Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

I Can Control Myself; I Can’t Control the Other Guy

I Can Control Myself; I Can’t Control the Other Guy

A lot of people confuse power with control. Power is the product of my work over time; control is my ability to direct particular thoughts and actions. One of the best lessons I’ve learned over 20 plus years as a martial artist is this: I can develop my own power, I can develop self-control; what the other guy does is usually up to him!

In fact, to physically control an opponent, it’s necessary to understand how to use that opponents intentions and force against him. With expert timing, you can take a forceful attack and re-direct the force toward a lock, a throw or for greater impact in a strike. Still, it’s very difficult to compel the enemy to a specific angle or moment of attack; those factors are largely up to him.

So, what can I do?

Just like the Boy Scouts have always said: “Be Prepared!”

I can always control what I’m doing to prepare myself to face coming challenges and adversities. I can always control when I’m going to prepare; and that time is always now. In business, we should always be engaged in constant preparation, learning and development. Times may be good now, but every business person knows that hard times can come at any time. The time to make ready for the tough times is right now.

You can’t control what the competition is doing, but you can schedule time and assign resources to fortify a strong position and prepare for contingencies. The best time to do this is not when the proverbial &*$% is hitting the fan, but when you’re operating from a position of relative peace and security.

"So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked." Sun Tzu from “The Art of War”

It is difficult to predict market changes and competition strategies with complete accuracy. We must be constantly engaged in the process of developing our resources and our power to be in the best position to respond when the situation calls us to action.

Thanks to SonShi.com for permission to use translations from “The Art of War.” I highly recommend their complete course in the application of Sun Tzu’s philosophy translated for business strategy. You’ll receive a daily translation in bite-size pieces, just like the one above, with commentary. Go to www.SonShi.com for details.





I Can Control Myself I Cant Control the Other Guy - To learn more about this author, visit Jim Bouchard's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Jim Bouchard
(Visit Jim's Website)

Jim Bouchard teaches you how to Think Like a Black Belt for personal and professional excellence! Jim is a speaker, coach and author of Think Like a Black Belt and Dynamic Components of Personal POWER!

Black Belt Mindset means discipline, balance, focus, self-motivation and a commitment to continual improvement. Jim will teach everyone in your organization to Think Like a Black Belt to reach full individual potential and optimal organizational performance!

Book Jim for your next conference, meeting, convention or other event! Call 800-786-8502 or visit http://JimBouchard.org< /a>!



Jim Bouchard is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
Power Play - Jim Bouchard is author and founder of Dynamic Components of Personal Power, and the founder of Northern Chi Martial Arts Centers. Jim combines his experience as a professional martial artist, entrepreneur and speaker to share his philosophy on power for personal and professional success.
Power Play
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Jim Bouchard's

Complete
List Of
Small-Business-Consulting
Articles

Name
Email
Author's Free Downloads
New Year Revolutions Icon New Year Revolutions

More Jim Bouchard
The Value of Effective Leadership
The Importance of Mentors
Get Outside
The Death of CertaintyI Think
$759 Billion Wasted Each Year
When to Fold Em
Politics in the Office
There is No Secret
Networking Power
Turnovers Takeaways
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Stephanie Robey  
John Brennan  
Cheryl Matthynssens  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Valley of Death Icon Valley of Death
Goal Setting Icon Goal Setting
Entrepreneur Flight Manual Icon Entrepreneur Flight Manual
Workplace Violence Icon Workplace Violence
Inspiration Business Plan Icon Inspiration Business Plan
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Choose A PR Topic
Choose A PR Topic
Press Release Builder
 
The Top 10 GTD Times Posts - Best Posts for Productivity
The Top 10 GTD Times Posts
Best Posts for Productivity
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Neima Sintia Virgili Mabota Cidade de Maputo, Mozambique,
Neima Sintia Virgili Mabota
Cidade de Maputo, Mozambique
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Kerry Shapansky, $2.0 to $51 Mil in 5 years
Kerry Shapansky
$2.0 to $51 Mil in 5 years
Lisa Shepherd, $335k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
Lisa Shepherd
$335k to $1.1 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Debbi Fields, Mrs. Fields Cookies
Debbi Fields
Mrs. Fields Cookies
Vera Wang, Vera Wang
Vera Wang
Vera Wang
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Donald J. Trump, Trump University
Donald J. Trump
Trump University
Michael Gerber, The E Myth
Michael Gerber
The E Myth
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     The Big Advantages of Small Business
By Steve Chittenden
     Award Winning Disaster
By Steve Chittenden
     Offshore Outsourcing - Better Read the Fine Print
By Steve Chittenden

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information