not necessarily bad things. They are simply a fact of life.

Learning how to deal with them; how to work with them; how to get what you want; THAT IS THE KEY.

Questions For You?

What do you think about comparing the Orthodox with the Extraordinary? What are your thoughts and opinions?

Recommended Reading

Laws of Positioning #14 – Position Yourself To Be Conscious

Laws of Positioning #20 – Position Yourself To Be Creative

Laws of Positioning #85 – Position Yourself To Be A Risk Taker

What’s Next?

In our next post on The Art of War we will expand upon the concepts outlined today as we are nearly halfway through with The Art of War.

Popularity: 7% [?]