Episode 34: Sunzi’s Timeless Top Secret Formula for Success: Five Steps to Accomplish (Almost) Anything!

The second half of Chapter 4.4 of Sunzi’s Art of War reads: 

兵法: 一曰度, 二曰量, 三曰數, 四曰稱, 五曰勝; 地生度, 度生量, 量生數, 數生稱, 稱生勝。

The Art of War is: First, survey for scale; second, calculate [combat] capabilities; third, estimate numbers; fourth, assess relative strength; fifth, conquer.  Surveying the landscape produces the scale [required for successful engagement], the scale produces the calculation of [needed combat] capabilities, the capabilities produce the estimate of [necessary] numbers, numbers produce the assessment of relative strength, and the assessment produces the conquest of victory.

In this passage, Sunzi breaks the “Art of War” into five concrete actions to achieve victory. In applying these in our own lives, I have turned them into five steps to accomplish (almost) anything.  They are: 

1. 度: Where Do You Want to Go?  Survey the Landscape and Find Your Angle
2. 量: What’s it Going to Take?  Determine the Scale and Critical Capabilities
3. 數: How Much is Needed?  Calculate the Cost & Crunch the Numbers
4. 稱: Is it Worth it?  Assess & Weigh Our Options
5. 勝: Battle On to Victory: Reach for the Stars

1. 度: Where Do You Want to Go?  Survey the Landscape and Find Your Angle

Sunzi’s first step to accomplish anything is to survey the landscape, to be honest with ourselves and our starting point. Only then can we plot a course from where we are to where we want to be.  In surveying the landscape and finding our angle, we can calculate how far we need to go and what challenges and opportunities the terrain we must cross may present.

Once we have determined our destination, we can turn our attention to brainstorming the various different ways we can get there, our approach to the summit, our angle of attack based on our own gifts and resources, experiences and expertise.

2. 量: What’s it Going to Take?  Determine Scale and Critical Capabilities

The second action is to determine the scale and calculate needed capabilities. By acknowledging where we are in relation to where we want to go allows us to accurately calculate what it is going to take in terms of resources to get us there. 

For example, the scale of losing 50 pounds is significantly more than losing 5.  The former will require more time, energy, resources, and lifestyle adjustments than the latter.  The scale of earning an additional $100K is different than earning an additional $1,000.  That is why determining the scale is critical.  Going “Big” or going home are NOT the only two options available to us.

3. 數: How Much is Needed? Calculate the Cost & Crunch the Numbers

The third step to accomplish (almost) anything is to calculate the cost and crunch the numbers –  to figure out how much the effort is going to cost us in terms of required resources including time, energy, and/or money.  For any endeavor to be successful we have to do our due diligence and run the numbers.

4. 稱: Is it Worth it?  Assess and Weigh Our Options

Sunzi’s fourth step to accomplishing almost anything is to assess and weigh our options – or in other words, to determine if it is worth it?

Once we have come up with a clear vision of where we want to go and determined what resources and capabilities we need to get there, once we have crunched the numbers and calculated the cost, then we can make an honest and effective assessment of whether or not we are prepared to make the attempt, have the time, energy, and resources to commit to the endeavor, whether the timing is right, and what our odds are at achieving success.

5. 勝: Battle On to Victory: Reach Up & Reach Out

Sunzi’s fifth and final step to accomplishing (almost) anything is to battle on to victory.

Victory may not come the first time.  We may not (and probably won’t) win on our initial attempt.  It may take some time, energy, and effort.  However, victory comes to those who keep reaching for it. Victory is not reserved for the extraordinary few but for those who dare to persist, who refuse to surrender in the face of adversity, and who keep the flame of hope burning, even in the darkest nights.

As we embark on our journeys through life, armed with wisdom – the arrow of applied knowledge, we need to regular survey the shifting landscape around us, get our bearings, find our angle, figure out what is required to get where we want to go, calculate the costs, crunch the numbers, and make the investments in ourselves.  Then we regularly assess our progress and keep battling until we win!

Previous Episodes Referenced in this Episode:

Starting Where We Are: Episode 2 “Look in the MIRROR!  You are in Charge!”

Leveraging the Landscape and Our “Why” is Our Way Forward: Episode 3 “Sunzi’s Five Strategic Success Factors”

Calculating Costs: Episode 9 “What’s it Going to Cost Me?  Sunzi’s Three-fold Questions to Ask Before We Act!  Calculating the Cost and Committing to Accomplish.”

Due Diligence: Episode 11 “The Art of Getting Stuff Done: Sunzi’s Three Tactics for Effective Execution!”

Lake Powell and the etymology of sheng 勝: Episode 10 “Sunzi’s Five Full Send Commitment Tactics for When We Hit the Wall”

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.