How many times have you been in situations where you felt the need to go apocalyptic concerning an idea or a point of view?
And I refer (as I often do) to both our personal and business lives.
Does this scenario sound familiar? You know you are right. They are idiots for not listening to you. In fact, worse than idiots. The discussion gets heated – or not…passive/aggressive – and you go away pissed off; ready to kill; muttering about “their” lack of intelligence, taste, style; not sure of what to do; on the verge of throwing it all away…
You get the picture.
So here’s the thing – was it worth it? Really?
How black and white was the argument? There must have been some value in the other side of the issue? Was risking it all what you wanted to do, and was the discussion significant enough to warrant a dice toss?
Listen:
“Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not quite clear to him.”
My sense is that when we really think about it; when we really understand the total stakes – for all – there is little worth doing the “Light Brigade Charge” for. Yes, it makes for great poetry, okay movies, and excellent tales for a cold winter night in a good (or cheap) bar – but has it really moved your life or your business to any place new and exciting.
Personally? I like to keep my powder dry for the big fight; the one that really makes a difference; the one that is about serious principles and beliefs; where ethics, morality—real ideology—come into play. If I’m going to fall on my sword – it better be damn worth it!
Seppuku? Or live to fight another day?
Your view?
Right on David. You only really get one chance to fall on the sword, so it better be worth it. In the inspiration of a Bond film, I’ll “Die Another Day.”
love the reference — for the record
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1033q_madonna-james-bond-die-another-day_music
I say pick your battles. Sometimes you win and then what? Nothing, thats what? and you have go to store and buy more powder for the next time!
Dr. Letitia Wright
The Wright Place TV Show
http://wrightplacetv.com
http://www.twitter.com/drwright1
and then they run out of powder…
Of course it’s sensible to avoid trivial or futile battles, especially when there’s a cost, of engaging, and little benefit from winning.
Of course it’s sensible, too to fight for the battles that matter.
However you have to be in shape and know how to judge the battles.
If you avoid all battles except the biggy, you have had no practice and little experience, and you will lose!
It’s no use having plenty of dry powder and not knowing what to do with it when you need to use it.
Tom.
now that is an interesting thought — and there is soem precedent for it in history — but why not create a simulator….
Simulators are good for assessing scenarios and risk, and keeping damage down. They are as good as the assumptions that they are built from. They help maintain an edge.
One weakness of simulators in “war games” roles is that the lack the human element. It’s hard to take them as seriously as the real think, and the adrenalin is different. But something is better than nothing…
Tom.
What I try to keep in mind is even a broken clock is right two times a day and what your “nemesis” is saying might actually be one of those times.
I really thank to one who wrote this article. I have always been reading and writing texts like this in blogs. Also, I, as a daily writer, present my respects to everyone. I just watched videos like this in youtube. I research in all areas.
I think people must first research before writing….