(synthesized from original Sun Zi Bing Fa 'Sun Tzu Art of War')
(Created by Andy Ng — Speaker, Trainer, Author of “Win Without Fighting” and 'Sun Tzu Sales Secrets)
🌕 I. DAO REALM – The Way and Preparation
(Purpose, Alignment, Wisdom before Action)
1. Know Yourself and Your Enemy
Quote: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Interpretation: Clarity is the root of power. Self-awareness brings confidence; knowing others brings timing. Ignorance creates fear.
Coaching Question: What do I truly know about myself and my opponent in this situation?
Action: Spend one hour observing patterns — your emotions, your triggers, and the system you’re dealing with.
2. Win Before You Fight
Quote: “The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won.”
Interpretation: True mastery lies in preparation so thorough that success becomes inevitable.
Coaching Question: How can I make the outcome certain before I even begin?
Action: Strengthen foundations — skill, allies, knowledge — before entering conflict.
3. Build Moral Authority (Dao)
Quote: “The Dao causes the people to be in harmony with their ruler.”
Interpretation: Leadership begins with inner virtue. When people believe in your purpose, effort multiplies.
Coaching Question: What inner principle guides my leadership?
Action: Reconnect with your highest intent — what “good” are you serving through this mission?
4. Shape Conditions Before Action
Quote: “The skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible.”
Interpretation: Don’t fight unfavorable conditions. Change the terrain first.
Coaching Question: What can I influence around me so that success becomes natural?
Action: Modify the environment, resources, or timing before taking action.
5. Use Calculations (Ji)
Quote: “He who makes many calculations before battle will win.”
Interpretation: Thinking is your first weapon. Every scenario you foresee is a danger neutralized.
Coaching Question: Have I considered enough possible outcomes?
Action: Write three possible plans — best, normal, and worst — and prepare for all three.
6. Avoid Uncertain Battles
Quote: “He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.”
Interpretation: Wisdom is restraint. Walking away can be a strategic move, not weakness.
Coaching Question: What battle am I fighting that I can actually choose not to?
Action: Pause; focus only on battles worth your spirit.
🌊 II. QI REALM – Positioning and Energy
(Momentum, Flexibility, Invisible Advantage)
7. Form and Formlessness
Quote: “Shape your army to be formless; then the enemy cannot plan against you.”
Interpretation: Power comes from unpredictability. Be adaptable.
Coaching Question: Where have I become too predictable?
Action: Change one habit or pattern others expect from you.
8. Direct and Indirect Approaches
Quote: “In battle, there are only direct and indirect methods, yet their combinations give rise to endless variations.”
Interpretation: Success comes from blending hard and soft actions — Yin and Yang.
Coaching Question: Am I over-relying on direct effort or subtle influence?
Action: Add one indirect move — such as alliance, timing, or diversion — to your plan.
9. Create Advantage Through Potential (Shi)
Quote: “The expert in battle uses his potential energy as rolling logs or stones.”
Interpretation: Momentum wins more than effort. Set things rolling, and energy multiplies itself.
Coaching Question: What potential energy have I already built that I can now release?
Action: Activate dormant resources — reputation, allies, or timing — today.
10. Conserve Energy
Quote: “The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.”
Interpretation: Stay centered. Don’t let reactions drain you.
Coaching Question: Where am I losing energy through reaction or resistance?
Action: Detach emotionally; observe instead of fighting every wave.
11. Use Terrain Wisely
Quote: “He who knows Tian and Di will be victorious.”
Interpretation: Know your context. Right place and timing equal half the victory.
Coaching Question: What “terrain” (industry, mindset, audience) am I standing on now?
Action: Adjust position — physically, socially, or strategically — to one that supports you.
12. Conceal Intent
Quote: “All warfare is based on deception.”
Interpretation: Protect your vision by silence. Too much revelation invites opposition.
Coaching Question: What is better kept private until ready?
Action: Share less. Let results, not promises, reveal your strength.
🧠 III. ZHI REALM – Strategy and Intelligence
(Movement, Planning, Flexibility)
13. Control Movement by Advantage
Quote: “The general who wins makes many calculations before battle.”
Interpretation: Control timing. Move only when the advantage is clear.
Coaching Question: Am I reacting or choosing the rhythm?
Action: Wait one extra day before the next big decision; let timing mature.
14. Divide and Conquer
Quote: “Engage the whole with a part.”
Interpretation: Don’t fight the entire mountain; chip away at one corner.
Coaching Question: Which part of this challenge can I solve first?
Action: Break your task into one decisive part that shifts the whole.
15. Timing and Speed
Quote: “Let your rapidity be that of the wind.”
Interpretation: Speed is power. Hesitation loses opportunities.
Coaching Question: What action can I take within 24 hours?
Action: Execute immediately on one insight that you’ve delayed.
16. Adapt to Change
Quote: “In war, there is no constant condition.”
Interpretation: Rigidity is defeat. Flexibility is life.
Coaching Question: What am I resisting that’s actually changing anyway?
Action: Reframe the situation; see it as movement, not loss.
17. Know the Terrain
Quote: “Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will be complete.”
Interpretation: Wisdom begins with context. Every success is environmental.
Coaching Question: Do I truly know the environment I’m operating in?
Action: Study your market, people, or timing deeper than before.
18. Secure Alliances and Morale
Quote: “Treat your men as beloved sons, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys.”
Interpretation: People are your true power. Connection wins wars.
Coaching Question: Who needs encouragement or recognition from me today?
Action: Appreciate one ally sincerely. Loyalty begins there.
🛡 IV. XING REALM – Formation and Execution
(Organization, Leadership, Discipline)
19. Build Cohesion Through Order
Quote: “Order and disorder depend on organization.”
Interpretation: Chaos outside means disorder inside. Structure brings peace.
Coaching Question: Where in my system or team do I need better structure?
Action: Create one clear rule, SOP, or ritual today.
20. Inspire Through Leadership
Quote: “The commander stands for wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness.”
Interpretation: True leadership balances heart and firmness.
Coaching Question: Which of these five virtues do I need more of now?
Action: Demonstrate that quality in one decision today.
21. Maintain Unity in Diversity
Quote: “When troops are united, the brave and the coward share the same spirit.”
Interpretation: Diversity requires alignment of purpose.
Coaching Question: What unites my people beyond individual differences?
Action: Remind your team of the shared vision.
22. Reward and Punish Wisely
Quote: “If rewards are clear and punishments certain, the army will be united.”
Interpretation: Justice sustains morale. Love must have boundaries.
Coaching Question: Am I too lenient or too harsh?
Action: Adjust your response system — fair, firm, and transparent.
23. Control Chaos Through Calm
Quote: “Amid turmoil, keep order.”
Interpretation: Calmness is command. Emotion never leads well.
Coaching Question: How can I anchor myself when things get noisy?
Action: Practice 3 deep breaths before every key interaction.
24. Seize Initiative by Flexibility
Quote: “Water shapes its course according to the ground.”
Interpretation: Victory favors the responsive, not the rigid.
Coaching Question: Where can I pivot quickly to gain advantage?
Action: Make one small but bold change today.
☯️ V. TIAN REALM – Adaptation and Deception
(Timing, Perception, Psychological Strategy)
25. Attack the Enemy’s Strategy
Quote: “To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”
Interpretation: Break minds, not bodies. Influence is greater than confrontation.
Coaching Question: How can I dissolve this conflict without direct fight?
Action: Redirect the opponent’s focus; win mentally, not physically.
26. Exploit Weakness, Avoid Strength
Quote: “Strike at the gaps.”
Interpretation: Efficiency lies in precision. Don’t waste energy on the strong points.
Coaching Question: Where is the easiest point of entry or opportunity?
Action: Focus your next move where resistance is lowest.
27. Make the Enemy Move First
Quote: “Provoke him to reveal himself.”
Interpretation: Patience can turn power. Let others show their hand first.
Coaching Question: Can I hold silence long enough to see the truth emerge?
Action: Delay your response; let others expose their motives.
28. Appear Weak When Strong
Quote: “When capable, feign incapacity.”
Interpretation: Understatement protects strength. Humility wins trust.
Coaching Question: Where can I lower my presence to increase influence?
Action: Withdraw slightly; let others underestimate you.
29. Strike Where Unprepared
Quote: “Attack him where he is unready, appear where you are not expected.”
Interpretation: Innovation is surprise in motion.
Coaching Question: What fresh idea can I deploy where no one expects?
Action: Launch one unconventional initiative today.
30. Turn Crisis into Advantage
Quote: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
Interpretation: Every disaster hides a seed of power.
Coaching Question: What hidden benefit is this challenge showing me?
Action: Reframe one problem as training for greatness.
🌸 VI. SHENG REALM – Victory and Completion
(Wisdom, Sustainability, Peace After Success)
31. Win Hearts, Not Just Battles
Quote: “To fight and conquer is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.”
Interpretation: Influence outlives force. Win goodwill, not just war.
Coaching Question: Who’s heart must I win to create lasting success?
Action: Practice empathy — listen instead of convincing.
32. Use Spies and Knowledge
Quote: “Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from spirits; it must be obtained from men who know the enemy’s situation.”
Interpretation: Information is light. Ignorance blinds.
Coaching Question: What do I need to find out before I move?
Action: Ask or research — do not assume.
33. Reward Wisdom and Initiative
Quote: “Reward those who foresee and act.”
Interpretation: Talent blooms when appreciated. Recognition fuels innovation.
Coaching Question: Who around me deserves recognition now?
Action: Publicly praise or privately thank someone’s smart move.
34. Preserve Resources and People
Quote: “When you plunder the countryside, divide the spoils among your men.”
Interpretation: Sustainability matters. Success shared is success multiplied.
Coaching Question: How can I protect and nurture my key assets?
Action: Invest in people, rest, or systems before your next move.
35. Integrate Tian, Di and Dao
Quote: “The skillful warrior wins through the balance of Tian (timing), Di (resources), and Dao (purpose).”
Interpretation: Balance is power. Disconnection is defeat.
Coaching Question: Which element — purpose, environment, or timing — needs realignment?
Action: Take one day to pause, realign, and reset your energy.
36. End the War with Peace
Quote: “In peace prepare for war; in war prepare for peace.”
Interpretation: The highest victory is harmony. Completion brings new beginnings.
Coaching Question: What conflict in my life needs closure today?
Action: Forgive, release, and declare your internal peace.
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