Sun Tzu wrote of creating a ‘death ground’ — a place where an army is backed up against some geographical feature like a mountain, a river, or a forest and has no escape route.
Without a way to retreat an army fights with double or triple the spirit it would have on open terrain, because death is viscerally present. Sun Tzu advocated deliberately stationing soldiers on death ground to give them the desperate edge that makes men fight like the devil.
It’s time for you to create your death ground.
Yes, back yourself into a mountain, in fact, back yourself into a mountain full of dry trees and light that mountain on fire. This way you have no choice but to advance.
At first you can admire the great spectacle that is the flames. But as it grows you will begin to feel the heat. The flames rise and you are left with a choice.
Do I stand here and die or do I fight my way through the other side?
Look we all are on a slow path to death. Grim isn’t it? Your slowly dying…
It’s either you choose to place your back against the wall or you choose to live a life that does push you to your outer limits.
People change their behavior only if they have too.
We are creatures of habit. We get into the daily grind. When our situation is relaxed or the same daily grind we fall prey to this self replicating nonsense.
Creating a sense of urgency, immediate urgency will break this spell.
Act Before You Are Ready
One of the best ways to put your back against the wall is to take action before you are ready. Now this doesn’t mean to just go and jump off a cliff with out a safety net. Sometimes it is better to act before you think you are ready.
When you do this you will find that will be more resourceful in your efforts. Under pressure your creativity will flourish.
What To Do Now
Take some time right now to do a little planning around what can propel yourself or your business to the next level. Think this through a little then ask yourself…
What can you do that creates your personal Death Ground?
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Hi Scott,
I understand what you are trying to say and you have a very valid point, we have to come to terms with the fear factor and bring in a new perspective on how change affects our lives in a positive manner.
In my opinion, “no more war”, it is only through increasing the love for all our sovereign brothers and sisters that will allow a new paradigm to come in to effect. The 6 heart virtues: compassion, forgiveness, valor, appreciation, understanding and humility, instead of the competition and jealousy that leads to division and isolation.
I present this as “food for thought”, as I love discussion!
Great day to you!
best
Vic
Great point Scott! If we don’t start moving forward today, tomorrow might be too late!
Great stuff, Scott.
It’s like the Vikings who would burn the boats when they landed so the troops would see that there was no escape route and fight to the death. Back then capture wasn’t a pleasant thing. I’ve done this in my life and it’s tough, but luckily I have a practice like Kundalini Yoga, which helps balance things when the fighting gets fierce. Great article. Thank You.
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