Episode 31: Defining Our Own Greatest Victories

In Chapter 4.3 of Sunzi’s Art of War we read:

見勝, 不過眾人之所知, 非善之善者也。戰勝, 而天下曰善, 非善之善者也。故舉秋毫, 不為多力; 見日月, 不為明目; 聞雷霆, 不為聰耳。古之善戰者, 勝于易勝者; 故善戰者之勝也, 無智名, 無勇功。故其戰勝不忒, 不忒者, 其措必勝, 勝已敗者也。故善戰者, 立于不敗之地,
而不失敵之敗也。是故勝兵先勝, 而後求戰; 敗兵先戰, 而後求勝。

Envisioning a victory that does not surpass what the masses already know is going to happen (i.e. everyone already knows you are going to win) is not the greatest of all victories.  Fighting for a victory, even when the whole world says it is just, is not the greatest of all victories.  Therefore, lifting up a velvety autumn hare is no feat of strength; being able to see the sun and moon doesn’t mean you have perceptive eyes; being able to hear the peal of thunder doesn’t mean you have keen ears.  Of old those who exceled in combat conquered the easily conquerable; therefore, the victories of those who exceled in combat did not have wise reputations or courageous feats of accomplishment.  Thus, their victories in battle were because they didn’t make mistakes due to doubt.  Being free from mistakes, they amassed guaranteed victories – victories over the already defeated.  Therefore, those who excel at warfare, having established themselves in an undefeatable position, don’t lose out on defeating their enemies.  For this reason, victorious troops first conquer and then seek battle; defeated troops first seek battle and then seek victory.

From this passage I have extracted seven principles achieving our own greatest victories in life.  They are:

1. Envision A Personal Victory that Surpasses the Norm!

2. Fight for What You Want, Not What Everyone Else Says is Best for You!

3. Don’t Settle for Being the Big Fish in a Little Pond

4. The Greatest Personal Victory can be the Accumulation of Little Victories

5. It Doesn’t Take Extreme Wisdom or Bravery to Get Started – Just Stop Doubting Yourself!

6. Put Yourself in an Undefeatable Position and Don’t Miss Out on Your Opportunities to Win!

7. First Become Victorious and then Go to War!

This week we are going to talk about the first four, which speak to defining our own greatest victories and what those look like in our lives.  Then, next week we’re going to discuss the last three, which focus on execution – how we actually get there.

1. Envision A Personal Victory that Surpasses the Norm!

Envision more for yourself and your own personal victory than what everyone else sees for you.  Don’t just settle for what everyone else says can be achieved. Go beyond! Each one of us has a personal path, an intuitive calling and direction that we feel deep down inside of our bones, and it is one that surpasses what the world, society, or the masses can know for us. 

2. Fight for What You Want, Not What Everyone Else Says is Best for You!

At the end of the day, you must find your own way. No one knows your hopes, dreams, and aspirations better than you. No one has experienced the pain of your fears, doubts, and lies more intimately than you have! To thine own self be true, walk your path and see it through.

3. Don’t Settle for Being the Big Fish in a Little Pond!

In numerous passages in the Art of War, Sunzi talks about taking the easy wins, plucking the low-hanging fruit, and gaining confidence and momentum. At the same time, the message that Sunzi is trying to convey is not to become overconfident because of those easy victories. We were not meant to live in a small, shallow pool, hoping and waiting for the river of life to bring us our survival and sustenance, but to swim in the deep ocean.  So why settle?  Why be content being a big fish in a little pond, when the ocean awaits your arrival?

4. The Greatest Personal Victory can be the Accumulation of Little Victories

Our greatest victories in life don’t have to be (and most cases probably won’t and maybe even should not be) a single major accomplishment – that one gigantic win! Rather, balancing not settling and dreaming big – by having a grand overarching and ambitious strategy with a tactical approach that emphasizes the little things.  A massive victory in war is comprised of winning lots of little battles and skirmishes along the way.

Previous Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

Defining your own greatest victory: Episode 1 “What’s Your Big Deal?  What Are You Fighting For?”

Saying “Yes” to your soul yearnings: Episode 17 “Three Principles for Achieving the Ultimate (Personal) Victory in Life!”

Visualizing the value of the victory: Episode 10 “Sunzi’s Five Full Send Commitment Tactics for When We Hit the Wall.”

Raising the bar on your beliefs: Episode 9 “What it Going to Cost Me?”

For more information, tools, and resources to help you in your daily battles, for questions or to work with us, shoot us an email at artofwarforlife@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Art of War for Life Facebook page and @artofwarforlife.

The views expressed in this podcast are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force Academy, the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. Thank you.