This We'll Defend
-A quick self-defense class before the holidays
Being able to fight is important. As Miyamoto Musashi said,
“It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”
But today, we’re not talking about that type of self-defense.
The crazy season is upon us, and the rest of 2024 will be full of (probably) well-intentioned people launching attacks on your time, resources, and energy.
The secret to starting the new year right is to get a head start by establishing the habits you want to make a part of 2025 now.
According to USMC doctrine, the four purposes of defensive combat (and how they apply to us) are:
Retain or Control Terrain (Hold ground so that holiday excesses don’t push us further into a hole.)
Gain Time (Establish our defensive plan before it is needed so that we have time to prepare.) Action > Reaction
Develop more favorable conditions for offensive action (Establish the habits necessary to achieve our New Year’s resolutions).
Economize Forces- (Prioritize progress in one area while avoiding losing ground in others.)
Here’s how to establish your defense:
Identify your non-negotiables and defend them like the precious resource they are.
Mine are sleep, exercise, nutrition, reading, and writing time. They go on the schedule before anything else.
Once identified and scheduled, fit holiday events in the remaining time.
Of course, being realistic, there will probably be things you really want/need to do that will impact your non-negotiables, turning them into negotiables.
How you deal with that is up to you, but even if your defense weakens once or twice over the next month or so, establishing your defense will leave you far less susceptible to attack.
As Louis Pasteur said, “Fortune favors the prepared mind.”
Over the next few weeks, we’ll discuss the principles of the defense.
Until next week, Keep Walking Point.
A great way to finish your Christmas shopping early is to buy copies of Tough Rugged Bastards for everyone. And it is now available on Audible.
On my other, saltier email, Ruck The F*ck Up, I’m preparing for rotator cuff surgery and getting back into the best shape of my life. If you are not as fit as you’d like to be, come on over.
Thanks John - I needed this today!! Count me in as a trooper trying to keep the blade sharp, or at least not go blunt over the next 4-6 weeks. Onwards!!
Thanks, John. Very helpful reminders for this time of year.