Lessons From The Samurai: The Secret To Always Being At Your Best

Lessons From The Samurai: The Secret To Always Being At Your Best

You know the benefits: you think clearly, you don’t make rash decisions, you don’t get scared. What did so many of history’s greatest warriors stress as key to success and optimal performance? “Being calm.” We’re talking about some of the greatest samurai who ever lived writing about it over and over for five hundred years: When you manage to overcome your own mind, you overcome myriad concerns, rise above all things, and are free. When you are overcome by your own mind, you are burdened by myriad concerns, subordinate to things, unable to rise above.

“Mind your mind; guard it resolutely. Since it is the mind that confuses the mind, don’t let your mind give in to your mind.” Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Really, they thought about death a lot. One who is supposed to be a warrior considers it his foremost concern to keep death in mind at all times, every day and every night, from the morning of New Year’s Day through the night of New Year’s Eve.

According to Johnson and Leach, the sort of people who survive are the sort of people who prepare for the worst and practice ahead of time. It’s what the Stoics call, “the premeditation” – that there’s actually a lot of peace of mind to be gained in thinking carefully and in detail and consciously about how badly things could go. Research shows the most powerful way to combat stress or anxiety — to stay calm — is to have a feeling of control.

Even a good luck charm can help — because good luck charms really do work. …people with a lucky charm performed significantly better than did the people who had none. That’s right, having a lucky charm will make you a better golfer, should you care about such things, and improve your cognitive performance on tasks such as memory games.

These lessons from the samurai highlight the importance of maintaining calmness and control in order to achieve optimal performance. Whether in battle or in everyday life, being able to overcome the distractions of the mind is crucial. By staying calm and composed, one can rise above challenges and achieve greatness.

So how can we apply these lessons in our own lives? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Practice mindfulness: Train your mind to stay present and focused. By being aware of your thoughts and emotions, you can better control them and prevent them from overwhelming you. Incorporate mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine.

2. Prepare for the worst: Take the time to think about potential challenges or setbacks that may arise in your endeavors. By mentally preparing for these scenarios, you can develop strategies to overcome them and maintain a sense of control. This premeditation allows you to approach situations with a clear and calm mindset.

3. Find your lucky charm: While it may seem superstitious, having a physical object that brings you luck or comfort can actually improve your performance. Whether it's a lucky charm, a favorite piece of clothing, or a meaningful item, having something tangible to hold onto can provide a sense of security and confidence.

In conclusion, the lessons from the samurai teach us the importance of staying calm and in control to achieve our best performance. By minding our minds, preparing for challenges, and finding sources of luck or comfort, we can navigate through life with a cool head and overcome any obstacles that come our way. Today is the day to conquer ourselves, and tomorrow is the day to conquer lesser men. So let us embrace the wisdom of the samurai and strive to always be at our best.