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

Law #36

Position Yourself To Be Flexible

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it. (Lao Tzu)

Some Definitions

Nothing - Something that is nonexistent. Something or someone of no importance or significance. Something that is without quantity or magnitude.

World - The earth or a part of it, with its inhabitants, affairs, etc., during a particular period. Humankind; the human race; humanity. Everything that exists; the universe; the macrocosm.

More - In greater quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number. Additional or further. An additional quantity, amount, or number. A greater quantity, amount, or degree.

Flexible - Susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable. Willing or disposed to yield; pliable. Responsive to change; adaptable.

Yielding - Inclined to give in; submissive; compliant. Tending to give way, esp. under pressure; flexible; supple; pliable. To give way to pressure or force.

Water - A transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid, a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, H₂O, freezing at 32°F or 0°C and boiling at 212°F or 100°C, that in a more or less impure state constitutes rain, oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.: it contains 11.188 percent hydrogen and 88.812 percent oxygen, by weight.

Attacks - To start work on with purpose and vigor. To set upon with violent force. To criticize strongly or in a hostile manner. The act or an instance of attacking; an assault.

Firm - Not soft or yielding when pressed; comparatively solid, hard, stiff, or rigid. Securely fixed in place. Not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable. Steadfast or unwavering, as persons or principles.

Strong -Aggressive; willful. Having powerful means to resist attack, assault, or aggression. Especially able, competent, or powerful in a specific field or respect. Of great moral power, firmness, or courage. Powerful in influence, authority, resources, or means of prevailing or succeeding.

None - Not any, as of something indicated. To no extent; in no way; not at all.

Withstand - To stand in opposition; resist. To stand or hold out against; resist or oppose, esp. successfully.

Change -To make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone. To transform or convert.

Overcome -To get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer. To prevail over. To gain the victory; win; conquer.

Adamant - Utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion in spite of all appeals, urgings, etc.. Too hard to cut, break, or pierce.

Forceful -Full of force; powerful; vigorous; effective. Acting or driven with force.

Everyone - Every person; everybody.

Know - To perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty. To be cognizant or aware of.

Source: Dictionary.com

What Do I Mean By Position Yourself To Be Flexible?

Don’t be rigid. Don’t be fixed. Don’t be stubborn. Be open to the possibility of change. Be adaptable.

What Does This Quote Suggest?

The water in the quote is merely an example. It is meant to provide an example of the power of flexibility.

The quote starts about by saying nothing is more flexible or yielding than water. Nothing is more response to change. Nothing is more adaptable. Nothing is more willing to give way when force is applied against it.

BUT, despite the fact it is both flexible and yielding, nothing can withstand its attack. Not the most rigid, not the most powerful.

That which is willing to adapt, that which is willing to bend, that which is open and receptive to change will prevail over that which is unyielding.

THEN, HERE’S THE KICKER.

Everybody understands this concept, but no one can follow it. In other words, it’s an easy concept to understand, but a hard one to apply.

The Power Of Flexibility

Personally, I believe that the ability to be flexible may be one of the greatest skills anyone can cultivate or possess.

All too often, I have encountered individuals who have what I refer to as “tunnel vision”.  They refuse to see things through another person’s eyes.  To them, their point of view is the only correct one and nobody else’s point of view could possibly be correct.

In my opinion, the most powerful people are those who are tolerant of other’s ideas.  They are open to listening to other people’s opinions.  They may or may not agree, but they try not to condemn others for their beliefs (unless it is absolutely necessary).

In other words, they are being as flexible as water.