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Nobody is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes; however, some mistakes can lead to serious problems.
How to avoid making mistakes, then?
Despite this reality, it's important not to let the fear of making mistakes prevent you from chasing your dreams, whether that's starting a new business or embarking on a major career change.
So, How To Avoid Making Mistakes by Using Sun Tzu Art Of War Philosophy?
Let's explore the wise teachings from The Art of War philosophy by Sun Tzu.
This is what Sun Tzu quoted at the beginning of Chapter 1,
The Art Of War is of vital importance to the State. It is a situation of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin; it is a subject of inquiry that needs to be studied carefully.
During Sun Tzu's era, every decision in the art of warfare had to be studied carefully, as any misstep could be extremely costly, affecting not only the lives of soldiers but also the livelihoods of the people and resulting in significant damage to property.
Many individuals today tend to overlook the importance of thoroughly analyzing their decisions. They frequently rely on emotions, intuition, and passion rather than conducting a comprehensive evaluation before making choices.
This tendency to make hasty decisions often contributes to their failures. It is typically only after encountering setbacks that people come to realize the impact of their poor decision-making.
That is why Sun Tzu says
Those who do not understand the damages of war cannot thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it.
The primary reason mistakes occur is that individuals fail to recognize or disregard the potential accidents or damages that may arise from their decisions regarding a specific task or venture.
Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of understanding the consequences, including potential damages, losses, or mistakes, before making a decision.
In warfare, many people focus on the rewards of victory: more land, wealth, and recognition. However, it’s crucial to consider what happens if you lose the war.
By understanding the potential damages or losses, you can better assess how to benefit from your decisions.
Sun Tzu encourages you to grasp the possible damages before deciding or planning your strategy for victory.
For example,
If you're considering opening a coffee shop, it's important to identify potential challenges to avoid mistakes in your business venture. Before you make any decisions, ask yourself the following questions:
- What if very few customers enter my new shop?
- What if the rent increases?
- Do I have enough cash reserves to keep the shop running until business improves?
- How can I attract more customers to my coffee shop?
- What if I fail? What will I do then?
To enhance the likelihood of business success, it's important to proactively identify potential challenges and risks. By brainstorming all possible pitfalls, you can evaluate the profitability of your venture more accurately, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.
This strategic approach not only minimizes errors but also significantly increases the chances of achieving success.
The Art Of War is not all about fighting; it emphasizes a lot on assessing, planning, forecasting, and measuring options before execution.
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