The feeling of having no power over people and events is generally unbearable to us-when we feel helpless, we feel miserable. No one wants less power, everyone wants more. In the world today, however, it is dangerous to seem too power hungry, to be overt with your power moves. We have to seem fair and decent. So, we need to be subtle-congenial yet cunning, democratic yet devious
-Robert Greene
A lesson in occupational wellness
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Watch yourself…
We are nearing the end of the occupational briefings. The rules of the game of power are numerous, and I’ve done what I could to spoonfeed you as much as possible. We went over the difference between strength and weakness. How to be a heat source in this cold world. How to evaluate yourself. How to work with conflict and how to use it to your advantage. How to identify the people you need as well as those you should avoid. We went over why you should treat different people differently and how to make a name for yourself. The game of power begins once there is more than one human present. Especially once resources become limited. The sooner you understand the status quo, the more effective you’ll be. I understand how it could be a lot to take in at one time. So perhaps it will be simpler to list the things not to do.
Everything we speak of will be important to keep in mind during your campaign. The more powerful you become, the likelier it is that one of these mistakes would ruin everything for you. The higher your status, the more grievous a rookie mistake becomes. Because you should’ve known better. No matter which game you’re playing, no matter how much those rules change, these taboos are universal.
Rookie mistakes stem from the human condition. You have most likely committed a few of these blunders in your past. Some of you might be screwing up right now. Most of these can boil down to not keeping your emotions in check. But oversimplifying would be a disservice to you. Once you see something, you can’t unsee it. That is the intent behind this briefing. Once you know what not to do, I’d wager you will become twice as powerful as before. Most of your power comes from what you don’t do. Over time, this may become one of the meditations you will revisit. As you will soon find out, the following list will have infinite applications. You may spot rookie mistakes in popular culture, in history, and even your own life. You might be able to exploit an advantage over an enemy or rival. The most important factor is that you must be the first to spot them.
Rookie mistake #1: Panicking
Also known as “snapping” or “crashing out,”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of panicking will call misfortune upon themselves. Panicking is often the beginning of the end. The more you panic, the less control you have. Panicking is the ultimate display of powerlessness. Make sure never to fight on another’s terms. The less control you have over a situation, the likelier you are to fall into a panic.
Panic is the result of overwhelming anger or fear. It usually happens once you lose control of a situation. Panic isn’t always a high manic energy. It can also be a dull drowning feeling. It could even look like joyless laughter. No matter your style of panicking, you are relinquishing what little control you have left. You have to understand that very little will be under your control at any given time. You do what you can, but you won’t be able to do anything while panicking.
To cause panic within your enemy, you must confuse them. This will likely take the work of spies or smokescreens. You must disorganize the enemy. Enemy information must be unreliable. Your moves must be unpredictable. Attack once they are off balance, make them feel as if everything is happening at once. Just make sure to keep an eye out for any “drastic measures” the enemy may take as a last resort. Imagine the cat cornering the mouse.
Rookie mistake #2: Disorganization
Also known as “not knowing oneself”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of disorganization will render themselves incapable of using their tactics. Organization is the greatest evidence of control. If you’re disorganized, you will end up doing someone else’s work for them. Since you have no idea what’s going on, you will be easily tricked. If you’re disorganized, you won’t know what you want. You wouldn’t be able to strategize. You will waste precious time and resources.
Imagine your first day learning a martial art. You would have no idea what your body can do. A rookie has no business trying anything fancy. Not even masters neglect the basics. Disorganization is possibly the rookiest of all the rookie mistakes. Imagine a new player in a video game. The combos would be nonexistent. He would walk into everything. He would go out there just to get his ass kicked. If disorganized, you will be unable to respond to any sudden changes on the battlefield. You will be unable to concentrate your forces. You will be easily outmaneuvered. You will quickly find yourself running out of ideas. Disorganization will leave you with no concept of value. It would have you fighting when not in danger. It leads to pointless expansion, which will eventually pop you like a balloon.
To guard yourself against disorganization, you must plan all the way to the end. Practice until you get it down. You must be prepared for a mishap during any phase of your strategy. You must be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent’s as well as your own. Your backup plan must also have a backup plan. Your pieces must connect and protect each other. You must never be clueless about your next move. If you are forced to improvise, you would have an easier time retreating and thinking of a better plan. Improvising is exactly how a great mind ends up defeating itself. Sustaining oneself requires the ability to plan ahead. Once foiled, you are forced to improvise. To avoid your plans being foiled, you must make your plan flexible. Flexibility will naturally increase your reach.
Rookie mistake #3: Dysfunction
Also known as “tripping” or “wilding”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of dysfunction will be constantly afflicted. The mind will constantly stop. If you are dysfunctional, you won’t be able to attack your enemies nor defend yourself. At least not effectively. Once your reputation reaches a certain status, there will be plenty of clout-hungry insurgents that will try to bring you down to pull themselves up. You have no choice but to be ready at all times. You aren’t ready for anything if you’re dysfunctional.
A dysfunctional person in power will believe they can do no wrong. They are the most likely to become dictators or tyrants. They truly believe that the world owes them something. If you encounter a dysfunctional person, the last thing you’d want to do is relate to them. Either correct them, remove them, or punish them. Once you’ve enabled dysfunction, you are dysfunctional.
Instead of taking steps to fix their dysfunction, most will instead opt to conceal their true nature. A dysfunctional person believes that everyone else is just as screwed as they are deep down. Some dysfunctional people are harder to detect than others. But every so often, their mask will slip. Pay attention to the number of empty promises made. Keep an eye out for any “out of character” moments they might have. Check for any signs of envy, laziness, or cruelty. Complaining is the language of dysfunction. Sure, we all do it from time to time, but avoid the ones who complain all the time. Do not allow them to sap your energy.
There are many ways to identify a dysfunctional opponent. The most common of them all being the emotional outburst. Perhaps they are cranky, or jumping for joy, or seething with rage. They are otherwise not as locked-in as you are. Greed is another dead giveaway. Are they incapable of thinking outside of themselves? Is it always about them? Paranoia is a huge sign. I can’t think of anything more draining than living your life in fear. Those who do not trust anyone will manipulate everyone. Listen for any grudges they might hold. A grudge is just another affliction. Foolishness is possibly the greatest evidence of dysfunction. A weak mind will have a weak heart. Just check to see what they do with the information they receive. How many of their current problems are of their own doing?
An afflicted enemy is essentially blind to everything else. Easily distracted. Easy to capture. Dysfunctional opponents are easier to manipulate than they are to crush. Let them believe they have a choice when they have none. A dysfunctional opponent is already in great pain. It wouldn’t be wise to add to it directly. You risk creating the kind of enemy who would happily die to inconvenience you. Dysfunction can take on many forms. So, you will need to develop protocols for each type you encounter. For example, if you sense insecurity within your opponent, give them reassurance. Once they feel safe, step back and let them cause chaos in the direction you’ve led them. If dealing with a foolish or immature opponent, you should resort to reverse psychology. Fools and children tend to do the opposite of what they’re told out of a sense of adventure. Make a show of forcing an issue and use the rebellious nature against them. If you are dealing with a greedy opponent, then raise the stakes. As long as the reward is high enough, they will take any risk. If you smell fear in the opponent, you should make a threat. Do not coerce them but take advantage of their need to protect themselves. If a dysfunctional opponent is attacking you directly, however, you need to work on taking their options away. Focus on foiling their plans, and they will eventually self-destruct.
Dysfunction could take any of us. Dysfunction comes from pain, and there are plenty of ways to hurt someone. Once you have sustained damage that you have no way of processing, you may lose all control of yourself. Life is all about overcoming the things that shouldn’t have happened to you. The moment you start holding a grudge, the moment you begin thinking that the world owes you something for the pain you are going through, you are being dysfunctional. If this is happening to you, then you must retreat to a sanctuary and focus on recovery. Focus on your overall wellness before continuing.
Rookie mistake #4: Overuse.
Also known as “spamming” or “one-tricking”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of overuse will eventually stagnate. Those who overuse their resources will inevitably deplete them; and often before the enemy can do the same. Overusage will turn an emergency into a disaster. Imagine running out of ammo in the middle of a firefight.
Sure, if something isn’t broken, you shouldn’t fix it. But everything in this world has a countermeasure. What will happen to you if your one trick gets countered. That’s right. You will lose. Your advantage will be taken away, leaving nothing but a scrub behind. Your best defense against overuse is diversifying your tactics. Have more than one tool for any given job.
There is no way to trick your opponent into overuse. However, if you spot an enemy committing overusage, the quickest way to defeat them is by disarming them. Usually, someone’s weakness is closely related to what makes them strong. Once disarmed, they will have nothing. Who is the Green Lantern without his ring?
Rookie mistake #5: Overextending.
Also known as “biting off more than you can chew.”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of overextension will have their option of retreat taken from them. Overextending is usually done in anger, but sometimes, it can be done out of confidence. Overextending is among the deadliest of the rookie mistakes. Because there will be no turning back for you. Anyone supporting you would not be able to save you. Imagine the angry dog jumping a cliff to catch a taunting bird.
To provoke the enemy into overextending, you would need to lure them in. Either have them chase you into a trap or trick them into certainty. Overextending will place you in a reactive state. You won’t have any time to think. You would be fighting on their turf or in otherwise unfamiliar territory. If your opponent overextends, cut off their path of retreat. Then, force them further away from their sanctuary. Once deeply isolated in your territory, they will grow desperate and can be easily overtaken. They might even surrender.
Rookie Mistake #6: Overstaying
Also known as “camping”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of overstaying will find themselves outmaneuvered. Overstaying will give your enemies enough time to think of a way to defeat you. Overstaying also makes you appear common. The longer you stick around, the less intimidating you’ll be. Overstaying will eventually rob you of all momentum.
Overstaying makes everything worse. Secrets will eventually become common sense. What is bad will become terrible. What is great will no longer be good enough. You cannot create the illusion of scarcity if you are always around. Overstaying diminishes your value. Overstaying will have those who depend on you taking you for granted. Or even worse, those who admired you will grow to envy you. You can prevent overstaying by diversifying your schedule. All that matters is that you don’t stay in one spot for longer than you have to.
Rookie mistake #7: Marriage
Also known as “overcommitting”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of marriage will find themselves growing weaker over time. Just because you are married to something doesn’t mean it won’t turn against you. Your spouse could divorce you. Your argument could be used against you. Your system could get hacked. Your job will eventually replace you. Marriages tend to siphon your resources. Once you’ve become accustomed to the extraction, your marriage will have full control of your actions.
You are incapable of sacrificing anything you are married to. A sacrifice is the seed of power. Let’s use a game of chess as an example. How do you expect to take control of the board without making a single sacrifice? Let a man think of his pawns as his friends. Watch him hesitate to send his knights into battle. Watch him value both of his bishops. Watch him love his queen. Then watch him lose everything.
Marriages aren’t just a burden on you. Marriage comes with expectations. Once you’ve invested too much, your expectations for the marriage will be sky high. No one enjoys being held to impossibly high standards. Expectations eventually become frustrations. Out of all the rookie mistakes, marriage is the most likely to leave you completely powerless. The longer you are bound, the weaker you become.
Your connections are what make indispensable. The more connections, the better. But never bind your life. Marriage has a way of interfering with such connections. There is no diversity once you have overcommitted. This will limit your options more than what is necessary. Marriages have their ways of pulling you into battles you didn’t choose. Marriages will place you under servitude. You will never become a master while someone else is the master of you.
Unless you are marrying for political reasons, save it for retirement. It’s something you should think about only after the campaign is over. Unless you are consolidating powers, marriage will likely cripple you.
Rookie mistake #8: Isolation.
Those who commit the rookie mistake of isolation are among the easiest enemies to vanquish.
With no connections, you are nobody. It’s not about who you are. It’s about who you know. Never isolate yourself from your team. They will never trust you that way. You’ll never notice if the people around you are acting strange or not. If an internal conflict occurred, it would be beyond your capacity to resolve it.
If you are isolated, you are easily betrayed. You would insult those who support you. You would be the last to know when a problem occurred. You would be completely out of touch with your people. If someone in your camp were plotting against you, you would never see it coming. Once you isolate yourself, you are one swift brutality away from defeat. The greater your power, the more damning the punishment for isolation. In a game of chess, the first step to victory is to isolate the enemy king. Never isolate yourself. This way, no plot will escape your notice. Your enemies will not be able to reach you.
The easiest way to isolate yourself is by not trusting a single person. No matter how great you become. Alone, you are nothing. Another way to isolate yourself is to treat everyone the same. This is more off-putting than you may realize. You are insinuating that there is nothing noteworthy of their character. That’s the wrong way to handle your team.
To trick an enemy into isolating themselves, you must make them question something they are certain of. One of the best ways of accomplishing this would be winning over someone adjacent to them. This is why we spare the people we defeat. Once they have walled themselves off, they have effectively boxed themselves in. This is when you set up for a checkmate.
Rookie mistake #9: Addiction
Also known as “tweaking” or “being a bastard”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of addiction end up becoming a danger to all around them. An addict no longer has control of themselves. Everything and everyone could burn as long as they get their fix. Greed has corrupted your spirit in its entirety. You are lost.
It is a cold war tactic to pump addictive substances into the enemy mainland. As the country tears itself apart, the substance will eventually spread into enemy camps, weakening the fighting force. Addicts know no loyalty and can be bought for very cheap.
Addiction will screw up your priorities and ruin everything you worked for. Your only defense against addiction is your dignity. Your dignity is the only thing stopping you from becoming the scum of the earth. Your dignity will not let you forget what matters. Your dignity would not allow anything to have control over you. Dignity is the most basic expression of love. Without love, there is no counter to greed.
Rookie mistake #10: Gambling
Also known as “underestimation”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of gambling will suffer a critical hit. Gambling is the ultimate act of stupidity. It is often caused by boredom or a lack of patience. Our ability to make rational decisions is what separated us from the rest of the animals. Risk mismanagement is a killer of many campaigns. Know the difference between gambling and taking a risk.
We like to think that those who are down on their luck are the ones most likely to gamble. But believe it or not, it’s the ones who are on a winning streak who are the usual suspects. They just don’t know when to stop. Your greatest insurance against gambling is your spiritual fortitude. Your patience. There is no way to trick an enemy into gambling unless you sense greed within them. However, if you encounter a gambler, do not allow them to pull you into their game. Always fight on your terms.
Rookie mistake #11: Swaggering
Also known as “aura farming” or “showing off”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of swaggering place their own lives at risk. Swaggering is a lot like gambling, but with your life. While swaggering, you are at your lamest despite how cool you think you look. Swaggering will have you talking far too much. You would talk yourself right out of a job or a date. You would tell your opponent exactly what they needed to know.
While swaggering, you are being inconsistent with your character. Children have swag. Adults are supposed to have class. Swaggering puts all the attention on you in the most undignified manner. You are essentially sacrificing yourself. Swaggering marks the end of success. You’ve peaked, essentially. Those with growing to do usually remain humble. Eventually, your downfall will become a collective wish, and the heroes will begin lining up.
Once you’ve spoken too much, you have placed yourself at the mercy of the listener. This is what swaggering does to you. There will come plenty of times when someone will try to provoke you. Your real enemies want to see you swaggering. Why would you give them what they want? The bigger they pretend to be, the smaller you should treat them. Like a barking dog who wants to play. Give them a nickname or something. Make it a cute one.
Power does not debate. Do not allow a debate to happen. A debate is a swaggering contest. Since each side will never concede, there is no actual way of winning a debate. On the other hand, if you are trying to force your opponent into swaggering, start a debate. Pick a fight about something you know for a fact they will not back down about. Strike a sore spot. Once the debate gets heated, dare them to prove something. Double dare them. A swaggering opponent will foolishly fight on someone else’s terms.
Rookie mistake #12: Rushing
Those who commit the rookie mistake of rushing will defeat themselves in battle. Timing is everything. It is often the difference between rival competitors. It is often the difference between life and death. If you are rushing, time is impossible to calculate.
The tricky thing about timing is that everyone around you is moving according to their own timing. You will need patience if you are going to sync your timing with those around you. Time and positioning often dictate what you must do.
People like to rush when fixing an oversight. This often causes further oversights, which will prompt you to rush around even more. This will end up slowing you down worse than if you had just taken your time. Instead of keeping up, you’ll constantly find yourself playing catch up. To a master an oversight isn’t a cause for affliction. It is simply a loose end that must be tied up.
If you can’t dictate your schedule, you are not in control. When rushing, you are blind. Anyone can beat a blind opponent. This is why it is important to disrupt the timing of those who stand against you. Timing is especially important during the endgame. The endgame is where legends are born. To reach an endgame, sacrifices had to be made on both sides. Talking it out is no longer an option. There are no more timeouts. It is officially “down to the wire.” In a fierce competition, the victor is often decided by a narrow margin. One false move could ruin everything. To test the patience of an opponent, force them to wait. Having control of the clock is extremely advantageous. If you can’t make them wait, then slow them down. Place obstacles and detours in their path. This essentially forces the enemy into rushing to make up for the time you squandered.
Rookie mistake #13: Certainty
Also known as “smugness”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of certainty will become predictable. Smugness is a special form of foolishness. It is frequently caused by boredom and the perception of abundance. Smugness will turn you into a disrespectful child, believing you are greater than you actually are. Smugness will have your head so far up your own ass that you won’t be able to see what you are doing wrong.
There are plenty of people out there who are dangerously insecure with themselves. Smugness could evoke these insecurities even if it were done unintentionally. You’ll make haters where you could’ve had fans. Smugness is an indicator of a lack of control in oneself.
It is unsafe to believe that everyone around you is an idiot. Certainty comes with the disadvantage of believing that your opponent cannot outsmart you. But what is the very last thing you would expect from an idiot? To trick your opponent into certainty, a sacrifice must be made. If you were defeated in battle, let them win the next as well. Make it a good fight. Set your traps as they continue to press forward. They will be so caught up in their petty victories that they won’t notice when you start losing on purpose.
It is easier to trick a powerful opponent into certainty. A weaker enemy is likelier to smell a trap. Certainty is being sure of the future; but in war, anything could happen. The first to forget that will become the first to fall. Don’t just stop at defeating the enemy. Take measures to win the next 100 battles afterward. Take everything you can. Just being better isn’t good enough. They must be crushed. This isn’t to say you must kill the enemy. Once spared, the enemy life is in your hands. You could do much more than simply killing an enemy. There is significantly more to extract from a living enemy. You could make them work for you. You could even sacrifice them if you wanted. Life is precious. Any weakling can kill their opponent. True power makes everything else it’s bitch.
Rookie mistake #14: Repugnance
Also known as “being good for nothing” or “shitbagging.”
Those who commit the rookie mistake of repugnance will be rendered powerless. Power depends on how many people follow you, not how many you push away. Power is supposed to be attractive, not repulsive. If no one stands with you, you have no power.
There are many ways to come off as repugnant. Such as cockiness, cowardice, throwing a tantrum, being a habitual liar, and being highly manipulative. It’s all about how you carry yourself. Make sure to maintain your body and hygiene. Develop your sense of style if you haven’t already. Speak with less profanity and with more eloquence. Don’t be one of those people who can’t read a room. Don’t be one of those people who treats everyone the same. Don’t be one of those people who never grew up. You’ll only be setting yourself back.
Begging is possibly the most repugnant thing you can do. Begging is an obvious play at emotional manipulation. Favored by the weak. How often have you begged your friends for anything? Are they still your friends? If so, they definitely love you a little less. Power doesn’t beg. Why appeal to your opponent’s mercy and grace when they are likely to have none for you?
Repugnance will have your enemies and friends become cordial with one another. They may even share a good laugh at your expense. Betrayal would be inevitable. In short, repugnance is any showing of weakness. There is no way to trick your opponent into repugnance. They must choose it of their own accord. If they do, take a step back and join the crowd. Allow them to be the center of attention.
Just starting out, you are the most likely to commit this mistake. Especially if you are new to the area or an outsider to a culture. The higher in status you climb, the more unforgivable this mistake becomes. If you are in power and have committed the rookie mistake of repugnance, you have to pin it on someone else. Or you must frame it as if you had no other choice. The hit to your reputation would be too much to risk. Even if not in power, you may have to do this. It may be the only thing that keeps you alive. This is real life we’re talking about.
If you commit repugnance at the beginning stages of power, you may or may not be forgiven for it. But the chances are higher that your growth will be stunted. Because no one will work with you. So, even if just starting out, it is a mistake you should avoid. Your final way out of repugnance is through audacity. “Yeah, I did it, so what?” This may only make things worse for you, but it would only be externally. If shame and regret are tearing you apart internally, you will do something foolish, such as apologizing. If you apologize, you will be forced to make a sacrifice you cannot afford to make. Once you apologize, you are screwed.
Rock bottom
There is a numerical order to these rookie mistakes, but let’s get something clear. Any one of these taboos could ruin everything for you. All are equally damning. The more power you obtain, the worse your punishment will be. There is a high chance that I am quite late in delivering this crucial information to you. Perhaps you’ve already committed a few of these rookie mistakes, and an enemy sent you packing. You live, and you learn. So, for the remainder of this briefing, we will talk about dusting yourself off and trying again.
But before we begin, I would like to give a special warning about “non-players.” These people love appearing pathetic, altruistic, or indifferent. Train your ears for phrases such as “I don’t judge” or “I love everyone” or “I don’t trust anyone.” These people are highly manipulative and will have you jammed up long before you can do anything about it. These people are hiding their true interests from you. Do not trust them. Non-players love treating everyone the same. Non-players strive to be everyone’s friend. Non-players like to think they are the smartest in the room. They are always saying one thing and thinking another. Exposure is the signature move of the non-player. Non-players see honesty as a weapon and would use it only if they had something to gain, such as clout or exoneration. Non-players are the rat bastards of this world.
However, there is one admirable quality about the non-player. The near perfect control that they have over their emotions. You wouldn’t find a better actor even in your favorite movie. They can pretend to be empathetic while being bored to tears. They could smile pleasantly even while full of disdain. They can present themselves perfectly even if they can’t look at themselves in the mirror. If non-players were honorable, they would make perfect elites. Watch yourself around these types.
First things first. You must make a promise to yourself. And that promise is “never again.” You are going to get it right this time. At the very least, you won’t get it wrong anymore. If you can’t pull yourself up, how can you call yourself great? If you stay down, that’s no one else’s fault but your own. Time will pass whether you use it wisely or not. So never again. Promise yourself that right now. Never again will you allow your life to get that bad. Never again will someone else hold your fate in their hands. You will never let that happen again. Ever again.
Building yourself back up…
Once thoroughly defeated, you would have to go through the timely process of relocating and reinventing yourself. Starting over can be exciting, but it is rarely a fun experience. You must go where the competition is the thinnest. It’ll be a long and hard climb back to the top. So first, you must build your stamina with some hill runs. You will have to change your style as well. This doesn’t have to mean that you must change who you are. But those who are starting over are better off with some sort of alter ego they can switch on and off.
Most of the people you see in power are personas of themselves. There’s an odd power in a persona. You and your meager status are a nobody. But your persona could become larger than life. When crafting a persona, it must come from a real place. You aren’t being a poser. Your persona is still you. You aren’t pretending in the slightest. The first step is accepting yourself. Your persona shouldn’t be the opposite of everything you hate about yourself. It should be an exaggerated version of everything you love about yourself.
Your persona should have big dreams. There’s no point in crafting a persona if you aren’t actually trying to accomplish anything. Your persona will need a little magic to pull it off. You need to be able to sell the persona. Don’t walk around acting like a stereotype. You shouldn’t try to be anyone else. Power is original, never copied. Besides, times change. What worked back then will likely be ineffective now. At the very least, it won’t look good on you. Your style must be yours. The best way to outdo everyone is to be the first one to pull something off.
An important part of recreating yourself is picking a style that works for you. That is only possible once you are comfortable in your own skin. You can’t have fun with the way you look until you accept your flaws. Take a second to think about how many styles you can rock. What colors look good on you. Have you ever considered a tailor? Is there an image you can associate your look with? What’s your story?
Don’t walk around with bad posture and a sulky look. The only people who would pay attention to you are those looking for a sucker or a slave. If you don’t believe in yourself, neither will anyone else. Work on making yourself resistant to spiritual pressure. Any insult or compliment should have a minimal effect on you. Those who are truly powerful are calm and self-assured. Power has very little to prove. Does a lion have to convince you that he’s a lion? Stand tall, keep something of a smile on your face, and maintain your spiritual fortitude. Act with dignity, no matter the circumstance.
Stay cool. Not only will it retain your dignity, but being unphased by enemy efforts will drive them mad. Never pass up an opportunity to look like the bigger person. Try to look a little bored when under fire. You choose what bothers you. People need energy. The more you give them, the greater they become. If you are able to brush off an offense, then do so. Brush them off like any other insect. Ignoring someone often stings more than an insult. In many ways, it is the ultimate disrespect. Calling someone an enemy would imply that you respect them in some way. An enemy is too great of a title for someone who’s so far beneath you. Contempt is devastating to those beneath you, but you do not have to be of higher status to make use of your disdain. It is common to encounter people of higher status but of weaker character. The best way to show disdain is through a nonchalant sense of humor. “Oh, you’re still here?” Turning your nose up at them would be too childish of an act. Just refuse to take anything they say seriously. Walk away in the middle of their monologue.
If you must go to war, then end it as swiftly and as thoroughly as possible. Power doesn’t waste time. Be a problem solver. Do not take too long to settle any given issue. Like a drinking problem, if an issue is allowed to fester for long enough, it becomes a weakness for you. Show humility at all times. Once you’ve spared your enemy, express how it could’ve gone either way. Luck always plays a small part in thriving. The only way to convert an enemy into an ally is to acknowledge their strength. It is the greatest compliment you could give anyone.
True power should only strike fear in the hearts of your enemies. The people shouldn’t scatter when they see you coming. Your presence should calm the people around you. The people should be almost happy that you are alive and well. Don’t walk around thinking the world owes you anything. Don’t walk around treating everyone the same. Most importantly, do not associate yourself with those who habitually commit rookie mistakes. Respect is power. If no one respects you, you have no real power.
Never again…
Don’t accept any handouts. Any achievement that is handed to you is rarely respected. Only do for free what you can gain in influence. Everything has a price. Do not forget that. Ever. Nothing creates an obligation quite like a gift. Whenever something is free, you are the product. Real power doesn’t need any favors. A favor is an act of pity. A favor comes from the arrogant belief that you can do nothing without them. Instead of gaining power, a favor is more likely to subjugate you.
Be careful with revealing too much of yourself. You shouldn’t allow just anyone to get too close to you. There should always be a comfortable distance. You never know who tomorrow’s enemy might be. With that in mind, make note of any weaknesses the people around you might reveal about themselves. Do this for everyone: your allies, your rivals, your enemies. Hell, even your friends and family. Have a plan for everyone.
We’ve reached the end. Before you go, some final words. Whatever you can’t have should be the same as worthless to you. Only the things you created with your own power should be considered priceless. Don’t forget how scary change can be. The change you are trying to bring will take a lot of time. As long as you remain patient, time is your ally. Rapid change often leads to a hysteria you will not be able to control, even if the change is for the better. Reform calls for reaction. So take your time. Do not rush the changes you wish to see. Those who tread lightly travel further. Do not appear too far ahead of your time. You’ll risk being misinterpreted. The only thing worse than being too late is rushing. And finally, I must repeat, do not associate yourself with those who habitually commit the rookie mistakes I’ve listed here today. Remember the promise you made to yourself. Never again.
References and photos
The 48 laws of power – Robert Greene
Courage the cowardly dog – John Russell Dilworth
Bob’s Burgers – Loren Bouchard
Minions- Eric Guillon
Green Lantern – DC Studios
Grand Theft Auto San Andreas- Rockstar Games
Dragonball – Akira Toriyama
Solo Leveling -Chugong