Making Yourself Bigger Than You Are
A warrior attitude of extending one's spirit and resolve beyond the opponent, ensuring mental dominance before physical action.
THE IDEA
MAKING YOURSELF BIGGER THAN YOU ARE
This is a strong warrior attitude. Extend your spirit above and beyond the enemy’s body and spirit. Never cringe in fear and never fight without your spine being straight. This indicates your resoluteness to go in hard and deep to cut the enemy down. You first beat the enemy with your spirit and then you beat the enemy with your hands or your sword. Stretch out your body and your spirit. Go for the kill with utter resolve and commitment.
When to use it
Preparing for a high-stakes sports competition
Entering a negotiation with a strong counterpart
Facing a challenging confrontation in a military operation
Overcoming personal fears in public speaking or performance
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Martial Arts Match
Before engaging, visualize yourself larger than your opponent to intimidate and gain psychological advantage.
High-Stakes Negotiation
Project confidence and conviction to psychologically overpower the other party, making them perceive you as larger and more formidable.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you extend your spirit beyond your opponent in a competition?
In what situations do you cringe or show fear, and how can you adopt a posture of resoluteness?
How does mental commitment influence physical performance?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Musashis book of five rings the definitive interpretation of Miyamoto Musashis classic book of strategy (Kaufman, SteveMiyamoto, Musashi)