The treasured lessons learned from practicing the martial arts can be an invaluable asset for business men and women.
Many astute business people have come to appreciate the value in the martial philosophies of the east and west. Quotes like "every battle is won, before it is fought" (Sun Tzu's art of war) or "never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake" (Napoleon Bonapart) are commonly used by business coaches everywhere.
There are numerous parallels between a battlefield and today's business environment. Effective communication, logistical complexities, problem solving and negotiating skills are paramount in both.
Knowing one's enemy, oneself, and the conditions of the environment is crucial in maneuvering tactically through the challenges ahead.
TAKE ACTION
"Don't be an excuse maker, be an action taker"
Martial art training enables the practitioner to stand up against one's fear in order to become a stronger and more confident individual. In your action, lies your potential.
In business, as well as in life, it is important to clarify your goals and visions, leave your comfort zone and fears, test your limits and heroically take action. In taking actions, there will always be risks; however, if you feel you must make a change in life and don't, you will be troubled with regret.
As written by John Greenleaf Whittier: "for all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest of these," it might have been."
In setting out to slay the dragon, you might be eaten, but if you stay safe at home, the dragon may
come eat you anyway.
The consequences of inaction are always as fraught with danger as those of action. The difference is, inaction leaves the individual with a sense of powerlessness and victimhood that does not plague those who choose to act.
As long as you work toward your dream, success in possible. Watch out for the dream breakers, for your dreams are your gifts and should not be subject to the opinions of others. A dream is only a dream, until you have a plan and act upon that plan. Only action can turn your dream into a reality.
KUUKI YOMO (Reading the atmosphere)
Kuuki Yomo or reading the atmosphere is a very important concept in Budo (The way of the warrior) it is a type of heightened awareness. Many of Man's natural senses and instincts have been eroded over time. Reading others intentions or sensing the energy when another enters a room, would have been crucial survival skills in the past. These skills are still valuable today. Properly judging your environment It's a mixture of observation and instinct. An example of this would be, when a professional poker player sits at a gambling table, first he reads the tells. (certain behaviorisms that reveal his opponent's intentions.) Think of how useful this would be in a business meeting. A person's situational awareness heightens during combat or while training for combat. The more you practice the clearer things become. "Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you will be able to see further." (J.P.Morgan)
HITTING THE BULL'S EYE
The lessons learned from practicing archery, shirken jitsu (the art of throwing stars or darts) or firearms are applicable in the business world; these lessons are not only beneficial to the modern business person but may provide opportunities and insights that would otherwise go unseen. The first step in target practice is knowing where the bull's eye is just as the first step in preparing for a business project is to identify your goals. When you first shoot at the bull's eye, you waiver right, left, up and down. When your shot misses you learn to reformulate your action. When a beginner first stares at the bull's eye, it seems extremely hard to hit. The accuracy rate for a novice starts at 30 percent; with practice the novice achieves 40 percent, then 50 percent and continued improvement there after. In order to hit the bull's eye consistently, one must organize one's structure behind one's aim. Aim high, my friend!.
CONCLUSION
In martial arts and business alike, learning new skills is imperative when confronting future challenges. When I was in college, I studied under a psychology professor who taught a concept called integrating new functions. She and her colleagues would constantly engage themselves in new activities like playing an instrument, photography or painting. They felt that by constantly participating in new events would eventually expand their consciousness.
If you don't do something beyond which you have already mastered, you will never grow.
Remember, the key to wisdom is having a flexible mind.
About the Author:
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About the Author: Judd Bank is the President of CPI Investigations and a life long Martial Artist.
http://www.privatedetectiveny.com
