The Use of Art of War in your Daily Works

Alt of people might think, what has a book with only 13 chapters and was written thousands of years before be helpful in our daily works. Well like all motivational and self help books, you need to see the big picture. Below are some examples of how the Art of War have helped me in my daily life.

Controllling Anger
Verse 12."There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general. One of it is a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults. This means holding your anger." Chapter 8: VARIATION IN TACTICS. I always had a quick tongue and an even quicker anger. I used to say what I feel and do things without much thought. That is the why I was most of the time passed over for promotions. Even though I knew the job very well. Now I'm more controlled now.
Another quote from Sun Tzu goes like this. 5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege. Chapter 3. ATTACK BY STRATAGEM

Never Underestimate your competition
Verse 11. The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable. Chapter 8: VARIATION IN TACTICS
This means never underestimate, always be prepared. We used to be the biggest hotel with the biggest convention room. So naturally we got the bulk of the business in our area. Now there's a new building coming up near us, same amount of rooms and an even larger convention hall. Luckily I followed this Sun Tzu's strategy. Before any news of this hotel coming up, we built our business with the local community. So we might lose some business to them, we will win back our guest if we continue to be friendly and give them an even better product than the new hotel.

Leading by Example
Verse 8  "At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand. "  Chapter 11. THE NINE SITUATIONS.
Few days ago, I was watching Battles BC on the History Channel. This time they were showing Caesar's battle with the Gauls. Towards the end of the battle, it looked like Rome was going to lose the campaign. They were attacked from both sides. Then Caesar put on his red cloak and when into battle with reinforcements. Seeing their comander fighting alongside with them with his distinguished red cloak, the Roman army had renewed strength and fought hard. They managed to win the battle. This concept can be used in today's management system. When your area is busy or staff have difficult situation, the staff will be happy to see their manager working alongside them. Not standing around giving orders. I have found that this motivates them to give their best. It also helps when you need to reprimand them for a mistake they have done. The employee will know that you want only for them to improve their performance.
Verse 25 "Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death." Chapter 10. TERRAIN

The Wealthy Barber

Everyone's Commonsense Guide to Becoming Financially Independent I found out about this book in the many forums I subscribe to. Everyone seems to have good reviews about this book. It's similar to The Richest Man in Babylon. Its financial planning book comes in a story form and also is not a get rich quick book.

The Wealthy Barber: The Common Sense Guide to Successful Financial Planning

Chapter 1. The Financial Illiterate The story starts with the writer telling about his life and wife who is five months pregnant. He and his wife are from the same town. They often go back there to visit their parents. This time he goes back to visit his father to ask how he can be financial literate. So the story begins on his journey to be financial free. Chapter 2. A Surprising Referral One Friday night the author and his father discuss on the topic of financial literates. As a family they have never discussed about money. As the author wanted to buy a house and a baby was on the way, he felt that it was about time to be financial free. His dad told him that he too didn't know about personal financing until six years ago. He then tells how he found an unlikely financial guru. The town's barber. After his father explains how his barber taught him about personal financing, the author tells his sister about it. Both of them agree to visit their dad's barber to learn how to be financial free. Chapter 3. The Wealthy Barber As with their usual routine, the author and his friend Tom visit Roy their barber for haircuts. But this time its different, other than a haircut, they also came for some financial advice. He brought along his sister Cathy. Roy the Wealthy Barber agreed to teach and said he will teach them in different parts. So in seven months onwards they can be financial free. He tells them that it is really easy to be financial free. Chapter 4. The Ten Percent Solution Despite the storm Dave, Tom and Cathy visits Roy the Barber for their first lesson. Roy starts by telling them how he seeks the advice of Old Man White, one of the town's wealthiest men on ways to build financial wealth. Mr. White advised him to save ten percent of his salary to invest later. Even Robert Kiyosaki said this technique is useful. So as you have savings t invests when an investment opportunity comes along. Later throughout the conversation Roy teaches what to invest in, how to choose and what to avoid. Chapter 5. Wills, Life Insurance and Responsibility This month Roy discusses a subject of what some people feels it's boring and thinks it's not important. Setting up a will and buying insurance, preparing your loved ones when you are not around. He starts by teaching his three protégé how to chose a lawyer to draw up a will, to map out what should go in the will and why is it important to have a will. The wealthy barber then goes on to teach them about insurance, how to choose one that suit them. Chapter 6. Planning for Retirement This month The Wealthy Barber teaches his three protégé how to plan for retirement. What plan that suits them. As for me after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and Cashflow Quadrant and doing some research. I found that my contributions to the Malaysian version of the 401K is not sufficient when I reach retirement age. This is due to the ever increasing inflation. So now I am looking in other venues for my money like mutual funds. Chapter 7. Home, Sweet Home As Dave was planning to purchase a house for him and his family, Roy the Wealthy Barber changes the lesson plan to the topic of purchasing or renting a house. Roy says both is not wrong, you need to see your requirement. Everyone needs shelter same as they need food and drinks. But if it cheaper to rent than why burden yourself with buying. Roy then teaches his protégé how to evaluate whether they should buy or rent their shelter. He then teaches Dave some tips on buying a house. The tips are to buy a house that suits your needs and wants and should also fill the requirement of a good investment. Chapter 8. Saving Savvy This month Roy teaches them about savings. Not the monthly 10% but saving for things like a new hi fi, holidays. People nowadays enjoys those things by maxing out their credit card by buying the things. I am guilty of that. I have living for years without a credit card and managed to enjoy myself. Then a credit card came in the mail and I was tempted to go on holidays every three months. My reasoning was that I worked very hard and needed a break. Eventually I maxed my card. Now I am slowly clearing my debts, lock my cards in a safe box and forcedly save a portion each month for my holidays. I also look around for great deals or discounts. I am living below my means. Chapter 9. Insights into Investment and Income Tax In this chapter Roy starts by explaining that the rule of thumb to investing is to "Buy Low, Sell High". But many people fail at investing because they don't have the discipline and courage to follow this rule. He then teaches them how to identify what to invest in. Roy then advises his protégé that it's best they clear the high interest debts first. Then he goes onto talk about income tax. He teaches his protégé to take a deductible loan to pay off a non deductible loan. Therefore this loan will reduce the contribution to income tax. The wealthy barber also suggests to get professional help when doing income tax. Chapter 10. Graduation This last chapter is the end to The Wealthy Barber's lessons. This chapter he talks in detail about emergency funds, saving for a rainy day. Most financial gurus give a set amount to save but what Roy says is what's the use of having large amount of savings and a high interest consumer debt. He suggest to keep little money for a rainy day and use the rest to pay up the debts. He also suggest to look for the best Savings Bond to save for the children's education. This book is a little technical, so I would suggest to read Richest Man in Babylon first. But the points highlighted is relevant to people who wants to be financial free.

Have Heroes that Inspire you

We all need heroes, someone to look up to. The  people who you choose as heroes,mentors or idol(whatever you may call them) are a reflection of who you are or who you want to be. So choose people who add true value to your life. When I was young my heroes were the firemen, nowadays they are people who have succeeded inspite of difficulties. Someone who have become successful like Bill Gates, Walt Disney, Donald Trump and many more. I don`t admire movie stars, sports stars or celebrities. Reason being these people will normally disappoint or distress us when they fall from grace. People like Tyson, Tiger Woods and even Lohan are bad influence to youngsters today.

Even Robert Kiyosaki said in his Cashflow Quadrant book that you need heroes to succeed. Someone to look up to, to learn from. Apart from reading inspirational books, I also like to read about the life of successful people. I like to read about how they succeeded through difficulties, their rags to richest stories and how they live. To my surprise most of them are very frugal. I like to catchup on the news of how they are doing now. Even closer to home, there are people who has succeded against all odds and they are my inspiration. To name a few there is Lim Goh Tong of Genting Highlands, Dr. Mahathir our former Prime Minister, Tony Fernandez of Air Asia and more.

Datuk Tony Fernandez

He is the guy who you normaly see in the media casually dressed and wearing his signature red Air Asia Cap. But he is the guy who had a dream, mortgage his home, bought an ailing airlines for RM1 which landed him with a RM40 million debt and finally turn the airlines company around to make it one of the best low cost airlines in the world. He started AirAsia after the September 11, when everyone was afraid to fly. And many airlines was going into the red. But Tony Fernandez said this timing was perfect. The leasing cost of planes were low and airlines lay-offs meant that that experience staff were readily available. He is a great example of turning lemons into lemonades. He is also a great example of Managing by Walking Around, people have seen him carrying luggage, checking in guest and so on. He believes that if you are closer to the ground you can hear more. On reading his bio I was surprised that he was from my hometown.

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