仕事 武士道 ::: Business Bushidō  {EMAIL TRANSCRIPTS FROM MARS}

 Wednesday, 24 April, 2013 7:58 AM

Hey, hey, bhoozho...For some strategic and creative pondering - I'm going send one quote a day, from various ancient samurai documents, until I return to Japan at the end of May. /// I will do so, as many of these old Bushido (way of the warrior) thoughts/ideals can be related to our daily work/business (strategic thinking/creative process). The first one I've selected is to follow up on Monday's discussion about corporate communication.

And so it begins.

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Communication

"When writing a letter, one should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll.” - Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Thursday, 25 April, 2013 7:13 AM

Yesterdays quote was taken from the "Hagakure" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. I could share many interesting/inspiring words from him. /// Switching it up this morning with a 'jisei' (death poem). Death is always on the mind of the intense warrior (and the peaceful monk). /// It was common practice for the warrior class to speak, write or scream out their last words right at the verge of dying. /// For us, we can creatively associate 'death' in these writings to our 'final product'.

Production

My whole life long I've sharpened my swordAnd now, face to face with death,

I unsheathe it, and lo-

The blade is broken-

Alas!

- Dairin Soto (1568)

NOTE: pay attention to details, from beginning (ideation) to end (execution). Input to output... Do not slow your excitement after the concept is sold in. Final production is as important as the idea. Otherwise, it's like focusing on the glimmer of the sword and not seeing the chips in the blade. :::v

Friday, 26 April, 2013 7:19 AM

Happy Friday/end of week ---

For a samurai, everyday is the same. Another day to serve, as if it was your last… And to be remembered at your best.

Even off duty, one is on service/being watched. There are so many writings/teachings about maintaining character/demeanour. --- However, if the night gets wild. ;p

Time Off"When selecting a partner from a number of prostitutes, pick one who is unattractive and whose dress is less comely..."

- Hojo Shigetoki, 1198-1261

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A bit of a weird one. But it's Friday. ;p If interested, I can personally share his entire thought (it has an interesting twist), but for me this line says - embrace the weekend, but throughout do not lose the samurai heart/spirit when surrounded by bling and glitter.

:::v

Monday, 29 April, 2013 7:20 AM

Hello Monday, Being the beginning of the week, I wanted to share a good quote. I flipped through a bunch of books and pages, but I couldn't select one. I caught myself thinking like… “how about this one, how about that one...” I was taking too long to decide!!! This poor action of mine reminded me of:

>>> Thought Processing "One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths... When matters are done leisurely, seven out of ten will turn out badly. A warrior is a person who does things quickly."

- Yamamoto Tsunetomo

We need to be quick on our toes when answering questions, presenting concepts, making creative decisions... Waste no time of oneself or others.

:::v

Tuesday, 30 April, 2013 7:35 AM

To close this month, I'd like to circle back onto communication. A samurai's second area of training was poetry and writing. We can link this to the short sword (a blade used in close quarters and beheading opponents).

>>> Communication

"A person who has not studied poetry is the poorer for this lack, and thus one should study it. Always be genteel in speaking. One can show the inmost self by a single word."

"After I took up the attitude of a retainer, I never sat sloppily whether at home or in some other place. Neither did I speak, but if there was something that could not be done properly without words, I made effort to settle things by putting ten words into one."

When using the short sword, there are no elaborate moves. Strikes are direct and to the point. Beauty and depth in simplicity... We must be pity and to the point with our writing. ::: One more quote from the greatest swordsman.

“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able to actually cut him.”

Wednesday, 1 May, 2013 6:41 AM

I would like to relate today's quote selection to, Speaking to/with Client. I will not describe my selection much further then that, as Musashi wrote,

“understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.” >>> Client Interactions

"In connection with military matters, one must never say that something can absolutely not be done. By this, the limitations of one's heart will be exposed."

"For a warrior, there is nothing distressing about hearing of something and fleeing. To see something and flee, however, is a great evil."

Thursday, 2 May, 2013 7:10 AM

"In the generation of Lord Katsushige there were retainers who, regardless of high or low rank, were requested to do work before the master from the time they were young... Once the master was clipping his nails, when Shiba Kizaemon was doing such service, and said, "Throw these away." Kizaemon held them in his hand but did not stand up. The master asked "What's the matter?!" Kizaemon replied, "There is one missing." The master said, "Here it is." and handed over the one that he had hidden."

Friday, 3 May, 2013 7:03 AM

For me, yesterday's short story about Kazaemon brings about many strategic thoughts. The simplest - imagine you're always being tested. By your peers, superiors and most importantly your opponents/clients. Analyze everything! Be prepared. Test yourself. ::: Always be on guard.>>> 5 Kinds of Guard
"The five kinds of guard are the upper position, middle position, lower position, right-hand guard and left hand guard. Although the guard may be divided into five kinds, all of them have the same purpose of killing people. ... Whatever guard you adopt/use, do not think of it as being on guard; think of it as part of the act of killing."

Monday, 6 May, 2013 8:29 AM

"Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.”

"They say a good carver of images always uses a slightly blunt knife."

Tuesday May 7th 2013 7:03 AM

Planning our workload and forecasting deliverables kinda opens my stress door. However, you have all been soldiering hard and helping maintain a decent flow. Thank you deeply. :)

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When the workload intensifies next month (as forecasted) and if we become stressed, it would be good to remember these words...