Sonshi.com: "Mistakes are a part of life but we can learn from them"
Making mistakes in life is common, a mark of growing up and a passage to maturity. Most mistakes aren't fatal and are lessons in tolerance, creativity, and gratitude. When a boy named James accidentally breaks a leg of his favorite giraffe toy, it is no longer new, but it is still a toy nonetheless. A three-legged giraffe can stand tall just the same as a four-legged one.
Furthermore, when matters are sufficiently in place, despite them not being perfect, we must take action and not be afraid of making mistakes. “The only man who makes no mistakes," Teddy Roosevelt once said, "Is the man who never does anything."
However, there is this other extreme perspective, a philosophy centered on a motivational, shoot now and aim later, "not giving a f---" bent. Not only are mistakes expected, but they are also encouraged, and if necessary, even manufactured. Rich and famous people are often quoted to promote such behavior without context or background.
Furthermore, when matters are sufficiently in place, despite them not being perfect, we must take action and not be afraid of making mistakes. “The only man who makes no mistakes," Teddy Roosevelt once said, "Is the man who never does anything."
However, there is this other extreme perspective, a philosophy centered on a motivational, shoot now and aim later, "not giving a f---" bent. Not only are mistakes expected, but they are also encouraged, and if necessary, even manufactured. Rich and famous people are often quoted to promote such behavior without context or background.
"If one gains victory in battle and is successful in attacks, but does not exploit those achievements, it is disastrous. This is called waste and delay." Sun Tzu's Art of War [12.07]
Sun Tzu indeed advocates speed and gaining a first-mover advantage. But that isn't the same as acting before planning. The people and companies that promote actively making mistakes can usually afford to make mistakes because they have surplus and vast resources. People and companies that are starting out with limited resources following such philosophy will not likely survive. Sound strategies depend on caution.
"No miscalculations mean the victories are certain, achieving victory over those who have already lost." Sun Tzu's Art of War [04.10]
Especially relevant to those from a disadvantaged or precarious situation, Sun Tzu's advice to only fight the battles we can win will ensure we will survive another day and deliberately grow stronger in the process. Without such prudence and given our position or situation, one mistake could be our last. But even if we are strong and in a favorable position, his advice remains beneficial because it prevents us from taking things for granted and allowing a competitor to later gain an upper hand.
"Those skilled in warfare establish positions that make them invincible and do not miss opportunities to attack the enemy." Sun Tzu's Art of War [04.11]
To Sun Tzu, safety comes first, even when he's talking about opportunities. Opportunities come and go, but being careless and impatient could prove fatal. No amount of reward is worth that price.
"Therefore, a victorious army first obtains conditions for victory, then seeks to do battle. A defeated army first seeks to do battle, then obtains conditions for victory." Sun Tzu's Art of War [04.12]
When emotions are high, we can't help but want to get started. While it's possible that we can somehow manage the situation as it happens, it is less likely that we will prevail when our opponent is better prepared for that situation than we are. And since we cannot assume the competition will not be prepared, it is always an unwise decision to enter into an endeavor without planning and practice.
"One who knows when he can fight, and when he cannot fight, will be victorious." Sun Tzu's Art of War [03.18]
If a goal is worthwhile, it would be crazy to not put every ounce of effort and resource into making it a success from start to finish. We read the tedious contracts and manuals from cover to cover. We try to anticipate the possible questions and concerns of others. We go the extra mile to make even a small improvement and impression. With such a hefty investment, we would naturally know whether or not we are ready and able to challenge the competition. It is only when we don't put in the effort would we have the audacity to be reckless because we haven't much to lose. Just as well, because there wouldn't be much to gain.
"A smaller army that is inflexible will be captured by a larger one." Sun Tzu's Art of War [03.12]
Being cautious and conservative doesn't necessarily mean being rigid. To ensure safety, it is always wise to flex with changes in the environment so we don't fall behind the curve and leave ourselves exposed to unnecessary risks. Analogous to Sun Tzu's quote above, only a large tree is strong enough to oppose the wind, but grass and plants need to flex with the wind lest they break.
"To march over a thousand kilometers without becoming distressed, march over where the enemy is not present." Sun Tzu's Art of War [06.05]
"Contemplating the advantages, he fulfills his calculations; contemplating the disadvantages, he removes his difficulties." Sun Tzu's Art of War [08.08]
"On difficult ground, I press on quickly." Sun Tzu's Art of War [11.52]
The leader should be allergic to mistakes as he or she is to entering into difficult situations. There is no glory in prevailing in a tough situation when it could have been prevented in the first place. It is not easy to identify and avoid trouble. We must pay close attention and extrapolate the significant effects from the seemingly insignificant causes. In other words, we strive to alleviate frowns so that wars could not take root. All the while, we conserve energy, build strength, and most importantly, we don't create unnecessary grief and suffering for ourselves and those around us.
"An army does not have constant force or have constant formation. Those who are able to adapt and change in accord with the enemy and achieve victory are called divine." Sun Tzu's Art of War [06.35]
"Do not thwart an enemy retreating home. If you surround the enemy, leave an outlet; do not press an enemy that is cornered." Sun Tzu's Art of War [07.26]
Alexander Pope wrote in An Essay on Criticism, “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” Sun Tzu's benevolence is doubly sharp. On one side is a wisdom so impervious that failure is practically impossible; there is no discussion on how to cope with failure in the entire Art of War book because it is a given one does not fail if the principles are truly followed. On the other side is a wisdom so spiritual that failure for the competition is also impossible; the winner is divinely chosen to take care of All-Under-Heaven, even for those who oppose you. There are no enemies, since no one can compare to your strength in force, fortitude, or philosophy.
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