Three Lessons from The Art of War to Hold On to

A warrior mindset might sound like something of an anachronism. Is there really such a thing as warriors during this day and age? Do we actually need to think like one when our biggest challenges tend to involve office deadlines or money management?

The answer is yes. Mental toughness, discipline and motivation are things which will assist you to excel in any aspect of your life no matter the circumstances. These are traits we should all always try to cultivate and that we should actually covet.

If you would like more proof of this theory, then you would like only look to the Art of War. The Art of War may just an ancient text from author Sun Tsu that was written as a military treatise within the 5th Century, however, it couldn't be more relevant today. This book remains recommended for business professionals, lawyers, artists and lots of others due to the relevance of the ideology within. This is considered proof that the warrior mindset is as important today as ever.

So, what can we actually learn from this text in particular? Here are a few of the simplest quotes from the book and a few ideas on what they could be teaching us.

There is No Instance of a Nation Benefiting From Prolonged Warfare

This, essentially explains the folly of war and of the importance of finding quick and actionable steps to resolving our problems. These are both lessons that are still very true today during a variety of scenarios. Prolonged stress is incredibly bad for our physical health and more so for our psychological wellbeing, as a modern example. This pertains to even the quietest of struggles – whether it’s the slow breakdown of a relationship, office politics or where to invest for your kid's college fund.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

So how does one shorten a battle and reduce unnecessary collateral? The most important answer is to plan ahead and to be well prepared. Which brings us to:

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

This is to suggest that one should avoid actual physical confrontation entirely. It’s not my favorite translation however it holds true that you should conserve your resources whenever possible, Avoid damage on either side and maintain the moral high-ground.

Consider Bruce Lee’s ‘art of fighting without fighting’ within the film Enter the Dragon. When you can subdue a situation without struggle, that's an example of being a real warrior, with a Warrior Mindset.

The people who advance are, making swift, actionable decisions without coveting fame and know when to retreat. Doing so without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to guard their family, friends, co-workers, Countrymen, State will reap the benefits of truly owning his outcome.

This lesson describes what it is to possess the warrior’s mindset: be ready to forget your personal whims and wishes and to instead specialize and focus on something greater than yourself. It’s only once you work toward a greater cause, that you can become a greater individual.