Meditation for Monday – April 5, 2010

The Manner Of Victory Is Determined According To The Opponent.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Manner – A way of doing, being done, or happening; mode of action.

Victory - A success or triumph over an opponent. The ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or conquest.

Determined – Concluded or ascertained, as after reasoning, observation, etc..

According – In harmony with.  Corresponding with.  In relationship with.

Opponent – An adversary, as in a battle, a contest or a debate.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Today’s Meditation

Today’s meditation is all about strategy.

Basically, when determining strategy, one must tailor that strategy to fit one’s particular opponent.

A “one-size fits all” strategy simply won’t work in many situation.

Instead, a customized, tailor-made strategy must be used.

Some Examples

When the tires on your car go bad, you do not replace them with generic, “one-size fits all” tires.  Instead, you use the appropriate size, model and make that works for your particular model of car.

When one needs surgery to fix a problem, your doctor doesn’t simply give you aspirin and hope the problem goes away.  They perform the surgery.

Key Questions You Should Ask Yourself

As you meditate upon today’s subject, I want you to ask yourself:

• What are the problems I am currently facing (in other words, who/what are my opponents)?
• What actions am I currently taking to deal with those opponents?
• Are my actions appropriate in light of the nature of those opponents?
• What other actions should I consider taking that might be more appropriate due to the nature of the opponents I am facing?

Meditation for Sunday – April 4, 2010

The Victorious Military Is First Victorious
And After That Does Battle.

The Defeated Military First Does Battle
And After That Seeks Victory.

(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Victory - A success or triumph over an opponent. The ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or conquest.

Military - A group of forces, usually assembled for purposes of waging battle.

First - Being before all others with respect to time, order, rank, importance, etc..

After – Later in time than; in succession to; at the close of.  Subsequent to and in consequence of.

Battle – Any conflict or struggle.  A hostile encounter or engagement between opposing military forces.

Defeated – A group that has been bested.  A group that has been overcome, overthrown or overturned.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Today’s Meditation

Today’s meditation is all about doing things in the proper order.

It’s about not putting the “cart before the horse.”.  The horse pulls the cart.  The cart does not pull the horse.

In this case, one does not achieve victory as a result of having done battle.  One battles because they know that they will be victorious as a result of that battle.

In other words, don’t engage your opponent unless and until you know you are going to win.

If you’re not sure of whether or not you’re going to win, then don’t engage your opponent.

If you follow this strategy, then you will never be defeated.  You will never lose.

This Is A Useful Principle For All Areas Of Your Life

So many people have a hard time understanding Sun Tzu’s Art of War because it is primarily a military text.

That may be true, but when one realizes that life itself is a struggle; that life itself is a “form” of battle, then one realizes his principles can be applied to all areas of your life.

It applies to business.

It applies to family relationships.

It applies to friendships.

It applies virtually anywhere.

Anywhere that you are on one side and someone else is on another, then the principles behind the Art of War can be useful.

Meditation for Saturday – April 3, 2010

Seek Victory, Not Conquest.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Seek – To go in search or quest of.  To try to find or discover by searching or questioning.  To try to obtain.

Victory - A success or triumph over an opponent.  The ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or conquest.

Not- Used to express negation

Conquest – The act or state of overcoming by force or the state of being overcome by force.  To master.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Victory is winning the battle.  Conquest is the total subjugation of one’s opponent.

It is possible to achieve victory without conquering an opponent.

It is also possible to conquer an opponent, yet not achieve victory.

How is that?

A Perfect Example

One can conquer an enemy by totally wiping them out.  However, because the enemy has been totally destroyed, they no longer exist.

For example, when an army wants to capture a city, they might simply try to enter the city and take control.  That would be victory.  Alternatively, the army could enter the city, then rape and pillage before finally burning the city to the ground.

In the first scenario, the victorious army could then take control of the city and use it for their own purposes.  The people who formally controlled the city are still alive, so that can also be a good thing.

In the second scenario, there is no city left for the invading army to use for their own purposes.  Furthermore, the people who formally controlled the city are so beaten and broken that they are of no further use.  Lastly, the survivors might be so angry that they will not rest until they’ve obtained revenge against the invaders.

Once Again, It’s About Balance

The Art of War suggests that when seeking to obtain victory, one should only go as far as is necessary.  One should not go any further.

The best course of action is to use as little force as possible in obtaining victory.

In other words, go only as far as is necessary and do not go any further.

It’s about balance.

Now, ask yourself if you’ve ever been “guilty” of going “too far” in a given situation.  I know I have from time to time.

Once you’ve answered that question, you should then ask yourself what you can do to balance things out in the hopes of learning how to go only as far as is necessary and no further.

Once you’ve done that, you will know how to achieve a form of victory that will help you lead a richer and more rewarding life.

Tomorrow’s Meditation

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus on decided when and when not to do battle.

Meditation for Friday – April 2, 2010

Even Virtues Become Vulnerabilities When Taken To An Extreme.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Virtue – Moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.  Conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles.

Become - Change, or grow to be.

Vulnerability – Capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt.  Open to attack.

Taken – To appropriate for one’s benefit.

Extreme – Utmost or exceedingly great in degree.  Exceeding the bounds of moderation.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Today’s meditation is all about moderation and balance.

There is a saying that sums it up quite nicely:

Everything in moderation, even moderation.

Whenever anything is overdone, it causes problems.

It’s even possible to have too much of a good thing.  After all, wouldn’t one think it’s impossible to have too much virtue?

Well, guess what.  It is possible to have too much virtue.

A Perfect Example

Take the example of the Crusades that took place over a several hundred year period from the late 11th century into the 15th century.

The Crusades were primarily led by Christians against the Muslims, but they also were led against other groups as well.  The premise behind the Crusades for Christians to take military action on behalf of the church, in return for being granted penance for their past sins.

In “theory”, these were religious was being fought on behalf of virtuous causes in the hopes of gaining virtue for oneself.

Untold numbers of people were killed, on both sides, as a result.

Assuming for a moment that one believes killing is a bad thing, then isn’t it possible the crusader’s quest for virtue was taken too far?

The Same Principles Apply Today

Look around you.  Read the news.  Think of examples from your own life.

Look for examples of people who were attempting to do good who took things too far.

Now, ask yourself if you’ve ever been “guilty” of having done the same.  I know I have from time to time.

Once you’ve answered that question, you should then ask yourself what you can do to balance things out in the hopes of achieving a more balanced life.

Once you’ve achieved a more balanced life, you will have achieved a form of victory that will help you lead a richer and more rewarding life.

Tomorrow’s Meditation

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus on the difference between victory and conquest.

Meditation for Thursday – April 1, 2010

When In Battle, Use The Orthodox To Engage And
Use The Extraordinary To Attain Victory.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Battle – A hostile encounter or engagement between opposing forces.  Any conflict or struggle.

Use – To employ for some purpose; put into service; make use of.  To avail oneself of.  Apply to one’s own purposes.

Orthodox – Of, pertaining to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved.  Customary or conventional.  Of, pertaining to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy or ideology.

Engage – To bring into conflict.  To occupy the attention or efforts of a person or persons.

Extraordinary – Beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular or established.  Exceptional in character, amount, extent, degree, etc.

Attain – To reach, achieve or accomplish; gain; obtain.

Victory - A success or triumph over an opponent. The ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or conquest.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Today’s meditation suggests an interesting concept.  It suggests that when you are engaging any opponent, that you should save your “best stuff” for last.

Don’t start out the battle with your “best stuff.”  After all, once you’ve used your “best stuff”, you have nothing left to surprise your opponent.

If instead you start out with normal strategies, your opponent will underestimate you.  Your opponent will think you’re nothing but ordinary.  As a consequence, they will not be expecting it when you hit them with your “best stuff” – THE EXTRAORDINARY.

How Does This Apply In Your Daily Life?

That’s for you to decide.  As you meditate upon this concept, ask yourself:  Who (or what) are my opponents?

After you’ve identified your opponents, analyze how you have faced them in the past.  As you do this, look for ways in which you might be able to surprise them.

Surprise – To come upon or discover suddenly and unexpectedly.  To make an unexpected assault.

Unexpected – Unforeseen.  Surprising.

Look for ways you might be able to hit them with the unexpected – the extraordinary.  That’s the tactic that has the greatest likelihood of success.

Tomorrow’s Meditation

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus on the nature of virtue and how they can become a vulnerability, if taken to extreme.

Meditation for Wednesday – March 31, 2010

Victory Can Be Discerned, But Not Manufactured.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Victory - A success or triumph over an opponent.  The ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or conquest.

Discern- To perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect.  To distinguish or discriminate.

Manufacture - The making or producing of anything.  To generate.  To produce.  To invent; fabricate or concoct.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Today’s meditation is a simple concept that when analyzed, is remarkably complex.

Quite simply.  One can learn to recognize victory, but one can’t learn how to manufacture it.

In short, either victory is there or it is not there.

The trick is not to learn how to create victory.  The trick is to learn how to recognize situations in which the ability to achieve victory is present and then to take advantage of those situations.

The Ability To Discern

In order to “discern”, one must have vision.  One must be willing to look around them, with an open mind, and to notice things others do not see.

That is perhaps the most important characteristic of highly successful people.

THEY SEE THINGS OTHERS DO NOT SEE.

Today, I want you to look around and try to “see” what’s around you.  Try to notice things others do not see.  Try to notice things that might have been there all along that you never noticed before.

You’ll be amazed at what you might find.

Tomorrow’s Meditation

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus on tactics.  Tactics is the art of learning how to come up with a plan or procedure to get things done, thus increasing the likelihood of success and/or victory.

Meditation for Tuesday – March 30, 2010

Vulnerability Is A Matter Of Having Gaps.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Vulnerability - Degree to which one is capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt. One’s openness to attack, criticism, temptation, etc. Opennes to assault. An inability to defend one’s self.

Matter – Something of consequence, importance or significance.  A situation, state, affair or business.

Having – To possess; own; hold for use; contain.  To hold, possess, or accept.

Gap - A break or opening.  An empty space or interval; interruption in continuity.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Yesterday we touched on the concept of vulnerability.  Today we’re going to meditate on it further.

Vulnerability

As we discussed yesterday, by its very nature, being vulnerable has both an offensive and a defensive component.

• Being vulnerable, offensively, means that one better not do much attacking, as they are open to being defeated as a result of having done so.
• Being vulnerable, defensively, is even worse. In that situation, one is likely to be attacked by an opponent who senses the likelihood of victory against you as a result of having done so.
• The worst situation is one where you are vulnerable, both offensively and defensively. In that situation, you have very little likelihood of prevailing in battle.

Quite simply, being vulnerable is when one is not quite up to the task they are facing.

Something is missing.  There is a “hole” in your structure that is preventing it from being whole.

In other words, there are “holes” in your “whole.”

Analyze Your Situation

Where are your gaps?  Where are the “holes” in your “whole?”

Like any weakness, you must first identify it in order to reduce it.

Perhaps one of the best ways to identify your “gaps” is to work backwards.  Instead of looking for gaps, look for weaknesses.  Once you’ve found a weakness, ask yourself:  what is missing here?

When you answer that question, you will have found your “gap” that needs to be worked on.

Tomorrow’s Meditation

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus on learning how to recognize situations in which you are likely to achieve victory.

Meditation for Monday – March 29, 2010

Invincibility Is In One’s Self
Vulnerability Is In One’s Opponent.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Invincibility – Ability for one to be incapable of being conquered, defeated, or subdued.  Ability to be insurmountable.

Self – A person or thing referred to with respect to complete individuality.

Vulnerability - Degree to which one is capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt.  One’s openness to attack, criticism, temptation, etc.  Opennes to assault.  An inability to defend one’s self.

Opponent - An adversary.  One who is opposite in position.  Person on the opposing side in a game, contest, controversy, or the like.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Developing invincibility within one’s self and exploiting vulnerabilities in your adversaries are two key, yet related, concepts necessary in order to achieve victory in almost any situation.

Invincibility

By its very nature, being invincible has both an offensive and a defensive component.

• Becoming invincible, in an offensive sense, gives one the power to attack their enemies, with very little chance of being defeated.
• Becoming invincible, in a defensive sense, gives one the power to withstand virtually any attack from their enemies, with very little chance of being defeated.
• Becoming invincible, in BOTH an offensive and defensive sense, gives one both the power to attack and defend.  That is the most powerful position of all.

This begs the question.  If one is invincible, should they go on the offensive against their vulnerable opponents?

Vulnerability

By its very nature, being vulnerable also has both an offensive and a defensive component.

• Being vulnerable, offensively, means that one better not do much attacking, as they are open to being defeated as a result of having done so.
• Being vulnerable, defensively, is even worse.  In that situation, one is likely to be attacked by an opponent who senses the likelihood of victory against you as a result of having done so.
• The worst situation is one where you are vulnerable, both offensively and defensively.  In that situation, you  have very little likelihood of prevailing in battle.

If you are vulnerable, one should seek to avoid conflict and to build up strength while doing so.

Conflict Is To Be Avoided, Whenever Possible

Sun Tzu’s Art of War stresses the concept that conflict is to be avoided, whenever possible.  Just because your opponent is vulnerable, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should go on the offensive and wipe them out.

Analyze The Future Possibilities To Determine Your Course Of Action

I recommend that one should evaluate their overall situation (and that of their opponents) when determining their future courses of action.

Specifically, if you feel like your vulnerable opponent is not likely to cause you harm in the future, you might be better off leaving them alone and avoiding conflict with them.

On the other hand, if you feel your vulnerable opponent is working toward becoming invincible to the point of posing a likely threat to you in the future, then you should probably go ahead and “take them out” right now, while they are still vulnerable.

Take A Look At Your Situation

While today’s meditation is primarily a military concept, I’d like to once again point out that it applies equally to virtually any situation in your life, both personally and in business.

Take a look at your life situation.  Examine your business situation.  Do you see any situations where the concepts in today’s meditation might be applicable?

If so, you may want to apply a military / strategic analysis to those situations when determining your future courses of action.

Tomorrow’s Meditation

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus a little more on the nature of vulnerability.

Meditation for Sunday – March 28, 2010

Those Who’s Generals Are Able And Not Constrained
By Their Governments Are Victorious.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Those- Used to indicate one or more persons of a group.

Who – Used to indicate which person or persons.

General - A ranking leader, usually in a military organization.

Able - Having necessary power, skill, resources or qualifications.  Qualified.

Constrained – Repressed or restrained.  Forced, compelled, or obliged.

Government- The administrative leadership body of persons in a state, community, etc.  A branch or service of the supreme authority of a state or nation, taken as representing the whole.

Victorious – Conquering, triumphant.  Of, pertaining to, or characterized by victory.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Today’s meditation covers two concepts, both of which are part of a larger overall concept.

Specifically, if one wants to achieve victory (be it military, personal, or within an organization), the organizational leaders (the “generals”) must BOTH:

• Possess the necessary power, skills and resources (they must be “able”); and
• The supreme administrative authority (the “government”) must set these general free and allow them to “do their thing.”

In other words, for any force (be it a military force, a work force, a family force, etc.) to be successful, the force’s leaders must be capable and their administrative leaders must not overly constrain them.

An Example

During the first Persian Gulf War back in 1991, the United State’s military leaders were not allowed to proceed into Iraq and overthrow Saddam Hussein.

While I was not privy to the conversations between the U S military leaders and President George Bush, Sr., I’m sure there was talk of proceeding into Iraq and overthrowing Saddam Hussein.

Instead, the United States “took the high road” and did not take over Iraq.

As a result, the U S leaders (then under the command of President George W. Bush, Jr.) felt the need to launch the second Persian Gulf War, in 2003, as a preemptive strike against Iraq and Saddam Hussein.  The result was overwhelming victory against Saddam Hussein.

In other words, they did in 2003 what some military leaders probably wanted to do all the way back in 1991.

I’ll leave it to you to decide whether or not the first and second Gulf Wars were necessary.  I’m not here to argue politics.

What I am here to do is illustrate a point.  The United States wound up in 2003 exactly where they could have been in 1991, had the military leaders not been constrained.

Once again, I’m not saying whether this is good or bad, I’m just making a point.

Take A Look At Your Situation

Most of us are probably not in the military.  Instead, we are probably part of the work force.  We may be a work force leader, or we may be a subordinate.

You also are probably a part of a family unit.  You may be a family unit leader, or you may be a subordinate.

My question is, are the leaders within your work force, or family unit capable?  If they are capable, are they free to act accordingly, or are they constrained?

If you want to achieve success, I’m suggesting the best results will be achieved by making these leaders as capable as possible and by constraining them as little as possible.

Tomorrow’s Meditation

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus the concepts of invincibility and vulnerability.

Meditation for Saturday – March 27, 2010

Those Who Face The Unprepared
With Preparation Are Victorious.
(Sun Tzu – Art of War)

Those- Used to indicate one or more persons of a group.

Who – Used to indicate which person or persons.

Face - To look toward or in the direction of.  To confront directly.  To confront courageously, boldly or impudently.  To opposed or to meet defiantly.

Unprepared - Not properly expectant, organized or equipped.  Not ready.

Preparation – The state of being ready; of being properly organized or equipped.

Victorious – Having achieved a successful triumph over an enemy in battle or war; conquering. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition or difficulty.

A Mini-Series Of Daily Meditations

Over a two week period, the Daily Meditation series will focus on a key concept from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, namely that of victory.

Sun Tzu is such a popular topic that I figured it was time to reexamine his brilliant masterpiece.

Today’s Meditation

Today’s meditation discusses the need to be ready for the challenges you will face as you go through life.  It also talks about the great advantage one who is prepared has over one who is not prepared.  This not only applies for individuals, but also for organizations.

We have discussed before how resources are finite and how one must use them wisely.

When one is prepared, they are able to use their resources efficiently and wisely.  They are also able to channel those finite resources directly toward the achievement of their goals.

When one is unprepared, chances are their finite resources will not be used in an efficient manner.  Chances are those finite resources will not be used wisely.  Chances are they will not be able to channel those finite resources directly toward the achievement of their goals.

In short, being unprepared leads to waste of one’s finite resources.

Thus, it seems only logical that one who uses their resources wisely has a great advantage over one who does not do so.

Think of your own personal situation.  Think of the organizations of which you are a part. Think of your work organizations. Think of your family unit.

Are your finite resources being used wisely?  Could they be allocated in a better manner?  Are those resources being applied toward the achievement of your goals?

Think of the ways in which you can best allocate those resources and begin to apply them whenever possible.  You will be glad you did.

Tomorrow’s meditation will focus on how groups need to allow their leaders the proper freedom in which to act in order to achieve the goals of the organization.