#017 – Vary the Mode of Action
Vary the Mode of Action; not always the same way, so as to distract attention, especially if there be a rival. Not always from first impulse; they will soon recognise the uniformity, and by anticipating, frustrate your designs. It is easy to kill a bird on the wing that flies straight: not so one that twists. Nor always act on second thoughts: they can discern the plan the second time. The enemy is on the watch, great skill is required to circumvent him. The gamester never plays the card the opponent expects, still less that which he wants.
This is a fun passage for me to think about. It reminds me of the famous poison goblet scene in the movie “The Princess Bride”. I would actually like to focus on the later part of this passage: “Nor always act on the second thoughts..” As coaches, there are a lot of times we have Plan A and Plan B. I feel we put too much stock in the fact that our opponents will be caught off-guard with Plan B. The truth of the matter is that if our opponents were smart enough to figure out and plan for Plan A, they most likely would be prepared for Plan B. Do not be afraid to start with Plan C or even Plan D. You do not have to cycle through Plan A and B to get there. In a crazy plot twist, your Plan A can end up becoming your Plan B or C. I liken this whole concept to old British military tactics. The entire world knew they would line up in rows and basically try brute-force attacks in multiple waves. Once opponents realized they did not have to fight on those terms and became creative, they were able to defeat larger British armies. Thus, the British had to change their tactics and fighting styles. As a coach, have you been using the same tactics and becoming predictable? Is going to your “Plan B”, just as predictable? How can you mix it up?
This blog series is based on the book “The Art of Worldly Wisdom” by Balthasar Gracián. This book was written for advice on how to achieve personal and professional success. The goal of this blog series is to visit the points of wisdom and put them in the spotlight of the coaching and education lens.
