SmarterComics Blog

5 Steps to Mastering the Universe (Samurai Philosophy)

  Houses, bodies, and enemies collapse when their rhythm becomes deranged. Sometimes, all you have to do to win a conflict is disrupt your opponent’s rhythm. But how is that done?

Classic strategy says that in order to disrupt the rhythm of our opponents, we must first understand our own rhythms, and the rhythms of nature. It is only when you appreciate the power of nature and know the rhythm of any situation that you will be able to strike in an appropriate way and unbalance your opponent.

This takes a lot of practice, and the development of a sense of timing. Timing is crucial in any situation, trade, or industry. You have to know when to move, when to stop, and when to change tactics. No one develops a sense of timing overnight. Only by constantly working at broadening your perception will you be able to start to detect the rhythms that are responsible for life.

To master rhythm, be sure that you:
1. Never think dishonestly.
2. Become acquainted with every art.
3. Know the ways of all professions.
4. Perceive things which can’t be seen.
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.

The world will be yours.

From Miyamoto Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings"

Sun Tzu: THE BEST WARS ARE NEVER FOUGHT!

The best wars are never fought. Preventing conflict is the mark of a master general, at least according to renowned general and philosopher Sun Tzu. Although there are many techniques you can use to win a battle, the truly talented individual will never have to even raise a hand to his opponent. But how does this strategy apply to daily life? Answer: you should enter every conversation, every argument, and every competition with the intent to win.

SmarterComics is pleased to present soon a full color version Sun Tzu’s masterpiece. From the machinations of a down and dirty senate race to the dimly lit parlor of a gangster kingpin, Sun Tzu’s insights have as much resonance now as they did twenty five hundred years ago.

If you enjoy winning, learning from the undisputed master is the fastest route to success. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent along with your own skills will enable you to seize desirable opportunities and avoid the pitfalls. Winning isn’t just a strategy; it’s a mindset and a lifelong discipline. Start winning today.

Samurai Wisdom for the 21st Century

 

There are a variety of ways to make your way through life, but if you really want to get anywhere, it’s best to adopt a regular stride. It can be fast or slow, with big or little steps. But do yourself a favor and choose a rhythm. Those who vary their movements too much just end up getting sidelined in both life and business. Consider these poor walking styles:

1. Jumping Foot.
Perhaps if you’re a Mexican jumping bean this one makes sense, but for the rest of us it leads to indecision and a certain unsettled quality overall. People who walk with a jumping foot are always going off in a different direction; they can never stick to anything.

2. Floating Foot.
People who are afraid of taking a stand tend to get pushed around. While many of us dread conflict, it’s important to be able to stand up for what we believe in. If you have floating feet, you probably never hold on to what you want.

3. Fixed Step.
Of course, if you’re too stuck in your groove, you end up waiting for life to happen to you. Having some flexibility is important: avoid the fixed step.

To read more about Miyamoto Musashi, the greatest samurai who has ever lived, click here.

The Best Way to Eat a Frog

  As Mark Twain once said, “If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.”

While few of us have had to chow down on a squirming amphibian, there’s something to be said for confronting a horrible task first thing in the morning. Not only does it make the rest of the day better by comparison, but it helps you to stop procrastinating. And procrastination is really your worst enemy. “Failure to execute” is one of the worst problems currently plaguing businesses and organizations. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you can focus on other tasks. And the more important work you do, the better you feel about yourself.

What works in business works in life, too. If there is something you’re avoiding doing in your personal life, odds are it’s making you feel bad about yourself. When you train yourself to overcome procrastination and get the most important tasks completed quickly, you will move yourself onto the fast track in your life and career. Who can argue with that?

Brian Tracy's "Eat That Frog from SmarterComics" is now available as paperback on Amazon, Kindle Edition, iPhone & iPad App. For more detailes, please click here!

Sun Tzu and The Art of War

The best wars are never fought. Preventing conflict is the mark of a master general, at least according to renowned general and philosopher Sun Tzu. Although there are many techniques you can use to win a battle, the truly talented individual will never have to even raise a hand to his opponent. But how does this strategy apply to daily life? Answer: you should enter every conversation, every argument, and every competition with the intent to win.

SmarterComics is pleased to present Sun Tzu’s powerful observations in an updated format perfect for the 21st century. From the machinations of a down and dirty senate race to the dimly lit parlor of a gangster kingpin, Sun Tzu’s insights have as much resonance now as they did twenty five hundred years ago. “The Art of War from SmarterComics” is a timeless classic that has been reformatted for the age of information.

If you enjoy winning, learning from the undisputed master is the fastest route to success. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent along with your own skills will enable you to seize desirable opportunities and avoid the pitfalls. Winning isn’t just a strategy; it’s a mindset and a lifelong discipline. Start winning today.

For more of Sun Tzu's wisdom, check out "The Art of War from SmarterComics"

Do Smart People Lie?

 
The dictionary defines lying as a “false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive.” But what is false in an age where very few people can agree on what constitutes truth? More importantly, is it better to die as an honest man rather than to prosper as a deceitful one?

Most people prefer to stay alive. Truth is often a high price to pay when the rewards for telling it are so low. Machiavelli says that it’s okay to deceive others in order to win an empire. But he also notes that deceiving people tends to take a toll on your friendships.

Surviving in the 21st century isn’t easy. Always being honest can feel like standing under a flashing sign that encourages other people to take advantage of you. However, honest people have meaningful friendships and sleep better at night. Liars look forward to fighting insomnia on 600 thread count sheets.

Want to be successful in life? Read SmarterComics -- comics that make you smarter! If you wanna know more about Machiavelli, check out "The Prince from SmarterComics"

Sun Tzu: Should You Attack or Retreat?

With a 10:1 advantage, your overwhelming strength cen be displayed in such a way that surrender is your enemy's only option.

If the odds are 5:1 in your favor, Sun Tzu recommends to attack.

If this odds are equal, Sun Tzu doesn't recommed to fight. If forced to, fight for survival.

If inferior, avoid any battle and retreat.

Any move you make -- make it only if it will benefit your strategy. Remember, the MARK OF A GREAT GENERAL IS THAT HE FIGHTS ON HIS OWN TERMS, OR NOT AT ALL.

Hungry for more Sun Tzu wisdom? Click on 'The Art of War from SmarterComics'

Attracting Happiness, Not A Higher Tax Bracket

What’s better than being rich? Being happy. Although many people think that having a few extra million to kick around would make their lives perfect, the truth is that happiness is not something that automatically comes with a fat bankroll. While everybody needs some form of cash to get them through the day, money in of itself is not the path to fulfillment and happiness.

The best way to become happy, as strange as it may seem, is to visualize being happy. For many people, this means being able to pay all their bills on time and not worry about having enough money to do the things they truly enjoy, whether it’s taking vacations or buying a new piece of furniture. Happiness may also involve having a healthy primary relationship or a diverse group of friends. Whatever the ingredients to your ideal life, don’t be afraid to visualize them in detail.

Just don’t get hung up on the idea that money is going to wipe out your blues. $$$$ does not automatically equal :)

Love, happiness, health, wealth? No matter what you desire, "The Law of Attraction" from SmarterComics is the ultimate guide to attracting ANYTHING you want in your life. Successful people have been deliberately using this "Law" for over a century to amass great fortunes and achieve their dreams.  D.J. Coffman's "The Law of Attraction from Smarter" is NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON (paperback and Kindle Edition).

 

Is Your Opponent Unstoppable? Just Try Thinking Like Them

Sometimes, the difference between winning an argument and losing one is being able to think like the person who disagrees with you. This may seem counter-intuitive; after all, if that person disagrees with you, they must necessarily lack your perspective. However, one of the most powerful ways to defeat our opponents is by thinking like them, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it may seem. By adopting their thought process, you can anticipate their movements and quickly outmaneuver their attack.

In political debates, candidates are frequently coached by experts who ask them hostile questions which represent the beliefs of their opponent. The idea is not only to prep the candidate for a vigorous debate, but to get them thinking about issues in a way counter to their position. When their opponent tries to cleverly back them into a corner, the candidate already knows how to escape. This method also reduces seemingly unstoppable opponents into life-size figures. It simultaneously demystifies and humanizes them.

By “becoming the enemy,” as it is known in strategic terms, you guarantee your victory in any situation. If all the moves of your opponent are known to you in advance, they have no power over you in battle. 

From "The Book of Five Rings from SmarterComics" by Miyamoto Musashi.

Want to "Score"?

 
As Robert De Niro said in the movie “The Score,” figure out what you want 25 years from now, and start working towards it. Long-term planning helps us achieve truly meaningful goals, just as learning how to adapt to changing situations helps us keep those goals within our reach. By understanding where we want to be 25 years from now, we are better prepared to seize helpful opportunities that come our way, and pass on those that won’t help us advance to our final goal.

This strategy not only helps you get what you want, but helps others understand what they want, too. In “How to Master the Art of Selling” the techniques that help salespeople close on life-altering deals are the same ones that help people understand what it is they are truly after. By creating an environment of trust where people feel comfortable in expressing their long-term goals, you’ll be able to sell them the perfect solution.

Some people feel that looking that far into the future is limiting, but the reverse is true. Most of us hold a vision of what we hope our lives will be. Having the ability to make that vision happen is priceless.

For more information, click on Tom Hopkin's book "How to Mater the Art of Selling from SmarterComics".  

 

About the author: TOM HOPKINS failed miserably during the first six months of his career in real estate, before discovering and applying winning sales techniques that earned him more than a million dollars in just three years, leaving him fabulously wealthy by age 27. He went on to set records that remained unbroken until this century. In his last year as an agent, he sold 365 homes—the equivalent of one per day. In a period of six years, he closed 1,553 real estate transactions. Today he spends his time teaching others how to become sales champions and how to succeed beyond their wildest imaginings.