Victory is often determined before the battle even begins. Preparation is key, Sun Tzu emphasizes this throughout his teachings. <ul><li>Understand your strengths & weaknesses </li><li>Recognize the strengths & weaknesses of your opponent</li><li>Use environmental factors to gain the upper hand</li></ul>

Victory Requires Preparation

The actions of a strong leader should align with the expectations they set for the team. When they lead this way, they foster trust and respect from their followers which encourages them to act the same.

Lead By Example

Sun Tzu believed that flexibility is the most important principle in war, and that a successful military leader must be able to adapt to changing circumstances. Adaptability is a strategic advantage that can lead to victory, while an inappropriate or non-existent application can lead to chaos and distrust.

Adapt To Overcome

Understanding your opponents past actions will provide an understanding of their future actions. The same can be said for your own. Viewing your past setbacks as valuable lessons allows for growth and improvement in future endeavors.

Learn From Experience

"There's not a dated maxim or vague prescription in it." — Newsweek Regarded as the world's oldest military treatise, this compact volume has instructed officers and tacticians for more than 2,000 years. From its origins in China, The Art of War traveled the world to inform the strategies of Napoleon and World War II generals. More recently, it has taken on a new life as a guide to competing successfully in business, law, and sports. All of The Art of War's concepts retain their value to modern readers, from the prudence of circumventing a strong opponent and taking advantage of a weak one to the wisdom of preparedness and flexibility. Other topics include strategy, tactics, maneuvering, communications, the treatment of soldiers, and the worth of well-trained officers. History enthusiasts, business thought leaders, and anyone intrigued by competition and rivalry will appreciate this elegant edition of the classic work.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

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Learning & Education

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Books

Sun Tzu (孫子; pinyin: Sūnzǐ) is a honorific title bestowed upon Sūn Wu (孫武 c. 544-496 BC), the author of The Art of War (孫子兵法), an immensely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Sun Tzu believed in the use of the military sciences to effect outcomes that would result in peace.In the author's name, Sūn Wu, the character wu, meaning "military", is the same as the character in wu shu, or martial art. Sun Wu also has a courtesy name, Chang Qing (Cháng Qīng).

Sun Tzu

The Art of War

All things big or small, positive or negative, serve a purpose in this life. Appreciate it all & learn what you can from it.<ul><li>We have to be prepared for change, he thought, and he was grateful for the jacket’s weight and warmth. The jacket had a purpose, and so did the boy.</li></ul>

Everything & Everyone Has Purpose

If you truly want something you shouldn’t let anything stand in your way of it. You choose what you prioritize & whether or not you achieve them<ul><li>“Once you get into the desert, there’s no going back. And when you can’t go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward.”</li></ul>

Commit To Your Goals

While en route to your accomplishing your goals, there is much to be learned along the way. Enjoy the process, all of the hardships & success that comes with it.<ul><li>“When I have been truly searching for my treasure, every day has been luminous, because I’ve known that every hour was a part of the dream that I would find it. When I have been truly searching for my treasure, I’ve discovered things along the way that I never would have seen had I not had the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve.”</li></ul>

The Journey Is Greater Than The Destination

It will work out whether you reach your goal or the goal shifts, it is meant to be. You have universal power in determining your outcome, what happens was always going to happen.<ul><li>”When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”</li></ul>

You Will Be What You Are Meant To Be

A few of my takeaways from The Alchemist along with direct quotes from the book.

A special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho.Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations.Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. Santiago's journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life's path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

mindfulness

Mindfulness

mentalhealth

Mental Health

Paulo Coelho de Souza is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002. His novel The Alchemist became an international best-seller and he has published 30 more books since then.

Paulo Coelho

The Alchemist

Whether you just had the best day of your life or the worst day, it will pass. Recognizing that is the first step to finding inner peace. <ul><li>Take good news in stride and do not let it change who you are. </li><li>Bad news brings negative emotions, which is okay however do not let it consume you. </li></ul>The Takeaway: Nothing good or bad lasts forever.

I - This Too Shall Pass

There is very little beyond your own being that you can control.<ul><li>I CAN control: my actions, how I speak to myself, my boundaries, my goals</li><li>I CAN NOT control: the future, the opinions of others, the actions of others, what happens around me</li></ul>You have the power to take ownership of the aspects in your life that you can change, and accept the things that you can’t change. The Takeaway: If you can’t control it, it can’t control you.

II - Control What You Can Control

You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you have great power.

Do not spend time thinking of the past, unless it has implications on now. Having intent focus and being present has power. <ul><li>The Past: Can not be changed, it can only be learned from. Take the lesson and move on</li><li>The Future: Can not be altered until it has arrived (in the present) so considering “What if” is unnecessary. </li></ul>The Takeaway: This current moment is the most important one.

III - You Live In Now

Our minds are powerful things. They can act as our greatest ally or our worst enemy. It's all about the way we use them. When we learn to cultivate a positive mindset by focusing on the good, we start to develop our inner peace.<ul><li>How to cultivate a positive mindset: Journal what you are excited for each day or think what good came out of past negative experiences.</li></ul>The takeaway: Your viewpoint & feeling creates the experience.

IV - Positive Mindset Breeds A Positive Experience

Finding beauty all around you is key to finding inner peace. Spending time in nature, with friends or family, at work, even in traffic, there is beauty there. Being alive on Earth is beautiful. Being able to experience what you experience is beautiful. Enjoy it as it is. The Takeaway: Life is so good, enjoy it.

V - Bask In Your Surroundings

The good or ill of man lies within his own will

The Art of War

The Alchemist

How to Find Peace

Dante Foster