One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when it is abundant. — Sun Tzu
We all find ourselves in situations where no matter what we do, we can’t make the progress we want to make. Maybe it’s because our strengths aren’t adequate for the task or the difficulties of the situation seem to exploit our weaknesses. Either way, we are stuck. If we continue fighting in this scenario, we’ll end up with years of wasted effort and relatively little to show for it.
If you find yourself in this situation, the best move you can make is to channel your energy outside of this situation. You have to look for another battle, a winnable battle, where you can make the fullest use of your greatest strengths. Find a battle that has opportunities and vulnerabilities that your strengths can easily exploit; you will achieve considerably more in a shorter span of time.
As you achieve more success in this new venture, you will gain more power, money, knowledge, or whatever else you have to gain from excelling in this endeavor. With this added strength, you might be able to resolve the original predicament that was causing you so much hardship. Or it may be most beneficial to retreat from the situation entirely to place yourself in a position of greater competitive advantage.
Regardless, the lesson is clear: when you find yourself in an unwinnable situation where all of your actions are of little use, go on the defensive instead to conserve your energy and resources. Go on the offensive elsewhere where your strengths will make the most impact.
Not only is this path easier but you will get more done in a shorter amount of time. You will achieve more by only choosing the battles in life that you can actually win.
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious. — Sun Tzu
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In what ways will you focus on your strengths in the coming year? You’re more than welcome to share your thoughts in the comments.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Tim, your post points out how important it is to know ourselves. When we do, we can avoid the situations that drain our resources needlessly. It’s impossible to be in a state of flow if we are busy banging our heads against the wall.
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..Optimism and the Spirit of Renewal
Exactly, Jonathan. Why focus on a situation where our strengths don’t do any good when we could instead place ourselves in a situation where are strengths make a huge impact? It’s easy to overlook this simple truth but it can be incredibly life-changing if put into practice.
Word; I can dig it. Solid, brotha
Best in 2010!
–AhM
Ahmad Majid´s last blog ..Ether_Comm: LOL. They tried to take me to rehab/I said noo, noo, no. Rough night, huh? Walk it off–>RT @JLaPuma *Checks into rehab*
Thanks, Ahmad. You da man.
Hey Tim, your post is excellent and got me thinking…
…about the number of times I have persisted when in retrospect I would have been better off taking your advice, backing off and regrouping.
The problem has been however that my ‘win at all costs’ ego got in the way and overrode sensible logic.
This of course costs me in the long run. Thanks for the gentle jolt. It’s something I will focus on in the New Year.
Best to you, Robin
Robin Dickinson´s last blog ..How to instantly upgrade yourself to a best-ever you
Robin, I think most people let their ego and their emotions override their sensible logic all the time. Even I have those moments though I try to make myself more aware of when that happens. Thankfully, as I get older, I let go of my ego and my negative emotions more and more when I form judgments and make decisions.
Thanks for stopping by, Robin.
Hi Tim,
I am new to your blog and want to compliment you for the inspirational resources you have compiled for your readers.
Your post beautifully highlights the importance of having a flexible approach to achieving one’s goals. This is also what good leadership is about – knowing in which situations to lead and in which ones, allowing to be led so that we may learn and work on strengthening our weaknesses.
Best wishes,
Rani
Rani Bora´s last blog ..The Gift of Forgiveness – a Must for Living Well!
Thank you, Rani. That was very well said.
well said tim,
Happy new year!!!
i’m a firm believer in moving from simple to complex issues. we shouldn’t retreat only because it’s difficult and not one of our strengths, but sometimes we shouldn’t be there in the first place. we create unnecessary anxiety for ourselves by delving into things which have no bearings with who we are.
ayo´s last blog ..20 Ways To Build Resilience
Exactly, Ayo. For example, Donald Trump wouldn’t have gone nearly as far in life if he pursued a career in computer programming instead of real estate. Our strengths tell us a lot about what we should do with our lives.
Hey Tim, I love the quotes from the art of war you used. It’s an intelligent post that got me thinking about the decisive decisions that we sometimes make. It’s not got to make them at a time when we’re feeling disempowered as we’re not likely to make good ones. When you make them when empowered the decisions will carry more power and will be more likely to stick. Thanks Tim!
Amit Sodha – The Power Of Choice´s last blog ..Why It’s Pointless Going To University To Get A Degree
Great point, Amit. I’m sure your experience doing stand-up comedy has made that lesson crystal clear for you.