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Sun Tzu on Positioning
Positioning is the art of arranging conditions in your favor before the contest begins. Sun Tzu’s "win first, then go to war" is a positioning insight: put yourself where the outcome is already decided.
Sun Tzu lessons for this
“When able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 1: Laying Plans
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 4: Tactical Dispositions
“Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
“In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.”
Sun Tzu · Chapter 6: Weak Points and Strong
Put it into practice
Sun Tzu’s strategy is only useful if you actually use it. Try this small loop the next time positioning shows up:
- Read the situation. Gather information about yourself, the other side, and the environment before you commit.
- Choose your ground. Avoid the other side’s strength and strike where you have an advantage.
- Act with timing. Move fast when the moment is right, and wait when patience is the advantage.