"What are your choices when someone puts a gun to your head? You take the gun, or you pull out a bigger one. Or, you call their bluff. Or, you do any of a hundred and forty six other things." ~Harvey Specter, Suits
Always try to enlarge the competitive space. Think outside the box and outperform your opponent. Can the rules be changed? Is it possible to find hacks? A boxer fighting Mike Tyson may have few options, but his chances would rise dramatically if he could break the rules and bring in a fellow fighter from outside the ring. Combining with others is frequently the most savvy strategic decision.
When the rules are disadvantageous, change the rules.
- 多 Multipurpose move (protect+attack+extend)
- 根 Destroy enemy base / protect own base
- 次 Consider if subsequent step is optimal
- 配 Coordinate with other areas / destroy opponent coordination
Increase your options while limiting your opponent's. In chess, for example, take control of the center of the board to free up your pieces. When your pieces are open, you can attack your opponent from many angles. Simultaneously, force and squeeze your opponents to limit their alternatives.
Build up pressure on the opponent's position gradually. As additional threats emerge, the opponent's pieces become too overworked and passive to deal with them all. The key to this process is to deprive the opponent of counterplay and then assault multiple targets at once, making simultaneous defense difficult.
Use forced moves such as checks, captures, and mating threats to compel your opponent to choose from a limited set of possible responses. Then you may control the game's dynamics by dictating your opponent's moves. Have you ever wondered how good players can see five, a dozen, or more steps ahead? The answer is that their opponents usually don't have many options because they are forced into a specific series of moves.
There is positional advantage in every game. Find them! A positional advantage is a benefit obtained by being at the right place at the right moment. This advantage can be in the form of resources, leverage, information, power, or options. When analyzing games, always find the position that gives the most advantage. For example:
- In card games, the best position is the seat behind the weak player. At that position, you can you can capitalize on his mistakes and increase your lead over all other players.
- In chess games, the best position is the center of the board. When you control the center, you have more space and flexibility in both attacking and defending.
- In fighting games, the best position is behind your opponent, where he is most vulnerable.
- In battles, the best position is on hilltops, where you can see and prepare for the enemy coming from afar.
- In life, the best position is the industry that have the greatest potential of growing. A person in sunrise industry and a person in sunset industry earns very different income. A rising tide raises all boats.
However, what if you are in a bad position? You flip the principle on its head: find the advantage in that position. If you're losing badly, seek for complacency in your opponent and take advantage of it. When your back is against the wall, use your mortality to your advantage. There is only one option: win. Always look for opportunities to improve your standing.
How do you implement these principles in your daily life? If you can't see a clear road ahead, pick the school/course/industry/job that offers the most room for growth and the most possibilities for the time being. If you are in a lousy or low position at work, immerse yourself in your boss's task so thoroughly that removing you would cause him tremendous hardship. Then you'll have leverage to advance your career.
Always strive for more options and better positions.