Sun Tzu

    Sun Tzu the Art of War

    At its heart, it is a study of the anatomy of conflict and competition in every form, as relevant to the battlefield as to interpersonal and international relations.

    Sun Tsu opportunity in chaos

    If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

    Sun Tzu Philosophy

    Much of Sun Tzu’s philosophy teachings revolve around the concept that victory without direct fighting is the most advantageous way to win. Part of attaining this type of battle-free victory involves five traits of successful military operations: the Way, the weather, the terrain, the leadership, and discipline. 
    The Way, an integral part of Sun Tzu’s philosophy, describes the harmonious relationship between the government and civilian populace. When governments treat their people fairly and with respect, the people will be loyal and more apt to support government decisions when conflict arises. People will also be more willing to join in the conflict if they believe in the government they will be tasked to defend. 
    The weather means the literal seasons and conditions of whatever environment in which the battle will be waged. Certain weather conditions are not conducive for a military campaign. For instance, both winter and summer encompass dangerous conditions, such as blizzards or droughts, that can hinder the advancement, safety, health, and sustenance of a troop. 
    The terrain relates to the “lay of the land,” meaning the geographical and physical factors of certain types of terrain. These factors make a parcel of land either advantageous or disadvantageous for advancement or battle. Factors to consider include distance to be travelled, the layout of the terrain and accompanying effort required to cross it, the size of the land, and safety and dangers encompassed in the geography. 
    The leadership describes the acuity and competence of the person charged with leading a fighting force. A good leader should be intelligent, trustworthy, humane, courageous, and stern. When all of these factors are at play, the leader is capable of making sound decisions and can count on the people to support them. 
    Discipline relates to the structure and organization of the personnel hierarchy. Determining who is best suited for high-ranking roles, who is capable of being brave, and who is weaker than the others is as important in determining a strong strategy as supplies are for the health of the troops. Discipline is an important theme throughout Sun Tzu’s philosophy. 

    Becoming better is not simply a matter of willpower or work ethic. It’s also a matter of strategy. What people assume is a lack of willpower or an unwillingness to change is often a consequence of trying to build good habits in bad environments.

    Fight Battles You Are Destined to Win

    -If you’re very overweight, don’t try to follow a workout program for college athletes. You can get there eventually, but   that’s not a battle you need to fight right now. Start with a manageable change.

    -If you're trying to eat healthy in a house filled with sweets and sugar, then remove unhealthy products out of your house   first.

    -If you’re surrounded by people who tear down your goals, then work on your projects in a different location or reach out 
     to like-minded people.

    -If you are trying to read more books, don’t do it in a room filled with video games, Netflix, and a television. 
     Move to a less distracting environment.

    It sounds simple, but how often do you find yourself fighting difficult battles and ignoring easy ones? There is plenty of time to fight the difficult battles. Win the easy battles first.

    The Battle for Better Habits

    Too often, we try to build new habits, achieve big goals, and otherwise “win at life” through sheer force. We fight our battles directly and attack the enemy—in this case, our bad habits—at the point where they are strongest.

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